Thatcher versus Douglas

Thatcher versus Douglas: The CCF, the Liberals, and the Mossbank Debate of 1957
by M. G. Bucholtz
Published by Wood Dragon Books
Review by Toby A. Welch
$21.99 ISBN 9781990863349

Saskatchewan never fails to amaze me! Its political history is richer and deeper than many of us realize,
and Thatcher versus Douglas captures one of its defining moments. Ross Thatcher and Tommy Douglas both played integral roles in shaping modern Saskatchewan and this book explores how their ideas – and their rivalries – helped define our political identity.

Before reading Thatcher versus Douglas, I had never heard of the Great Debate that happened in 1957, apparently a pivotal point in Saskatchewan politics. At a time when politicians relied on speeches, door knocking, and newspaper coverage, Thatcher and Douglas debated face-to-face with a moderator between them, with reporters covering it for newspapers and the discussion broadcast over radio. What feels commonplace now was groundbreaking then, foreshadowing the future of media-driven politics.

As the chapters unfolded, I found myself wondering which of the men I would’ve aligned with had I been alive seventy-five years ago. Both men are fascinating and Bucholtz dives deep into their lives so we can see what shaped their political views and careers. Even readers who don’t usually reach for political non-fiction will find this story worth reading.

From Estevan originally, I love that I’ve visited almost every town that is mentioned in this book. The familiarity of settings brings a sense of home, especially when you have been to the places that are covered. The author is married to a woman from south of Assiniboia, and they settled in Regina for a while before moving permanently to Mossbank. Other places touched on include Weyburn, Wood Mountain, Prince Albert, Bruno, Lafleche, Moose Jaw, Limerick, and Kamsack, among many others.

I have to give kudos to Bucholtz – his extensive research is evident on every page of Thatcher versus Douglas. He notes that he spent over 400 hours sifting through information from a wide variety of sources and I believe it! The detailed Notes section at the back of the book confirms the depth of his investigation, a comprehensive list of resources where Bucholtz pinned down the details.

While the central focus is on Thatcher, Douglas, and the Great Debate, the book does veer off into other tangents along the way. I learned so much about Canadian and world politics overall as well as more specifics about Saskatchewan politics. And who would’ve thought that Saskatchewan Crown Corporations had so much history and breadth to them.

This powerful book deserves a spot on every Saskatchewanian’s bookshelf. By showing us who and what led up to the 1957 Great Debate, Bucholtz helps readers see how Saskatchewan politics changed and why that debate still matters today. Two enthusiastic thumbs up!

THIS BOOK IS AVAILABLE AT YOUR LOCAL BOOKSTORE OR FROM WWW.SKBOOKS.COM