Canada's Constitutional Monarchy |
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9781554889808 (paper), 9781459700840 (pdf), 9781459700833 (epub) Released by Dundurn Press: November 5th 2011 288 Pages, 8 X 8 175 colour illustrations, 3 maps, appendices, bibliography, index $26.99 CAD paper $24.99 pdf 12.99 epub See Canada's Constitutional Monarchy on page 16 of the 2011 Dundurn Fall Catalogue by clicking here |
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Canadians enjoy one of the most stable forms of government on the planet, but there is a crisis in our understanding of the role the Crown plays in that government. Media often refer to the governor general as the Canadian head of state, and the queen is frequently misidentified in Canada as only the British monarch, yet she has been Queen of Canada since 1952. Even government publications routinely cast the Crown as merely a symbolic institution with no impact on the daily lives of Canadians — this is simply not true. Errors such as these are echoed in school textbooks and curriculum outlines.
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Nathan presenting a copy of the book to HRH The Prince of Wales. May 22nd, 2012.
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Canada's Constitutional Monarchy has been written to reintroduced Canadians to a rich institution integral to their ideals of democracy and parliamentary government. Nathan Tidridge presents the Canadian Crown as a colourful and unique institution at the very heart of our constitution, exploring its history from 15th century English explorations and16th-century New France. Moving into the 21st century, relationships with First Nations, Heraldry, the Military, Governor General, Heir to the Throne, and many other aspects of the day-to-day life of the country are explored.
“. . . a thoughtful and informative description and discussion of the role of the Canadian Crown.”
Thomas H.B. Symons, C.C., O.Ont., FRSC, LL.D.,
Founding President and Vanier Professor Emeritus, Trent University
Tom Symons: A Canadian Life
"Nathan Tidridge's new book on the Canadian monarchy is an invaluable guide to all things royal in Canada. We were in danger of letting this hugely important institution fall by the wayside through neglect and ignorance, so his painstaking account of all that is entailed in our history and constitutional profile, is immensely valuable."
John Fraser, Master of Massey College
Author of The Secret Of The Crown: Canada's Affair With Royalty
“This is a splendid, clearly written and thorough presentation of a complex (and sometimes controversial) Canadian institution. It will answer many questions and, no doubt, become the reference-book-of-choice on the subject.”
Jacques Monet, s.j.
Member of the 2010 Governor General Consultation Committee
Author of The Canadian Crown
"Nathan Tidridge has written a highly accessible, comprehensive and informed account of the role of the Canadian Crown. The book is beautifully illustrated and presents clear accounts of all aspects of Canada's constitutional monarchy. I know of no other book that serves Canadians so well as a guide to this important aspect of our system of government."
Peter H. Russell FRSC, PhD
Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto
One of Canada's Leading Constitutional Experts
". . . so much of what you write about is unfamiliar to 90% of Canadians today, so it's a great discovery for the curious reader, and may even change a few minds."
Charles Pachter OC, contemporary artist and author
"Canada's Constitutional Monarchy by Nathan Tidridge delivers on its promise to take us past the parliamentary walls of power to the underlying principles of Canadian Government, and, more specifically, the role of our Queen and her representatives in Canada. I liked it. Admittedly, The prospect of 285 pages of government statutes and founding formulas had me worried... needlessly."
Paul L. Bingle UE, Hamilton Branch Librarian
Loyalist Trails Newsletter (November 13, 2011)
United Empire Loyalist Association of Canada
"Nathan Tidridge offers readers a comprehensive and timely introduction to Canada's constitutional monarchy. At a time when the Crown's place in Canadian government and society is increasingly misunderstood and derided, Canada's Constitutional Monarchy offers readers an informative and accessible examination of the institution and its continuing relevance. Indeed, even those who are critical of Canada's constitutional monarchy should read Tidridge's book to ensure that they appreciate the nuances and subtleties that surround the Canadian Crown, the monarchy, and the royal family."
Philippe Lagassé
Assistant Professor
Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
University of Ottawa
"To this reader the only negative aspect of this well-researched and handsome volume is the fact that it is not a mandatory text book for Canadian students."
John Best, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
The Bay Observer
"Nathan Tidridge has written an excellent and accessible introduction to constitutional monarchy in Canada – its history, heraldic symbols, role in the constitution – and the evolution of the Crown in Canada and the Crown of Canada. Tidrigde effectively differentiates between the Queen of Canada, the Governor General, and the Lieutenant Governors; and it explains the Crown in relation to First Nations, heraldic symbols, and the Armed Forces. Overall, Canada's Constitutional Monarchy strikes a fine balance of offering accessible explanations for a wide audience eager to learn about our system without compromising constitutional accuracy."
James W.J. Bowden, Publisher and Editor
Parliamentum
". . . this volume deserves wide availability in secondary schools and public libraries across Canada. The volume will be of particular value to teachers of Canadian civics, trivia buffs (see especially Appendix A: Did you know?) and, of course, monarchists of all ages."
Val Ken Lem
CM (Canadian Review of Materials) Magazine, The Manitoba Library Association, Volume XVIII Number 22, February 10th, 2012
". . . a comprehensive, accessible and profusely-illustrated guide to the Crown in Canada."
The Royal Victorian Order Association of Canada
Newsletter No. 3, February 2012
" . . . excellent, handy, and vastly informative . . . It's fascinating whether you're monarchist or not and even a bit cheeky in places."
Jeff Mahoney
Hamilton Spectator
March 9th, 2012
"I wanted to emphasize my thanks to the author for constructing a neutral, not-so-pushy, not-so-activist, not-so-defensive and not-so-monarchist approach to writing about the Crown in Canada. There is so much rhetoric, republican or monarchist about the Crown and Tidridge managed to write a neutral piece that will help with the education of the public, all sides and in the end, strengthen Canada’s constitutional monarchy."
