The Way It Works: a political memoir by Eddie Goldenberg

Inside the Chretien Years**** April 11,2007

This memoir by Eddie Goldenberg, right-hand man to Jean Chretien for many years, gives a fascinating behind the scenes account of politics in Ottawa, particularly Chretien's years as PM with Eddie as his senior policy advisor in the PMO. Goldenberg started with Chretien as a summer student but became his confidant and right-hand man to get things done. The Way It Works refers to the way government works, significantly differently from the manner portrayed in political science texts according to Goldenberg. In addition to his oberservations on the way it works, Goldenberg provides entertaining and insightful anecdotes which reveal the behind the scenes machinations between Martin and Chretien, the backdrop to the 1995 referendum in Quebec, relations with the US, the decision to not participate in the Iraq war and many other events.

Highly recommended.