Michael Wilson (10) (1937–2019)

This is an engaging chronicle of the extraordinary life of Michael Wilson. It's an inspiring story about an incredible man.
Many Canadians will remember him as one of the politicians who instituted the GST in the 1990's and negotiated the US Canada Free Trade Agreement which morphed into NAFTA. His many accomplishments on behalf of Canada have proven to be long lasting, particularly the trade deals with the United States.

Throughout his life he often followed what he called "the path less show more travelled". For example, at the beginning of his working life when he was headed for a career in the investment industry, he faced the choice between going to Harvard for a MBA or accepting a 2-year internship at the Canadian Department of Finance in Ottawa. He accepted the latter out of a sense of public duty, wanting to get involved in making public policy. This inclination continued throughout his life, first going into politics, then back to the investment world before becoming Canadian Ambassador to the US. After his ambassadorship ended he returned to business life and academia as the Chancellor of the University of Toronto. Throughout his life he fulfilled his parents advice to give back through charitable work.

He had a strong sense of family especially in face of his busy work life. Unfortunately, he suffered the tragedy of the premature death of a child. Chapter 12 entitled "Cameron" is introduced by the book's prologue. Together they must be read as poignant reflections on an important event in his life, which caused him to become a strong advocate for acceptance of mental illness.

His comments about Canada's relationship with the United States reflecting his time "at the embassy" in Washington are timely in light of the turmoil of the Trump presidency.

The book's written in a low key, dignified style, with a narrative that is conversational and full of anecdotes. There's many words of wisdom scattered throughout the book. For example one that he attributes to former Prime Minister Mulroney is that you can disagree with someone without being disagreeable. Originally, Wilson wrote it with his grandchildren in mind to share with them his heritage, his values and life outlook. As things progressed, the perspective was changed for a general audience. It is published posthumously.

It's an inspiring story well worth reading.

I received a complementary advance reading copy of the book from the publisher via Netgalley for my unsolicited review. show less

Wilson was a cabinet member of Brian Mulroney's Conservative Government of the 1980' in Canada. Amongst its many accomplishments was the introduction of the GST, negotiating the NAFTA agreement with the United States and reducing the national debt. Wilson also was a successful businessman, administrator of national charities and Canada's ambassador to the United States. One of the charities was mental health which Wilson support following the suicide of his oldest son who had struggle with show more mental illness for most of his young life.

In his afterword, he says he wrote the book so his grandchildren would know and appreciate what he done with his life. He wrote a very readable volume that is also a history of Canada in the last fifty years of the Twentieth Century. As well, it gives an inside view the Mulroney Government. Wilson died before the book was completed show less