Bastards & Boneheads: Canada's Glorious Leaders Past and Present

Bastards & Boneheads examines Canada's prime ministers through an irreverent historical lens. Will Ferguson categorizes each leader as either a "bastard" or a "bonehead," based on their actions and impact on the nation. The book presents biographical sketches of Canadian leaders from Sir John A. Macdonald to Jean Chrétien, highlighting their achievements, failures, and personalities. Ferguson incorporates historical facts and political analysis while maintaining a sharp wit throughout his assessments. The text includes lesser-known details about Canada's prime ministers and challenges common perceptions about their legacies. Historical photographs and political cartoons complement Ferguson's commentary on each leader's tenure. This unconventional approach to political biography raises questions about how Canadians remember their leaders and what truly makes for effective leadership. The humor serves as an entry point for readers to engage with serious questions about power, democracy, and national identity.

Readers describe this as an irreverent and humorous take on Canadian political history. Common mentions include Ferguson's ability to make dry historical content entertaining through wit and sarcasm. Liked: - Accessible writing style makes history engaging - Balance of humor and historical facts - Inclusion of lesser-known details about leaders - Straightforward criticism of political figures Disliked: - Some consider the humor forced or excessive - Political bias perceived by some readers - Limited depth on certain historical periods - Several note factual errors in early editions Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (282 ratings) Amazon.ca: 4.3/5 (23 ratings) Reader Quote: "A perfect antidote to dry history texts. Ferguson strips away the polite veneer of Canadian politics." - Amazon reviewer Critical Quote: "The attempt at humor sometimes comes at the expense of substance. More cynical than insightful." - Goodreads reviewer

A People's History of Canada by Roy MacGregor This history book reveals lesser-known scandals and failures of Canadian leadership through documented accounts and primary sources.

Fire and Ice: The United States, Canada and the Myth of Converging Values by Michael Adams The book dissects Canadian identity through political missteps, cultural differences, and leadership decisions that set Canada apart from its southern neighbor.

Just Watch Me: The Life of Pierre Elliott Trudeau by John English This biography presents the controversial decisions and complex personality of Canada's most polarizing prime minister through declassified documents and private papers.

The Truth About Stories: A Native Narrative by Thomas King The text examines how Indigenous perspectives and colonial leadership shaped Canada's political landscape through interconnected historical narratives.

Fights of Our Lives: Elections, Leadership and the Making of Canada by John Duffy The book analyzes five pivotal Canadian election campaigns that transformed the nation through political blunders, strategic decisions, and leadership conflicts.

🍁 Will Ferguson won the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour three times, making him one of Canada's most celebrated humorists. 🍁 The book categorizes Canadian Prime Ministers into two distinct groups: "Bastards" (those who were effective but unlikeable) and "Boneheads" (those who were likeable but ineffective). 🍁 Despite its irreverent tone, the book became a national bestseller and is often used in Canadian high schools to make political history more engaging for students. 🍁 Ferguson wrote this book while working as a teacher in Japan, where he spent five years teaching English and researching Japanese culture. 🍁 The book's publication in 1999 caused controversy among some Canadian historians for its unorthodox and sometimes harsh assessments of revered political figures, particularly its treatment of John A. Macdonald.