Books, Big Ideas, Q&As

Ibbitson gives Diefenbaker his proper place in history without downgrading Pearson’s legacy

In his just-released volume, The Duel: Diefenbaker, Pearson, and the Making of Modern Canada, John Ibbitson gives the 13th prime minister a fair shake after the positive aspects of Diefenbaker’s legacy were dismissed by many historians.

John Diefenbaker was prime minister from 1957-1963, followed by Lester B. Pearson from 1963-1968. 'If Pearson walked with ease in the halls of power, Diefenbaker connected with the farmers and small-town merchants and others left outside the inner circle,' writes John Ibbitson in his new book. Photograph courtesy of Wikimedia Commons

Feature

BY ARTHUR MILNES

October 23, 2023

KINGSTON—More than 40 years after his death, and almost 70 years since he beat the odds and became prime minister, John Diefenbaker has finally found a champion.

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