With the federal election happening in October, we are featuring biographies, memoirs and commentary by political leaders.

Justin Trudeau’s memoir Common Ground released in 2014 traces his path from childhood to leader of the Liberal party while Stephen Harper’s most recent book Right Here, Right Now discusses how social, economic and public policy trends. 

Brad Lavigne’s biography of Jack Layton, Building the orange wave, recounts how the NDP became a major contender for government in the 2011 federal election. And Elizabeth May’s book Who we are, released in 2014 sets out her vision for a strengthened democracy, and a green economy.

For something slightly different check out Yann Martel’s book 101 letters to a prime minister. Every two weeks, for 4 years, Martel sent Prime Minister Stephen Harper a book and a letter revealing why he though the Prime Minister should read it. An excellent book list, and an interesting idea based on the belief that reading about the experiences and ideas of others can have a profound impact on our own beliefs.