The new book, Grit: The Life and Politics of Paul Martin Sr. (UBC Press, 2015) is discussed by its author Greg Donaghy, and Joseph Planta.
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Grit: The Life and Politics of Paul Martin Sr. by Greg Donaghy (UBC Press, 2015).
Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Grit [1] |
Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:
I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.
A new book looks at the life of Paul Martin Sr. No, not the guy who was prime minister before Harper and after Chretien. Paul Martin Sr. was that guy’s dad. The book is called Grit: The Life and Politics of Paul Martin Sr. It’s a full length biography of the Liberal MP from Windsor, Ontario, who served in the House of Commons from 1935 to 1968. He was appointed to the Senate in 1968 by Pierre Trudeau, where he served until 1974. Martin served in the cabinets of William Lyon Mackenzie King, Louis St. Laurent, Lester Pearson, and Pierre Trudeau. He ran for the leadership of the Liberal Party three times: 1948, 1958, and 1968 and lost each time. Perhaps that’s why he’s forgotten, but his accomplishments as a cabinet minister are remarkable, and are all discussed in this new book. Its author Greg Donaghy joins me now. He’s written a great biography that looks at this remarkable figure in Canadian political history, that also gives us some insight into the Liberal Party of Canada, and those years where Martin was a significant player on the federal scene. I’ll get Mr. Donaghy to tell us about this book, as well why we need to know about Paul Martin Sr. This book is part of the C.D. Howe Series in Canadian Political History, which is published by UBC Press. The series of books edited by Robert Bothwell and John English will provide fresh perspectives on Canadian political history and public policy. This book is a great place to start. Greg Donaghy is Head of the Historical Section, and Deputy Director of the Policy Research Division at Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada. He was educated at the University of Toronto, Carleton, and the University of Waterloo. He has authored and edited numerous scholarly articles. A previous book includes Tolerant Allies: Canada and the United States, 1963-1968. He is the recipient of the Diamond Jubilee Medal, and the Medal of Freedom from the Hungarian Government. Please welcome to the Planta: On the Line program, in Toronto, Greg Donaghy; Dr. Donaghy, good morning.
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