Graham Steele reviews Politics on the Edge
From Graham’s Facebook page, January 25, 2023.
“There’s a remarkable new book about a Nova Scotia politician.” How’s THAT for an opening line?
We are delighted with Graham’s thoughtful review of the late Paul MacEwan’s (1943-2017) biography, and know that author Ian Stewart is too.
Steele notes that Politics on the Edge is “rich with anecdotes and detail.”
“Stewart is a good writer, and enlivens what could have been eye-glazing detail,” writes Steele. But this is “not a hagiography,” he writes, “nor is it a hatchet job. It gives the complete picture of a complicated personality.”
Those who remember Paul MacEwan – and if you were at all attuned to the political goings on in Nova Scotia in the 1970s to 2000s you no doubt have many recollections of him – remember he was “an eccentric, irascible political genius … absolutely unique.”
“So is this book.”
High praise from someone who has himself carved out a special niche in Nova Scotia public life.
We enjoyed the responses to Graham’s post as well. Stephen Mills writes, in part: “Paul faithfully attended morning worship at St Andrew’s United Chuch in Sydney (building now The Highland Arts Theatre) during some of my years as minister there. Most folks said ‘Good morning’ and shook hands after the service. Paul enthusiastically and skilfully critiqued the sermon and presented follow up notes on the previous week’s message. The guy was always thinking and not exclusively about politics. A true Cape Breton original.”
Another FB post from Anthony Scoggins: “Thanks for this, Graham. I had heard of the book but had not yet seen any reviews. My own Paul MacEwan story dates back to 1980: newly arrived in NS from Montreal, I had volunteered to work full-time on an NDP campaign in Sydney where they made me Volunteer Coordinator. One quiet afternoon, a big burly guy entered the almost empty campaign office, exuding fire and brimstone on some local issue. I listened to him politely, we chatted briefly and then he left. The campaign manager came out of his office and said ‘Do you know who THAT was?’ I shook my head, Nope. ‘Well that was the inimitable Paul MacEwan, MLA. What do you think?’ ‘I am not sure’ I replied, ‘He just borrowed $10 off of me.’ The campaign manager shrugged his big, broad shoulders, ‘Welcome to Cape Breton, son’.”
“Absolutely unique” indeed.