- Hardcover: 224 pages
- Publisher: Douglas & McIntyre; First Edition edition (Feb 9 2009)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 1553651243
- ISBN-13: 978-1553651246
- Product Dimensions: 21.8 x 14.5 x 2 cm
- Shipping Weight: 408 g
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: #155,283 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Product Details |
Product Description
Quill & Quire
As manifestos go, Rudyard Griffiths’ new book isn’t quite as bold as history’s more famous examples. Who We Are offers a few ideas for reforming Canadian citizenship, which Griffiths believes will serve to strengthen Canada’s weakened social bonds and better prepare it for the main challenges of the future – climate change, immigration, and the socioeconomic stresses of Canada’s aging population. Griffiths is shrewd enough to admit that citizenship may seem like a “dubious rallying point.” But he doesn’t do enough to dissuade potentially unconvinced readers from that notion. He proposes a series of reforms to the institutions of citizenship – including mandatory voting, mandatory national civic service for young people, and a national civics exam – that are already employed in a number of other jurisdictions. None of these suggestions are especially objectionable, or particularly helpful. The most significant problem with Griffiths’ argument is that it appears to be based on little more than a longstanding hunch. More than a decade ago, he co-founded the Dominion Institute, a group “dedicated to creating active and informed citizens through greater knowledge and appreciation of the Canadian story.” You may know them best for their annual polls, which get attention from the press – usually right before Canada Day – for illustrating how little Canadians know about their history. (My favourite, included in the book, is that fewer than half of Canadians between the age of 18 and 24 “could name John A. Macdonald as our first prime minister.”) The problem with using measures of political and civic knowledge like the surveys commissioned by the Dominion Institute and repeatedly cited in Who We Are is that, in isolation, they are meaningless. Of course, on the surface, it seems like it would be a good thing if a greater percentage of young people knew more about our history. But Griffiths offers no firm evidence that there is any causal link between Canada’s seemingly low levels of civic engagement and the public’s knowledge of its national institutions, symbols, and traditions. As a result, it is unlikely that Griffiths’ manifesto will serve as a rallying point for anything.
Review
"A must-read for every Canadian concerned about where we are headed as a nation." (Rick Mercer 20090324)
"Who We Are's diagnosis of the postnational predicament is compelling, refreshing and highly relevant...While Who We Are doesn't present all the answers, it does us an enormous service by opening up the debate. Taking on myths might seem very un-Canadian, but in writing this book, Griffiths distinguishes himself as one of the very best Canadians of his generation." (Globe & Mail 20090401)
"[Griffiths] book melds logical clarity with truly excellent prose." (Inside Queen's Park 20090407)
"Who We Are: A Citizen's Manifesto isn't only about who we are but also about who, in Griffiths opinion, we ought to be." (National Post 20090416)
"In this provocative work, Griffiths argues that at this critical juncture Canadians need to rediscover our country's founding principles -- robust civic values and social solidarity -- so that we can create a movement of passionate citizenship, one which will keep us accountable not just to our neighbourhoods and cities, but to our country." (Argyle Magazine 20090509)
"Who We Are is a bold and sometimes provocative book: while rejecting crude nationalism, Griffiths insists that multicultural Canada in a complicated, often volatile world is best served by a more robust idea of citizenship and a stronger allegiance to its traditions and institutions...it is...the starting point of a conversation that we can only ignore at our peril." (The Walrus )
"In his new book Who We Are...Rudyard Griffiths challenges Canadians to rediscover the founding principals of Canadian nationhood and revitalize our sense of citizenship." (Financial Post )
"An eloquent and hard-headed argument for reinventing a shared vision of what it means to be Canadian." (Margaret Wente )
"A genuine cri de coeur...for a new and better Canada written by one of the brightest stars of the rising generation." (J.L. Granatstein )
"Who We Are's diagnosis of the postnational predicament is compelling, refreshing and highly relevant...While Who We Are doesn't present all the answers, it does us an enormous service by opening up the debate. Taking on myths might seem very un-Canadian, but in writing this book, Griffiths distinguishes himself as one of the very best Canadians of his generation." (Globe & Mail 20090401)
"[Griffiths] book melds logical clarity with truly excellent prose." (Inside Queen's Park 20090407)
"Who We Are: A Citizen's Manifesto isn't only about who we are but also about who, in Griffiths opinion, we ought to be." (National Post 20090416)
"In this provocative work, Griffiths argues that at this critical juncture Canadians need to rediscover our country's founding principles -- robust civic values and social solidarity -- so that we can create a movement of passionate citizenship, one which will keep us accountable not just to our neighbourhoods and cities, but to our country." (Argyle Magazine 20090509)
"Who We Are is a bold and sometimes provocative book: while rejecting crude nationalism, Griffiths insists that multicultural Canada in a complicated, often volatile world is best served by a more robust idea of citizenship and a stronger allegiance to its traditions and institutions...it is...the starting point of a conversation that we can only ignore at our peril." (The Walrus )
"In his new book Who We Are...Rudyard Griffiths challenges Canadians to rediscover the founding principals of Canadian nationhood and revitalize our sense of citizenship." (Financial Post )
"An eloquent and hard-headed argument for reinventing a shared vision of what it means to be Canadian." (Margaret Wente )
"A genuine cri de coeur...for a new and better Canada written by one of the brightest stars of the rising generation." (J.L. Granatstein )
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Most helpful customer reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A book that should be a manditory read for ALL Canadians,
This review is from: Who We Are (Hardcover)
This book brings to light what some are saying behind closed doors. There is nothing this author has said that I do not agree with. This book should be a MUST read for EVERY Canadian or persons who WANT to become Canadian. We have become so polite to the point of door-mat. It is time that people are reminded that this country although young, is still a Country with their traditions/Canadianisms-That should be respected and embrassed without question above all that has been left behind for what ever reason. Celebrate all that you are behind closed doors; but, when you step out-you step out as a Canadian and nothing else.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must read,
By An Active Reader (Toronto) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Who We Are (Hardcover)
Who We Are is an intelligent, provocative book that poses essential questions about the future strength of our country and whether or not we will be able to meet the challenges ahead. Griffiths makes the case for active and informed citizenship, drawing on examples from our past that galvanize us to believe that a better, stronger Canada is possible today and in the future. It's well written and informed, and a great read. The Walrus called it an essential book and said it is "the starting point of a conversation that we can only ignore at our peril."Read it and tell your friends to read it.
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