Hotel Pacifico B.C. Booklist
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Hotel Pacifico B.C. Booklist
Our episode with Global TV’s Keith Baldrey focused on notable BC political books. Keith’s bookshelf, seen behind him on his daily news hits from the BC Legislature, is known to Global TV’s viewers, and has helped promote countless BC authors. It was impossible to discuss all of the worthy books about BC politics on the episode, but we did our best. Here is a list of the books we discussed, and some that we didn’t have time to mention.
Mentioned by Keith Baldrey
British Columbia: a History, by Margaret Ormsby, MacMillan, 1958
The original and still relevant political history of the provinceW.A.C. Bennett and the Rise of British Columbia, by David Mitchell, Douglas and McIntyre, 1983
Indispensable history of one of the province’s most successful PremiersSuccession, by David Mitchell, Douglas and McIntyre, 1987
The dramatic takeover of Social Credit by Bill Vander Zalm. The story of the 1986 Social Credit leadership convention – the last of its kind.
The Art of the Impossible: Dave Barrett and the NDP in Power, 1972-1975, Geoff Meggs and Rod Mickleburgh, Harbour Publishing, 2012
A reconsideration of the first NDP government’s significant achievements.
Using Power Well: Bob Williams and the Making of British Columbia
Bob Williams with Ben Isitt and Thomas Bevan, Harbour Publishing, 2022
A Matter of Confidence: the Inside Story of the Political Battle for BC, Rob Shaw and Richard Zussman, Heritage, 2018
"A lively, behind-the-scenes tale brimming with new anecdotes and marvelous detail." —Keith Baldrey
“The vivid, definitive account of an unprecedented year in BC politics” – Vaughn Palmer
Mentioned by Geoff Meggs
The West Beyond the West, A History of British Columbia, by Jean Barman, U of T Press, 1991
Arguably BC’s most eminent living historian brings forward Indigenous rights, race and gender and social questions in an important update of Ormsby.
Fantasyland: Inside the Reign of Bill Vander Zalm, Gary Mason and Keith Baldrey, McGraw-Hill Ryerson, 1989
Still the gold standard on one of the most turbulent Premierships in the province’s history
Fire Weather, John Vaillant, Penguin Random House Canada, 2023
Exploration of the rapidly changing relationship between fire and humankind.
Mentioned by Mike McDonald
A Long Way to Paradise: a New History of BC Politics, Robert A.J. McDonald, UBC Press 2021
A new look at BC’s political history that provides remarkably detailed analysis of the province’s first century.
True Reconciliation: How to Be a Force for Change, Jody Wilson-Raybould, McClelland Stewart, 2022
A vital book to understand one of the key issues reshaping BC politics
Duff Pattullo of British Columbia, Robin Fisher, University of Toronto Press, 1991
Definitive biography of the last Liberal premier before the onset of ‘coalition politics’.Time and Chance: the political memoirs of Canada’s first woman prime minister, Doubleday, 1996
Memoir of the only female prime minister, and only prime minister born in BC (Port Alberni), who served in the BC Legislature from 1986-1988.Frank Calder: He Moved a Mountain, Joan Harper, Ronsdale Press, 2013
Biography of BC’s first First Nations MLA who served the riding of Atlin almost continuously from 1949-1979. A Nisga’a leader, he was a driving force for the recognition of aboriginal land title and brought forward the landmark Calder case.Breaking Trail, Len Marchand with Matt Hughes, Caitlin Press, 2000
Biography of Canada’s first First Nations cabinet minister and first First Nations MP elected from Kamloops, 1968-1979, then served in the Senate of Canada. His son, Len Marchand jr., was recently appointed Chief Justice of British Columbia.
Other Books of Note (that we didn’t have time to mention):
Claiming the Land, Dan Marshall. The story of the Fraser Canyon war in 1858 and how annexation by the United States was narrowly averted thanks to the peacemaking diplomacy by Chief Spintlum and an unlikely American gold miner, Captain Snyder.
At the Bridge, Wendy Wickwire. The story of James Teit of Spences Bridge and his advocacy of Indigenous peoples in the early 1900s.
The Fraser, Bruce Hutchison (1950). Seminal work on BC’s greatest river by arguably BC’s greatest journalist. Pick up anything written by Hutchison.
Tough Guy, Allan Garr. A critical look at Bill Bennett’s premiership.
Mandarin, Bob Plecas. A favourable look at Bill Bennett’s premiership.
Former MLA Judi Tyabji (1991-1996) has written three books on BC politics: Political Affairs, Daggers Unsheathed, and Behind the Smile. The books revolve around three leaders, respectively: Gordon Wilson, Glen Clark, and Christy Clark
Bull of the Woods, Gordon Gibson Sr. autobiography. Gibson was a Liberal MLA in 1950s and 1960s and pioneer in BC’s Forest industry. His son, Gordon Gibson jr., who passed away recently, served as BC Liberal leader (1974-1979).
Aboriginal People and Politics, Paul Tennant. Overview of First Nations struggle for rights and title, and political organization in the 20th century.
Politicians of a Pioneering Province, Russell Walker. A press gallery reporter in the 1920s, Walker provides entertaining portraits of those who governed BC in the roaring ‘20s.
Who killed Janet Smith?, Edward Starkins. A high-profile murder in 1924 that spilled into the headlines and the BC Legislature. A glimpse of politics and police in the 1920s.
UBC Press’s Turning Point series, edited by Ken Carty and Gerry Baier, on Canada’s consequential federal election campaigns
Unlikely Insider: a west coast advocate in Ottawa, Jack Austin, McGill-Queens University Press, 2023
Elusive Destiny, Paul Litt and John Turner, Steve Paikin. Two biographies of Canadian prime minister John Turner, who had a close relationship with British Columbia, as a university student, athlete, and, later on, Member of Parliament for Vancouver Quadra (1984-1993)
In addition to those listed above, there are many moe biographies on former BC politicians – mostly men, including: Ujjal Dosanjh, Mary-Ellen Smith, Tom Berger, Pat McGeer, Gerry McGeer (former mayor, MP, MLA, and senator), Dave Barrett, Rosemary Brown, Libby Davies, Svend Robinson, Mike Harcourt, Cyril Shelford, Phil Gaglardi, Richard McBride, James Douglas, Amor de Cosmos, and one of the first speakers of the House, David Higgins.
There are many BC publishers producing great content on a regular basis such as Harbour Publishing, Ronsdale Press, Heritage, and others you can check out through the Association of BC Book Publishers.
This list is by no means comprehensive and highly subjective. We appreciate hearing recommendations from our listeners.
