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October 6, 2010 - http://embassymag.ca/page/printpage/books-10-06-2010

Embassy's Top 20 reads of 2010

By Lee Berthiaume

Embassy has looked back over the foreign policy and political books published since September 2009 to find out which ones have entered into the public consciousness and debate in Canada, and which ones should have.

The following is a list, in alphabetical order by author, of the books that have brought forward worthwhile, and sometimes provocative, ideas and concepts that have inspired discussion and debate amongst Canada's politicos, experts and academics:

I Shall Not Hate: A Gaza Doctor's Journey

Izzeldin Abuelaish

Palestinian physician Izzeldin Abuelaish, now working at the University of Toronto, relates the heartbreaking story of losing three of his daughters and a niece to an Israeli tank shell, and yet continuing to work towards peace. The Harper government has often been accused of unfairly supporting Israel while ignoring the plight of average Palestinians, and this book is an important reminder of the human cost of the Middle East conflict.

The Politics of Linkage: Power, Interdependence and Ideas in Canada-US Relations

By Brian Bow

Winner of the 2009/10 Donner Prize for excellence and innovation in Canadian public policy writing. Brian Bow examines the "special relationship" between Canada and the US, and how the approach to bargaining over key bilateral issues has evolved from one of mutual respect to one held beholden to interest groups and domestic US politics. A must-read for anyone trying to understand the Canada-US relationship.

Canada's Voice: The Public Life of John Wendell Holmes

By Adam Chapnick

John Wendell Holmes was one of the most influential personalities on Canadian foreign policy in the post-war era. He joined the foreign service in 1943 and went on to train and mentor a generation of diplomats who would represent Canada internationally. He also influenced how Canadians saw themselves on the world stage. Understanding his influence opens a window into the Canadian diplomatic psyche.

The Plundered Planet: Why We Must—and How We Can—Manage Nature for Global Prosperity

By Paul Collier

In his latest book, the author of The Bottom Billion tries to chart a middle-course between unchecked profiteering on the one hand and environmental romanticism on the other. While much of The Plundered Planet deals with the environment and climate change, his comments about natural resource extraction are particularly poignant for Canadian policy-makers. They are also timely given the ongoing debate about the social responsibilities of Canadian extractive companies operating abroad and the extent to which the Canadian government should intervene or hold those companies to account.

Nest of Spies

By Fabrice Depierrebourg and Michel Juneau-Katsuya

"To the men and women who work tirelessly to protect us against spies, terrorists and cowardly bureaucrats." So reads the dedication at the front of Nest of Spies, an over-the-top book about spying and foreign intelligence activities in Canada. The message is that Canada is a target for industrial espionage and other illicit activities, but nobody takes it seriously. An important message that is particularly relevant now—if you can get past the take-no-prisoners approach and black-and-white mindset.

Gravity Shift: How Asia's New Economic Powerhouses Will Shape the 21st Century

By Wendy Dobson

Influential economist and former associate deputy minister of finance Wendy Dobson looks at the impact India and China will have not only in their region, but on economic and political organizations and institutions around the world, particularly if a free trade agreement between the two countries becomes reality. Considered a great first read in what has already become a genre unto itself in recent years.

Canada at the WTO: Trade Litigation and the Future of Public Policy

By Marc Froese

Not exactly a light read, Canada at the WTO is nonetheless an important contribution in an area that is top of mind when it comes to Canadian foreign policy. The early chapters address myths about the World Trade Organization and explain Canada's role in the global economy, as well as Canada's objectives in the WTO dispute settlement process. Using five specific cases, Marc Froese looks at how the WTO influences Canadian policy, and vice versa.

Citizens of Nowhere: From Refugee Camp to Canadian Campus

By Debi Goodwin

Despite recent reforms to Canada's refugee system, the debate over asylum seekers continues. Many Canadians are angry at what they feel are foreigners taking advantage of the country's social systems. So it's refreshing to have a different perspective, in this case the stories of 11 refugees who obtained scholarships at Canadian universities and permanent residency. An important exploration of the challenges that those few who are allowed into the country have to overcome.

Canada Among Nations 2009: As Others See Us

Edited by Fen Hampson and Paul Heinbecker

Marking the series' 25th anniversary, this year's iteration of the venerable Canada Among Nations issues a clarion call for policies on energy and environmental sustainability, nuclear non-proliferation, the Middle East and Afghanistan, as well as the economy and the BRIC countries. Chockfull of both criticisms of current policy and suggestions on ways forward, this is another great addition for Canadian foreign policy libraries.

