I am indebted to a number of people who devoted their energies and talents to the creation of this book. My kind and hard working literary agent is Daphne Hart of the Helen Heller Agency. Daphne first saw merit in the idea of exploring Bennett’s life and career and took it Key Porter Books. Editor-in-Chief Linda Pruessen patiently and skillfully shepherded the manuscript through several drafts and oversaw the book’s development. John English not only wrote a fine foreword but also read an early draft and made a number of excellent suggestions. Martin Gould created a tremendous design, and Tom Best implemented a fine marketing plan. I am grateful to the folks who assisted me with research and in the collection of photographs at Trent University’s Thomas J. Bata Library in Peterborough, the Glenbow Museum in Calgary, and Ottawa’s Library and Archives Canada.
The book’s first edition was well received by readers and I am grateful to all who sent along kind notes. The reviews were positive and I thank those who noted slips that I was able to correct in this revised edition. It is interesting that while many offered thoughtful views, none questioned the book’s premise or thesis.
My travels deepened my understanding of Bennett and I am grateful to all of those with whom I spoke. Bill Herridge told me stories of his uncle and smiled at memories of a man who was terrific with children and loved a hearty laugh. Former Alberta premier Peter Lougheed spoke with pride of his grandfather who was Bennett’s early mentor and partner and told of how even after the two fell out that there existed mutual respect. Former prime minister John Turner told me childhood memories of having met Bennett, for his mother had worked for him and spoke highly of him. A number of others told stories of having encountered Bennett and all bespoke a man who was generous, warm, and funny. With each new encounter I grew more grateful to those who shared their stories and more certain that the portrait I had drawn of Bennett, a complex, contradictory, often cantankerous, but at his core a good man, was accurate.
I am grateful to Susanne Alexander and all those at Goose Lane who have published this second edition. It is only right that a man of New Brunswick should have his life story published by a New Brunswick publisher.
I thank my students, whose humour keeps me humble and whose questions keep me curious. And as with all else I do, the book would not have been possible without the support of my dear wife Sue, to whom I owe everything.