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A Knight in PoliticsA Biography of Sir Frederick Borden |
eBook Available
The story of an imperial statesman and military reformer who modernized Canada's armed forces.
Sir Frederick Borden (1847-1917), physician and entrepreneur, was Canada's longest-serving minister of defence. His untidy private life, however, often captured more attention than his public service. A Knight in Politics explores the history of the controversial public figure who led Canada's armed forces through the South African War, expanded and modernized the country's military from 1896 to 1911, and prepared them for service in the First World War.
Derided as a buffoon and an ignorant civilian by military critics, Borden became the public's lightning rod and Prime Minster Wilfrid Laurier's point man for negotiating Canada's sensitive military agenda during an era of high imperialism. Carman Miller presents a balanced assessment that seamlessly blends history and social and cultural analysis to highlight Borden's relationships within the contemporary web of nepotism, patronage, business, and family. A detailed account of the leading role Borden played in the development of modern Canada, A Knight in Politics showcases the transition to corporate capitalism and changes in public morality and social and political relationships during the "Age of Camelot."
Derided as a buffoon and an ignorant civilian by military critics, Borden became the public's lightning rod and Prime Minster Wilfrid Laurier's point man for negotiating Canada's sensitive military agenda during an era of high imperialism. Carman Miller presents a balanced assessment that seamlessly blends history and social and cultural analysis to highlight Borden's relationships within the contemporary web of nepotism, patronage, business, and family. A detailed account of the leading role Borden played in the development of modern Canada, A Knight in Politics showcases the transition to corporate capitalism and changes in public morality and social and political relationships during the "Age of Camelot."
Details
430 Pages, 6 x 9
15 b&w photos
ISBN 9780773537309
September 2010
Formats: Cloth, eBook
"In chronicling the 69-year life of a remarkable Canadian, Miller has done what only the best biographers can do - use the individual's story to impart a deeper understanding of the events and society of their time. (...) Richly researched and written with grace, A Knight in Politics will engage anyone, scholar or layperson, wanting to learn more about the public affairs of Canada and the people who conducted them in the decades that preceded the Great War." Jury for the C. P. Stacey Prize for Best Book in Canadian Military History
"A Knight in Politics is a well crafted biography that makes excellent use of a broad range of sources. In writing such an attractive narrative of the life of Sir Frederick Borden, Carman Miller makes a significant contribution to the history Canada." Robert Craig Brown, Professor Emeritus, Department of History, University of Toronto
"A Knight in Politics is a masterful work and is the result of over forty years of research by one of Canada's foremost military historians." Canada's History
"Important for its recognition of Borden's major contribution to our twentieth-century military history, the book places the central figure in the political, commercial, and economic context of a fast-changing Canada - perhaps Miller's greatest contribution to young historians venturing into biography." The Canadian Historical Review
"A Knight in Politics is a well crafted biography that makes excellent use of a broad range of sources. In writing such an attractive narrative of the life of Sir Frederick Borden, Carman Miller makes a significant contribution to the history Canada." Robert Craig Brown, Professor Emeritus, Department of History, University of Toronto
"A Knight in Politics is a masterful work and is the result of over forty years of research by one of Canada's foremost military historians." Canada's History
"Important for its recognition of Borden's major contribution to our twentieth-century military history, the book places the central figure in the political, commercial, and economic context of a fast-changing Canada - perhaps Miller's greatest contribution to young historians venturing into biography." The Canadian Historical Review
Carman Miller is a professor of history at McGill University and author of several books, including Painting the Map Red: Canada and the South African War, 1899-1902.
Illustrations vii
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction 3
1 Family 11
2 Business 28
3 Back Bench 42
4 Front Bench 57
5 Minister 73
6 Command 87
7 Challenge 96
8 War 113
9 Annus Miserabilis 129
10 Reform 145
11 The Reproach of Inferiority 161
12 Dundonald’s Defiance 176
13 A Civilian Militia 186
14 The Politics of Persuasion 197
15 A Made-in-Canada Militia 209
16 A Canadian Army 224
17 Wise Autonomy 241
18 Cooperative Imperial Defence 253
19 Gentleman Capitalist 273
20 Maritime Entrepreneur 294
21 Political Business 307
22 Political Purity 321
23 Defeat 338
24 Death 350
Appendix:
Corporate Ventures 367
Notes 369
Index 413
Acknowledgments ix
Introduction 3
1 Family 11
2 Business 28
3 Back Bench 42
4 Front Bench 57
5 Minister 73
6 Command 87
7 Challenge 96
8 War 113
9 Annus Miserabilis 129
10 Reform 145
11 The Reproach of Inferiority 161
12 Dundonald’s Defiance 176
13 A Civilian Militia 186
14 The Politics of Persuasion 197
15 A Made-in-Canada Militia 209
16 A Canadian Army 224
17 Wise Autonomy 241
18 Cooperative Imperial Defence 253
19 Gentleman Capitalist 273
20 Maritime Entrepreneur 294
21 Political Business 307
22 Political Purity 321
23 Defeat 338
24 Death 350
Appendix:
Corporate Ventures 367
Notes 369
Index 413
Winner
C. P. Stacey Award
Best Book in Canadian Military History (2010)
Shortlisted
J.W. Dafoe Book Prize
(2011)
C. P. Stacey Award
Best Book in Canadian Military History (2010)
Shortlisted
J.W. Dafoe Book Prize
(2011)
