These lively and provocative portraits of Canada's prime ministers shed new light on the public and private lives of the people chosen to lead our fragile Confederation.<br /> <br /> Whether vaulted into the public spotlight by ambition, or thrust forth by circumstance, the characters penned by Gordon Donaldson provide the main motive forces behind Canadian history.<br /> <br /> From Sir John A. to Jean Chretien, this is Canadian history at its most accessible and entertaining, thanks to Gordon Donaldson's wry wit and irreverent pen- and to the diveresity of his subjects:nbsp;nbsp;those who built and maintain Canada "in defiance of history, geography and climate."