The List: Reading Suggestions For You

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BC CCF & NDP

A Long Way to Paradise

Robert McDonald
UBC Press, 2021
The late Robert McDonald’s book is a refresher on B.C. politics.

A Matter of Confidence

Rob Shaw & Richard Zussman
Heritage House, 2018
A look at the downfall of the Christy Clark government and the coming to power of John Horgan and the NDP.

A Very Political Family

Vera Kristiansen
Trafford, 2007
The lives and times of NDP activist Vera Kristiansen and her NDP MP Kootenay West husband Lyle.

The Art of the Impossible:
Dave Barrett and the NDP in Power, 1972-75

Rod Mickleburgh & Geoff Meggs
Harbour Publishing, 2012
An engaging and close look at the first NDP government in B.C.

Alex in Wonderland

Alex MacDonald
New Star, 1993
A look at politics from the long-time NDP MLA Vancouver East and former Attorney-General.

Barrett: A Passionate Political Life

Dave Barrett w/ William Miller
Douglas & McIntyre, 1995
Dave Barrett writes candidly about his time in politics.

Being Brown: A very public life

Rosemary Brown
Random House, 1989
Engaging autobiography from the long-time MLA for Vancouver-Burrard and Burnaby-Edmonds.

The Compassionate Rebel

Dorothy Steves
JJ Douglas, 1977
The story of Burnaby CCF MLA and icon, Ernie Winch, and the growth of socialism in Western Canada.

Fantasy Government

Stan Persky
New Star, 1989
A look at the Bill Vander Zalm government as only Stan Persky could do.

Grace MacInnis

Ann Farrell
Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 1994
A compelling book on Grace MacInnis, MLA, MP, and legend in B.C. politics.

From Prison to Parliament

Frank Howard
Trafford Publishing, 2006
The no-punches pulled autobiography of former MP Frank Howard, in a career that saw him win ten elections.

A Woman to Remember

Ruth Latta & Joy Trott
Xlibris Corp, 2000
Grace’s life, which spanned much of the twentieth century, reflects the issues and dilemmas faced by many women of her time.

Growth of the NDP in BC

Daisy Webster
NDP, 1970
Tracking the progress of the BC NDP from 1900-70 through 81 political biographies.

Hard Choices, a Life of Tom Berger

Carolyn Swayze
Pacific Place Publishing, 1987
Former BC NDP leader, Supreme Court Justice and renowned advocate for the rights of Indigenous Canadians.

He Moved a Mountain

Joan Harper
Ronsdale Press, 2013
The story of the first Indigenous MLA, the CCF/NDP MLA from Atlin, and the Nisga’a Land Claims Accord.

Highwire Act

Dan Gawthrop
New Star, 1996
Power, pragmatism, and the Harcourt Legacy.

Mike Harcourt: A Measure of Defiance

Mike Harcourt
Douglas & McIntyre, 1996
Mike Harcourt takes a look at politics from his viewpoint and takes on his critics.

No Laughing Matter

Margaret Mitchell
Granville Island Publishing, 2007
Adventure, Activism & Politics: The story of Vancouver East MP Margaret Mitchell.

On the Line

Rod Mickleburgh
Harbour Publishing, 2018
A detailed history of the labour movement in BC.

The Squire of Kootenay West

Maurice Hodgson
Hancock House, 1976
The story of Bert Herridge, a CCF and NDP MLA & MP.

The Rush for Spoils

Martin Robin
McClelland & Stewart, 1972
This extensive history of British Columbia represents a departure in the political and historical literature of the province.

Pillars of Profit

Martin Robin
McClelland & Stewart, 1973
The follow up to Rush for Spoils, chronicalling the “Company Province” between 1934 and 1972.

Using Power Well

Bob Williams w/ Ben Isitt & Thomas Bevan
Nightwood Editions, 2022
Former BC cabinet minister Bob Williams weaves his political and economical insights with the story of his unconventional life.

Plan B

Mike Harcourt and John Lekich
John Wiley & Sons, 2004
The inspirational story of Harcourt’s fight to recover from his near-fatal accident, and his enormous contributions since.

Federal CCF & NDP

Agrarian Socialism

Seymour Martin Lipset
U of California Press, 2021
The CCF in Saskatchewan: A study in political sociology.

The Anatomy of a Party

Walter Young
U of Toronto Press, 1969
The story of the national CCF, 1932-1961.

Ed Broadbent: The pursuit of power

Judy Steed
Viking, 1988
This insightful biography, examines the influences and experiences that have shaped the man.

A Prophet in Politics

Kenneth McNaught
U of Toronto Press, reprinted 2017
A biography of J.S. Woodsworth.

The New Democrats, 1961-1986

Desmond Morton
COPP, Clark, Pitman Ltd, 1986
All about the politics of change… in a great era.

Building the Orange Wave

Brad Lavigne (forward by Olivia Chow)
Douglas & MacIntyre, 2013
The inside story behind the historic rise of Jack Layton and the NDP.

Unfinished Journey: The Lewis Family

Cameron Smith
Summerhill Press, 1989
The story of this amazing family that helped build the CCF and NDP.

Working People

Desmond Morton
McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2007
An illustrated history of the Canadian labour movement.

Visionaries, Crusaders, and Firebrands

Lynn Gidluck
Lorimer & Co, 2012
A story of the idealistic Canadians who built the NDP.

Tommy Douglas

Vincent Lam
Penguin, 2011
Award-winning novelist and medical doctor Vincent Lam brings special insight to his portrait of Douglas.

The Good Fight

David Lewis
MacMillan of Canada, 1981
Unique insights into CCF and the early years of the NDP by the former CCF National Secretary, MP and leader of the federal NDP.

Love and Solidarity, a Pictorial History of the NDP, book

Love & Solidarity

Cameron Smith
McLelland & Steward, 1992
A pictorial history of the NDP.

Make This Your Canada

David Lewis & Frank Scott
Central Canada Publishing Co, 1943
A review of CCF history and policy.

The Party That Changed Canada

Lynn MacDonald
MacMillan, 1987
Anyone wanting a primer in NDP politics from an insider’s viewpoint will find this book invaluable.

Tommy Douglas

Doris French Shackleton
Goodread Biography, 1983
Tommy Douglas is a vivid account of the man and the political movement he helped found.

Tommy Douglas Speaks

Edited by Dale Lovick
Oolichan Books, 1979
Collected speeches of former Saskatchewan Premier, federal NDP leader and MP.

Tommy Douglas: The Road to Jerusalem, book

Tommy Douglas, Road to Jerusalem

Thomas H McLeod & Ian McLeod
Hurtig, 1978
This acclaimed biography closely follows his working-class childhood, boxing career, and political impact on the national stage.

The New NDP

David McGrane
UBC Press
The definitive account of the evolution of the New Democratic Party’s political marketing strategy in the early twenty-first century.

Social Democracy / Democratic Socialism

The Fire and the Ashes

Andrew Jackson
Behind the Line Publishers, 2021
Andrew Jackson looks back on a fascinating career in the labour movement, the NDP, and progressive politics.

My Dear Legs

Alex Macdonald
New Star, 1985
Former NDP Attorney General writes to his friend Hugh Legg about socialism.

Party of Conscience

Edited by Roberta Lexier, Stephanie Bangarth & Jonathan Weier
Between the Lines 2018
A critical examination of the place of social democracy in Canadian history and politics.

Seeking Social Democracy

Ed Broadbent
ECW Press, 2023
Seven decades in the fight for equality.

NDP: Social Democracy in Canada

Desmond Morton
AM Hakkert Ltd, 1977