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Book Description
Once voted the greatest Canadian of all time, Tommy Douglas was a prairie politician who believed in democratic socialism, the crucial role of civil rights, and the great potential of cooperation for the common good. He is best known as the “Father of Medicare.” Born in 1904, Douglas was a championship boxer and a Baptist minister who later exchanged his pulpit for a political platform. A powerful orator and tireless activist, he sat first as a federal MP and then served for 17 years as premier of Saskatchewan, where he introduced the universal health-insurance system that would eventually be adopted across Canada. As leader of the national NDP, he was a staunch advocate of programs such as the Canada Pension Plan and was often the conscience of Parliament on matters of civil liberties. In the process, he made democratic socialism a part of mainstream Canadian political life. Giller Prize–winning author Vincent Lam, an emergency physician who works on the front lines of the health-care system, brings a novelist's eye to the life of one of Canada's greats.
About the Author
John Ralston Saul is Canada’s leading public intellectual. Declared a “prophet” by Time magazine, Saul has received many awards and prizes, including Chile’s Pablo Neruda Medal. He is president of PEN International, and his thirteen works have been translated into twenty-two languages in thirty countries.
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Most helpful customer reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Trusted Warrior!,
By Ian Gordon Malcomson (Victoria, BC) - See all my reviews (HALL OF FAME) (TOP 10 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)
This review is from: Tommy Douglas (Extraordinary Canadians) (Hardcover)
My connection with the Douglas legacy goes away back to 1955 when I attended the opening ceremonies for the Lloydminster High School where my dad taught. It just so happened that Premier Tommy Douglas was in attendance that night as the guest of the keynote speaker and guest of honor. Though never a committed socialist, I have grown up with great respect for the man's political views and his consuming passion for defending the underdog in society. Vincent Lam's biography, "Tommy Douglas", serves as a fitting tribute to a politician who had a conscience when it came to taking a stand on the tough issues. Fairness, objectivity, courage, resolve, and vision could all be apt words to describe the various crusades Douglas led over his extended political career in defense of freedom, human dignity, and equality. While Lam's book effectively covers all the well-known biographical highlights of Douglas's life from the time he arrived in North Winnipeg from Scotland as a young boy to his time as pastor of a Baptist church in Saskatchewan during the Great Depression to his time in Ottawa as one of the early CCF members in parliament to his public service as a provincial premier and the founder of Medicare, he offers some very special insights into the man's character. Douglas was a very skilled orator who learned his trade under the auspices of some very qualified public figures. He also had a photographic memory which assisted him in dealing with public issues at the local, regional and national levels. He also was a very willing and quick learner when it came to becoming a very dedicated legislator. As a protege of the Social Gospel movement of the 1920s, Douglas saw his calling in life to help improve the lot of the downtrodden here on earth in readiness for Christ's future millennial kingdom. To that end, the introduction of affordable medicine through the implementation of socialized health insurance in Saskatchewan and later across Canada during the sixties will forever remain this man's crowning achievement. Lam's account of the events leading up to this remarkable moment are a poignant reminder of Douglas's tenacity to follow through on a commitment. Even after returning to federal politics as the newly-elected leader of the NDP, and then as backbencher, Douglas never failed to keep his foot to the pedal when it came to supporting causes espousing the rights and freedoms of the common man. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an ideal role model in the too-often murky world of politics.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tommy Douglas by Vincent Lam,
This review is from: Tommy Douglas (Extraordinary Canadians) (Hardcover)
A well researched and thoughtful literary review of the life and achievements of Tommy Douglas, yet set in the style of an absorbing novel, which I could not put down after starting to read it. From this book, I discover that this great Canadian is much more than the 'father' of universal health care in Canada. He is a humanist, great orator and capable administrator. I recommend this book to anyone who is interested in an important part of the Canadian history.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
5.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review) 1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Tommy Douglas Health Care Pioneer,
By Edwin D. Lawson - Published on Amazon.com
Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)
This review is from: Tommy Douglas (Extraordinary Canadians) (Hardcover)
Excellent presentation describing a great Canadian leader whose influence is felt until today. Tells of his early struggles with his own health and development of his concept of a government health plan.
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