3 comments about My Years As Prime Minister (Ron Graham Books).

1. I read this book primarily to find out whether Jean Chretien knew that 9/11 was an inside job and if he knew why Canada went along placidly in support of the war on terrorism . Although he does not answer the questions directly, he deals with them. He writes Putin told him that he believed the US military and the corporations involved in profiting from war were behind 9/11. They needed a new playground for testing their new war toys. In a totally different context in the book Jean Chretien writes that Canada could be invaded by the US at any time. Putting the two statements together I had my answers. He knew but he had no choice.
   Well written book, easy to read and packed with insightful information.



2. Sheds a lot of light on the accomplishments of the Chretien government and the media-driven scandals that ultimately caused the downfall in 2003 under Paul Martin. Great book for readers from Canada as it shows the true side of Chretien, something that was often muddled in the press. Readers from other countries will see the impact Canada had on world affairs under this leader, and come to understand how the Canadian political scene and "state of mind" differs very much from other countries, especially the United States.



3. As he always seemed to be, this is an honest and humorous account of his years as the prime minister. He is probably one the best Canada has seen in recent history. And the book is not only his memoirs, but also is full of lessons for those interested in politics, policy makings, and respect. Every Canadian should read this book, whether you like him or now (I know of very few people who don't praise his work and leadership abilities).

No comments about A Woman's Way Through Unknown Labrador.

2 comments about Hunger in Holland: Life During the Nazi Occupation.

1. I was very interested in how the Dutch survived the Nazi occupation. This book brought it home in very clear terms. The book itself is cheaply printed. Also, the author doesn't follow a clear chronology but she is writing from memory and probably doesn't recall that much detail. The feeling one gets is that she was starving in 1943, nothing got better, but somehow it becomes mid-1945.
   Still, a strong recommendation if you find these kinds of war stories compelling.



2. This book provides a fairly objective view of the many domestic details of life under German occupation. Fuykschot was a young teen in Utrecht, Holland when her life was dramatically changed during WW2. She describes the struggle to keep warm, clothed, and nourished as basic supplies became increasingly scare. The focus is a personal and familial one as she recalls the events that impacted on her parents and younger sister, and to some extent neighbours and school chums. Hardship abounds but triumph is definite in the satisfying ending of liberation by Canadian troops in 1944.

No comments about True Newfoundlanders: Early Homes and Families of Newfoundland and Labrador.

5 comments about The Reichmanns: Family, Faith, Fortune, and the Empire of Olympia & York.

1. The Reichmanns
   
   The book, "The Reichmanns; Family, Faith, Fortune and The Empire of Olympia & York" by Anthony Bianco is a 668 page mind boggling tale of a family dynasty that came from nowhere and rose to one of the most wealthy families in the world in one generation. The book explains how through Paul Reichmann's insatiable drive and willingness to parlay the profit from each successful project into a much larger endeavor, their wealth exploded to over $10 billion at the peak, just before risking everything on Canary Warf on London's East End.
   
   At times it's a bit of a fight to get through the sections that are not related to business and real estate, but those sections give you a good idea about the family's morals and values and bring you closer to understanding their thinking.
   
   A memorable section is when they braved the NYC real estate slump of 1976 - 1997 and purchased eight skyscrapers from the Uris Building Corporation for $46 million down. Within a decade the package would have a value of over $3 billion.
   
   The book is packed with similar anecdotes that both inspire and encourage someone wanting to build a real estate fortune of their own.
   
   By Kevin Kingston author of, "A 20,000% Gain in Real Estate"



2. The book discusses in great detail the Reichmann family's role both in Jewish culture over the last couple hundred years and in the real estate developement business over the last 40 or so years.

   The part I liked the best was the descriptions of 18th and 19th century Jewish life in the "oberland"(sp?) of Hungary. A lost culture, thanks not only to the Nazis but also to Jewish Emancipation.

   In a way, it is inspirational, as it shows how one family managed to integrate a healthy, traditional religious expression with philanthropy and business acumen. It also shows that you cannot understand what makes that family "tick" without understanding the rich culture and religion of orthodox jewishness.

   The greatest strength of this book, in my opinion, is that it is a _history_ of the family and its business, religious, philanthropic, and cultural dealings. It isnt the hagiography that so many business biographies in the popular press tend to be.




3. As the Reichmanns anticipate another rush to the top of the heap we shall watch with amazed eyes as this family woos our imagination, yet again! As renowned as the Reichmanns have been there are still followers of scrappy success stories that do not know much about what this family, with brother and son Paul at the helm, contributed to New York City's skyline. The World Financial Center was a creation of their delicately named Olympia & York. Read this from beginning to end so that you can grasp the rise and fall and now, again, rise of this amazing family. As is usually indicative of most business minds through time, the children are not as capable as the original "originators" themselves.



4. For those interested in real estate development, I recommend skipping through the first half of the book and starting at page 256. From there on it is fascinating reading on the possibilities of development for those with seemingly infinite capital on hand. Paul Reichmann's passion, drive and high tolerance for risk makes for better reading than most novels.



5. Though well researched and well written, the author accepts rumour as facts, and thus published reports of personal misconduct which are totally false. It does not do justice to the tragic story of the collapse of the fortunes of a family that was world reknowed for their kindness and generosity. For those that were acquainted with the true facts, and recognize the Reichmans as the great men that they truly are, this book is a travesty.

No comments about Robert Whyte's 1847 Famine Ship Diary: The Journey of an Irish Coffin Ship.

No comments about Great Canadian Film Directors.

No comments about Of This Earth: A Mennonite Boyhood in the Boreal Forest.

No comments about Sunny Side Up: Fond Memories of Prairie Life in the 1930s.

No comments about Toronto Between the Wars: Life in the City 1919-1939.