Touted as a book on the reportedly close relationship between P.E. Trudeau and Fidel Castro, I was expecting a collection of stories on how the two world leaders smoked cigars and fought off the advances of incredibly hot Havana (Havananian?) hookers, much like I did when I went to Cuba. However, I was surprised (and mildly dissapointed) to find an intelligently written study on the two notorious politicians and their individual and collective roles in the Cold War.
The author does a great job of highlighting the key points of the war, our relationship with Cuba and the U.S., and Trudeau’s reign as Canada’s most flamboyant (if not most famous) Prime Minister.
I really enjoyed learning more about an era before my time; it felt like Social Studies 11 expanded to an intellectual level beyond the standard just-show-up-every-day-and-you’ll-pass high school bullshit. It also helped that I wasn’t distracted, staring at Grade 11 boobs like I (and every other hormonly-challenged male student) did every single minute of class. Trudeau seems like an interesting Prime Minister, one that may have convinced me that balance can be struck in politics. The author paints a portrait of Trudeau that resembles a Liberal born before the time of misguided arguments about political correctness. He seems to have understood socialism at a fundamental level without becoming a soft-cock pushover. God bless the Quebecois, right? Anyway, onto the book again. While the book’s supposed central theme of Trudeau and Castro’s relationship is clearly present, it is mostly an ode to Trudeau and his delicate handling of Canadian politics in an era of shifting loyalties. I really dug it and recommend it to anyone interested in a lead off into Canadian politics of the 60′s and 70′s. I may only be speaking for myself here but it seems Canadians are an apolitical bunch, more interested in our leisurely ways despite all our bluster and weekly public protests. For those who wish to learn more about Canada’s recent political history, this book is a good refresher. It’s just a shame there’s no boobs in it. Actually, he does mention Margaret Trudeau’s knockers somewhere in there, which is awesome. And I’m done.
Three Nights...of cigars and hookers.