Stephen Harper

The reviews consistently praise the book as a remarkably well-written and engaging biography that offers deep insights into Stephen Harper's character and political journey. Many commend the author's balanced and even-handed approach, noting that it presents both Harper's strengths and weaknesses, successes and failures, without resorting to partisan extremes. Reviewers particularly highlight the first half of the book, which delves into Harper's formative years, upbringing, and early rise to power, as a fascinating and previously untold narrative that helps demystify a notoriously private figure. The extensive research is evident, providing a comprehensive picture that allows readers to better understand Harper as both a person and a politician, regardless of their personal political views.

Despite widespread acclaim for its balance, some reviewers found the book to be ideologically biased, perceiving it as overly sympathetic to Harper, his ideology, or methodology. A recurring criticism points to the author's perceived fixation on "resentment" towards "Laurentian elites" as a primary motivating factor for Harper, with some suggesting this reliance on "psycho-history" is an insufficient basis for a political biography. A few reviews, particularly in hindsight, also note that some of the author's assumptions or analyses regarding the lasting impact of Harper's political strategy were not borne out by subsequent electoral results. Additionally, while the early chapters captivated many, some readers found the second half, covering Harper's time as Prime Minister, less dynamic, describing it as feeling like a collection of stitched-together news articles rather than a cohesive narrative.

Overall, the book is highly recommended as an important and insightful read for anyone seeking to understand one of Canada's most impactful and polarizing Prime Ministers. It is considered essential for gaining clarity on Harper's decision-making processes and the complexities of Canadian politics during his tenure. This biography would appeal to readers interested in Canadian political history, political biographies in general, and those who wish to delve beyond surface-level perceptions to understand the motivations and influences behind a significant political figure. It is particularly recommended for Canadians of all political stripes who desire a more nuanced and comprehensive perspective on Harper's life and leadership.