The Candidate: Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail

Noah Richler is a Canadian writer and journalist known for writing about politics and culture. In 2015, he decided to run as a federal member of Parliament for the New Democratic Party, and this book describes his experience on the campaign trail in a Toronto riding. Mr. Richer says he didn't run in order to write a book....but he didn't get elected, so he decided to do so.

The book offers a look into political campaigns that few of us will personally witness. As a first-time candidate, Mr. Richler had to assemble a team, fund raise and knock on doors. He was running against a powerful incumbent who had held t he seat for 18 years (and continues to do so). It was interesting to see how the national and local campaigns and priorities show more usually (but not always) meshed and the level of support and oversight Mr. Richler's campaign received from the national party bosses.

Mr. Richler brings to his writing stories of some of the people he met as he knocked on doors, which were always interesting. He also tells about some of his staff/volunteers. I sometimes had difficulties remembering who was who, but nevertheless got a sense of the challenges and minor rewards of being a candidate.

Very interesting read. show less