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The Governors General

An Intimate History of Canada's Highest Office

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In this delightful and often whimsical account of the Canadians who have held this post since 1952, journalist and author John Fraser explains the successful, if illogical, evolution of the institution and engages readers with the hilarious foibles, moving triumphs, and sombre tragedies of the men and women who have been chosen to represent the Sovereign in Canada. With personal knowledge of all of the governors general, Fraser proves a delightful guide whose tales range from an amusing schoolboy encounter with the magisterial Vincent Massey, a profound conversation with Georges Vanier, intimate moments with Adrienne Clarkson, and a bracing account of the catastrophic mandate of former astronaut Julie Payette.

Contributors

John Fraser

John Fraser is a Canadian journalist, writer, and academic, and is the founding president of the Institute of the Study of the Crown in Canada. He was the editor of Saturday Night magazine, columnist, China correspondent, Ottawa bureau chief, and London correspondent for The Globe and Mail. He is the recipient of multiple national journalism awards and was chair of the Canadian Journalism Foundation until 2008. John served as Master of Massey College from 1995 until his retirement in 2014. He is the author of several best-selling books.

Chapter Contributors Pages Year Price
In this chapter, Fraser traces the office of Canada’s Governor General from 1620 to the present, focusing on the transition to Canadian-born officeholders in 1952.
9 $0.90
In this chapter, Fraser profiles Vincent Massey (1887–1965), the first Canadian to serve as Governor General from 1952 to 1959.
15 $1.50
In this chapter, Fraser traces the tenure of General Georges-Philias Vanier as Canada’s Governor General (1959–1967).
19 $1.90
In this chapter, Fraser traces Roland Michener’s tenure as Governor General of Canada from 1967 to 1974.
11 $1.10
In this chapter, Fraser traces the 1974–1979 tenure of Governor General Jules Léger and the remarkable way his wife, Gabrielle Léger, sustained the viceregal office after his …
9 $0.90
In this chapter, Fraser traces Edward Schreyer’s tenure as Governor General of Canada from 1979 to 1984.
5 $0.50
In this chapter, Fraser traces the tenure of Jeanne Sauvé as Canada’s first female governor general from 1984 to 1990.
7 $0.70
In this chapter, Fraser traces the tenure of Raymond John Hnatyshyn as Governor General of Canada from 1990 to 1995.
7 $0.70
In this chapter, Fraser traces Roméo-Adrien LeBlanc’s tenure as Governor General of Canada from 1994 to 1999, noting his distinction as the first Acadian in the role.
7 $0.70
In this chapter, Fraser traces Adrienne Clarkson’s tenure as Governor General of Canada, spanning October 1999 to September 2005.
18 $1.80
In this chapter, Fraser traces Michaëlle Jean’s tenure as Canada’s Governor General, 2005 to 2010.
6 $0.60
In this chapter, Fraser traces David Johnston’s tenure as Governor General of Canada from 2010 to 2017.
8 $0.80
In this chapter, Fraser traces the tenure and abrupt removal of Julie Payette, Canada’s governor general from 2017 to 2021.
14 $1.40
In this concluding chapter, Fraser reflects on the ideal role of Canada’s governor general and assesses Mary Simon, the first Indigenous office-holder appointed in 2021.
7 $0.70