Getting Back in the Game: A Foreign Policy Playbook for Canada

By Paul Heinbecker

Canada's most outspoken former UN ambassador offers a strong critique of recent Canadian foreign policy, before presenting a vision for a renewed presence on the world stage. An insightful book that argues in favour of putting a premium on "smart" power and that the opportunities for Canadian success and influence on the world stage have never been greater—all we have to do is seize the moment.

A Soldier First: Bullets, Bureaucrats and the Politics of War

By Rick Hillier

Former chief of defence staff Rick Hillier's memoir made a splash when it hit bookstores in October 2009, with the former top soldier going after bureaucrats in Foreign Affairs, the Jean Chrétien Liberal government and anyone else who stood in his way. The book's name is emblematic of the chief of defence staff's effort to kill the notion that Canada's soldiers are peacekeepers first. An interesting window into the thinking that arguably dominated Canadian foreign and military circles as Canada went into Kandahar—and proof that Rick Hillier has become more politician than soldier.

The Provinces and Canadian Foreign Trade Policy

By Christopher J. Kukucha

A first work at analyzing an increasingly important aspect of Canadian foreign policy, setting the stage for further discussion going forward, Christopher J. Kukucha argues that Canada's provinces have retained, and even enhanced, their abilities to intervene and influence Canadian foreign trade policy and negotiations, rather than the other way around. No Sunday reading, but well worth it for those working in the field who want to understand why Canada's trade positions are the way they are.

At Home and Abroad: The Canada-US Relationship and Canada's Place in the World

By Patrick Lennox

Patrick Lennox examines how Canada's relations with the US shape its engagement with the rest of the world. He starts from the premise that Canada has a two identities, one as a special friend and ally to the powerful Americas, the other as a tolerant international bridge-builder and moderator—and how these two views appear contradictory but are anything but.

Ethical Oil: The Case for Canada's Oil Sands

By Ezra Levant

Ezra Levant is known in many circles as a staunchly right-wing pundit who likes to rabble-rouse. Yet his argument in favour of the oil sands—that ethical considerations like human rights should be just as important as the environment when weighing where countries buy their oil—carries a certain validity, and will undoubtedly be trotted out by the pro-oil sands lobby over the next little while.

Harperland: The Politics of Control

By Lawrence Martin

This book has only just come out yet it's already making waves. Veteran journalist and political analyst Lawrence Martin does to Stephen Harper what he's already done to Jean Chrétien and former Bloc Québécois leader Lucien Bouchard: Connect the dots. While we haven't had a chance to read it yet, foreign policy will undoubtedly figure prominently. Even if it doesn't, expect almost everyone in Ottawa to pick up a copy and see what they already knew—and what they didn't—about Canada's current prime minister.

The Armageddon Factor: The Rise of Christian Nationalism in Canada

By Marci McDonald

Several years in the making, The Armageddon Factor examines the purported rise of a US-style, fundamentalist Christian movement that is bent on turning Canada into a land of promise for the coming Rapture. While much of the book has to do with domestic politics, the alleged ties with both American evangelical groups and this movement's views of the Middle East make it relevant to followers of Canadian foreign policy. Many have questioned its premise, but some of the allegations seem to hit close to the mark.

The Politics of Procurement: Military Acquisitions in Canada and the Sea King Helicopter

By Aaron Plamondon

The Conservative government would like to pretend the purchase of 65 new F-35 stealth fighters for $9 billion is a done deal. But anyone who knows what happened with the Sea King helicopters will know better. The Politics of Procurement is a must-read for anyone trying to understand the politics of equipping the Canadian military—and its long-term impact on the forces.

Multicultiphobia

By Phil Ryan

The title may be a mouthful, but Multicultiphobia is extremely topical in this age of "homegrown terrorism" and anti-immigrant sentiments. Phil Ryan takes on critics of multiculturalism, but also offers a balanced perspective that concedes that Canada is undertaking a grand experiment whose end is still unknown. The result is an important contribution to a debate that is often hijacked by sensationalism and emotion.

Blood on the Stone: Greed, Corruption and War in the Global Diamond Trade

By Ian Smillie

The issue of blood diamonds re-emerged in headlines over the summer after model Naomi Campbell testified at former Liberian president Charles Taylor's war crimes tribunal. One of the world's foremost experts on blood diamonds, Canadian Ian Smillie, explains the issue in clear, lucid terms. Not only is it a book for anyone looking to buy a diamond, but also for anyone looking for an example of how to make a positive difference in a tangible way.

Obama's Wars

By Bob Woodward

Veteran Washington Post journalist Bob Woodward presents a behind-the-scenes exposé on the Obama administration's handling of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The latter war, in particular, is still Canada's largest foreign policy commitment in a generation, and, with the mission's post-2011 future still up in the air, Obama's Wars will undoubtedly be important reading to understand the thinking—and political/military divisions—down south.

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