In the straight-shooting, uncomplicated world of the neo-conservative, Brooke Jeffrey is the Other. She is a political science professor, a former federal bureaucrat, and a one-time Liberal candidate. Now she has written a book, assessing the neo-conservative movement from her vantage point. She does not like it; its adherents probably do not like her.

Jeffrey takes a solid approach to her topic, but her execution is less than satisfying. She takes an in-depth look at the rise of right wing ideology in the United States and Britain and how it evolved within the political philosophy of Canada. To Jeffrey, neo-conservativism is embodied by Preston Manning of the Reform Party, and the two Progressive Conservative premiers, Mike Harris of Ontario and Alberta’s Ralph Klein.

Her research into the policies of the three men is detailed. She recounts Manning’s inability to handle dissent, which led to the departure of senior staff and MPs; the Harris government’s inattention to detail – it named a young criminal during a Throne Speech in violation of the Young Offenders Act; and the subtle differences between Alberta, which tends to reject federal intervention, and the other provinces.

However, Jeffrey too often repeats herself. An incident mentioned at the beginning of a chapter will be cited again before the section concludes; chapters do not flow gracefully into one another.

At times, she adopts a defensive tone. For example, in recounting her 1993 candidacy in British Columbia against Reformer Darrel Stinson, and her subsequent loss, Jeffrey comes across as bitter about her defeat.

This book will be an adequate reference for authors of future tomes of political science. On its own, however, it is a disappointment.