Born and raised in rural New Brunswick, Roméo Leblanc won a scholarship to attend university in Paris where he met young francophone Canadians who -- like him -- played a key role in Canadian politics of the 70s, 80s and 90s. Journalist, then politician, cabinet minister and Governor-General, LeBlanc was an insider throughout the Pearson-Trudeau-Chrétien era of Liberal ascendancy.
Historian Naomi Griffiths, a personal friend of LeBlanc's and a leading authority on Acadian history, spent many years researching and writing this biography with full access to his records and the co-operation of his many friends and family. With her in-depth knowledge of the Acadian communities of the Maritimes, she covers his early years in New Brunswick, his time as a journalist, his heyday as a minister in Trudeau's cabinet, and his years at Rideau Hall.
LeBlanc's career intersects with the leading politicians and government officials from the 1950s to the 1990s. Through LeBlanc's experiences and observations Dr. Griffiths describes the inner workings of the Liberal governments of Lester Pearson, Pierre Trudeau, and Jean Chrétien. She pays particular attention to the importance of his Acadian heritage in animating all that he did.
This engrossing biography illuminates the life of one of Canada's most beloved politicians and statesmen and, with it, a fascinating era in our history.
"...long overdue...a seamless account of a complicated man. It's an important book filled with history well worth reliving."
- Stephen Kimber Atlantic Books Today
"Through LeBlanc's experiences and observations, Griffiths describes the inner workings of the Liberal governments of Lester Pearson, Pierre Trudeau and Jean Chrétien. She pays particular attention to the importance of LeBlanc's Acadian heritage in animating all that he did.
Her biography illuminates the life of one of Canada's most beloved politicians and statesmen and, with it, a fascinating era in our history."
- James Foster Telegraph Journal
"The title of the book attracts your eye, but the contents will feed your curiosity...The author, Canada's leading authority on the Acadian experience, reconstructs LeBlanc's life with gentle affection and careful attention to the little things that mattered to her subject."
- Paul W. Bennett Chrinicle Herald, The Nova Scotian
NAOMI E. S. GRIFFITHS is recognized for her pioneering work in the fields of Acadian and womens history. She was a professor in the department of history at Carleton for many years, and she is the author or co-author of nine books, including The Context of Acadian History. She lives in Ottawa.
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