Bennett: A Remarkable Life. (Key Porter Books: to be released in March 2010.)

This will be the first major biography of R. B. Bennett, Canada’s 11th and perhaps most controversial prime minister who led the country through the worst years of the Great Depression. The book challenges the general consensus about Bennett. It argues that he led a fascinating and productive life as a tremendously successful businessman who made positive contributions as a member of territorial and provincial governments, a federal cabinet minister, and finally as a visionary prime minister. He donated millions to charities, moved to England where he played an important role in the Second World War, and was appointed to the House of Lords. It was indeed a remarkable life.

. Into the Hurricane: Attacking Socialism and the CCF (J. Gordon Shillingford Publishing, 2006.)


The book invited Canadians to consider how their political opinions are manipulated by exploring the manner in which the CCF was buffeted by well organized and financed campaigns from the right and left that sought to crush CCF and the ideas that it was presenting. It was well received and is on a number of university reading lists.

“Into the Hurricane is a brilliant and refreshing account of the troubling lengths to which power elites sought to suppress the CCF’s vision of a more equitable Canada.” – Jack Layton, Leader of the Federal NDP

Last Steps to Freedom: The Evolution of Canadian Racism (J. Gordon Shillingford Publishing, 1998.)

The book examined Canada’s racist past while celebrating progress. It became widely read across the country, has been quoted in the House of Commons and in a royal commission hearing, and is now used by many groups struggling for a non-racist future. It is also on a number of university reading lists.

“Excellent.” – Canadian Forum

Politics: Conflict and Compromise (Oxford University Press, 1990.)

It quickly became the standard senior level politics text in secondary schools across Canada. It is still used in many schools and boards including for New Brunswick’s province-wide distance education politics course