John English

John English is a Canadian historian, academic and biographer best known for his award-winning two-volume biography of former Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Elliott Trudeau. As a professor emeritus at the University of Waterloo, English has specialized in Canadian politics and international relations, producing influential works on Canadian political history and foreign policy. His biographical works, particularly "Citizen of the World: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Volume One: 1919-1968" and "Just Watch Me: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Volume Two: 1968-2000," are considered definitive accounts of Trudeau's life and legacy. English has served as the executive director of the Centre for International Governance Innovation and received numerous accolades for his scholarly work, including the Governor General's Literary Award for Non-fiction. His research has focused extensively on Canadian diplomatic history and political biography, establishing him as a leading authority in these fields. Beyond his academic work, English has contributed to public discourse through various roles, including serving as president of the Canadian International Council and participating in governmental advisory positions. His writing style combines thorough research with accessible narrative, making complex political history comprehensible to both academic and general audiences.

Readers appreciate English's balanced and thorough approach to political biography, particularly in his Trudeau volumes. Multiple reviewers note his detailed research and use of previously unavailable sources and documents. What readers liked: - Clear, accessible writing that explains complex political events - Inclusion of personal details that humanize political figures - Comprehensive research and extensive primary sources - Objective treatment of controversial topics What readers disliked: - Some sections contain excessive policy detail - Occasional slow pacing in policy-heavy chapters - Length of biographical works (some find them too detailed) Ratings and Reviews: Goodreads: - Citizen of the World (Vol 1): 4.2/5 (89 ratings) - Just Watch Me (Vol 2): 4.1/5 (66 ratings) Amazon: - Citizen of the World: 4.5/5 (12 reviews) - Just Watch Me: 4.3/5 (9 reviews) Reader quote: "English manages to be both exhaustive and engaging - no small feat for political biography" - Amazon reviewer

The Worldly Years: The Life of Lester Pearson 1949-1972 Details Pearson's later life including his role as Prime Minister of Canada and his leadership during significant domestic and international events.

Shadow of Heaven: The Life of Lester B. Pearson Volume One Chronicles Pearson's early years through his diplomatic career until 1949, including his work at the Department of External Affairs.

Just Watch Me: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau 1968-2000 Covers the second half of Trudeau's life, focusing on his time as Prime Minister and his impact on Canadian politics and society.

Citizen of the World: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau Volume One Examines Trudeau's early life, intellectual development, and entry into politics up until 1968.

Ice and Water: Politics Peoples and the Arctic Council Analyzes the formation and evolution of the Arctic Council, discussing international cooperation in Arctic governance.

The Decline of Politics: The Conservatives and the Party System 1901-20 Examines the transformation of the Canadian Conservative Party and the broader political system during the early 20th century.

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