Adrian Petry, BA (Canadian History and Political Science, Brock University)
notsoprivatehistory.blogspot.ca
MA candidate in Public History, Western University
April 3rd, 2012
"Canada’s Constitutional Monarchy is a fascinating overview of the key aspects of Canada’s relationship with the crown, incorporating the full regional diversity of the monarchy’s role. The clear glossaries and illustrations make this work an ideal resource for readers who like to expand their knowledge of Canada’s history and government."
Carolyn Harris: Royal Historian
PhD Candidate, Queens' University
April 9th, 2012
Thomas H.B. Symons, C.C., O.Ont., FRSC, LL.D.,
Founding President and Vanier Professor Emeritus, Trent University
Tom Symons: A Canadian Life
"Nathan Tidridge's new book on the Canadian monarchy is an invaluable guide to all things royal in Canada. We were in danger of letting this hugely important institution fall by the wayside through neglect and ignorance, so his painstaking account of all that is entailed in our history and constitutional profile, is immensely valuable."
John Fraser, Master of Massey College
Author of The Secret Of The Crown: Canada's Affair With Royalty
“This is a splendid, clearly written and thorough presentation of a complex (and sometimes controversial) Canadian institution. It will answer many questions and, no doubt, become the reference-book-of-choice on the subject.”
Jacques Monet, s.j.
Member of the 2010 Governor General Consultation Committee
Author of The Canadian Crown
"Nathan Tidridge has written a highly accessible, comprehensive and informed account of the role of the Canadian Crown. The book is beautifully illustrated and presents clear accounts of all aspects of Canada's constitutional monarchy. I know of no other book that serves Canadians so well as a guide to this important aspect of our system of government."
Peter H. Russell FRSC, PhD
Professor Emeritus, University of Toronto
One of Canada's Leading Constitutional Experts
". . . so much of what you write about is unfamiliar to 90% of Canadians today, so it's a great discovery for the curious reader, and may even change a few minds."
Charles Pachter OC, contemporary artist and author
"Canada's Constitutional Monarchy by Nathan Tidridge delivers on its promise to take us past the parliamentary walls of power to the underlying principles of Canadian Government, and, more specifically, the role of our Queen and her representatives in Canada. I liked it. Admittedly, The prospect of 285 pages of government statutes and founding formulas had me worried... needlessly."
Paul L. Bingle UE, Hamilton Branch Librarian
Loyalist Trails Newsletter (November 13, 2011)
United Empire Loyalist Association of Canada
"Nathan Tidridge offers readers a comprehensive and timely introduction to Canada's constitutional monarchy. At a time when the Crown's place in Canadian government and society is increasingly misunderstood and derided, Canada's Constitutional Monarchy offers readers an informative and accessible examination of the institution and its continuing relevance. Indeed, even those who are critical of Canada's constitutional monarchy should read Tidridge's book to ensure that they appreciate the nuances and subtleties that surround the Canadian Crown, the monarchy, and the royal family."
Philippe Lagassé
Assistant Professor
Graduate School of Public and International Affairs
University of Ottawa
"To this reader the only negative aspect of this well-researched and handsome volume is the fact that it is not a mandatory text book for Canadian students."
John Best, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief
The Bay Observer
"Nathan Tidridge has written an excellent and accessible introduction to constitutional monarchy in Canada – its history, heraldic symbols, role in the constitution – and the evolution of the Crown in Canada and the Crown of Canada. Tidrigde effectively differentiates between the Queen of Canada, the Governor General, and the Lieutenant Governors; and it explains the Crown in relation to First Nations, heraldic symbols, and the Armed Forces. Overall, Canada's Constitutional Monarchy strikes a fine balance of offering accessible explanations for a wide audience eager to learn about our system without compromising constitutional accuracy."
James W.J. Bowden, Publisher and Editor
Parliamentum
". . . this volume deserves wide availability in secondary schools and public libraries across Canada. The volume will be of particular value to teachers of Canadian civics, trivia buffs (see especially Appendix A: Did you know?) and, of course, monarchists of all ages."
Val Ken Lem
CM (Canadian Review of Materials) Magazine, The Manitoba Library Association, Volume XVIII Number 22, February 10th, 2012
". . . a comprehensive, accessible and profusely-illustrated guide to the Crown in Canada."
The Royal Victorian Order Association of Canada
Newsletter No. 3, February 2012
" . . . excellent, handy, and vastly informative . . . It's fascinating whether you're monarchist or not and even a bit cheeky in places."
Jeff Mahoney
Hamilton Spectator
March 9th, 2012
"I wanted to emphasize my thanks to the author for constructing a neutral, not-so-pushy, not-so-activist, not-so-defensive and not-so-monarchist approach to writing about the Crown in Canada. There is so much rhetoric, republican or monarchist about the Crown and Tidridge managed to write a neutral piece that will help with the education of the public, all sides and in the end, strengthen Canada’s constitutional monarchy."
Adrian Petry, BA (Canadian History and Political Science, Brock University)
notsoprivatehistory.blogspot.ca
MA candidate in Public History, Western University
April 3rd, 2012
"Canada’s Constitutional Monarchy is a fascinating overview of the key aspects of Canada’s relationship with the crown, incorporating the full regional diversity of the monarchy’s role. The clear glossaries and illustrations make this work an ideal resource for readers who like to expand their knowledge of Canada’s history and government."
Carolyn Harris: Royal Historian
PhD Candidate, Queens' University
April 9th, 2012