Who wrote Stephen Harper's book? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

WilderPegasus · 02-08-2013, 07:51 AM

An article in the Globe and Mail discussing Harper using a foreign publisher for his upcoming book had this quote:

Ghostwritten by Globe and Mail columnist Roy MacGregor, the book is “stunningly impressive,” Mr. Levine said. The publishers describe it as a “comprehensive history” and a “fascinating portrait of hockey at the turn of the 20 th century.”

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/arts/...rticle8372182/

But in a National Post story Roy MacGregor was quoted with the following:

Roy MacGregor, who has written 40 books, including the popular Screech Owl series, has talked with the prime minister about the book and describes him as “fanatically” knowledgeable.
MacGregor, who has worked as a ghost writer, says Harper hasn’t employed one.
“I can guarantee you there’s no ghost,” he said. “I’m sure it would come up. The reason it would come up is I know of his stated determination that no matter how long it took, he wanted to be the one that did it. He had research help but it was going to be him plucking away at the computer keys.”

http://www.canada.com/sports/Coming+...228/story.html

Is the Globe and Mail this incompetent to falsely accuse one of their employees of writing this book? Or is MacGregor this dishonest/senile to claim that he didn't ghostwrite it?

fundmark19 · 02-08-2013, 08:11 AM

I really loved the Screech Owl series! That is all I have to add

MoneyGuy · 02-08-2013, 08:19 AM

Harper continues to impress me with his depth. I loved the Beatles song he did on the piano and his singing voice. He has a lot of knowledge about hockey history and maybe now he writes. Well done, Stevie. You're a Wonder (pun intended). I wonder if his middle (stage) name is Morris (pun also intended).

MarchHare · 02-08-2013, 08:41 AM

I'd be shocked if it wasn't ghostwritten. How does the PM for the past seven years (and opposition leader for several years before that) have time to research and write a history book? If it's done well -- and the reviews say that it is -- then surely it must have required the efforts of somebody working on it full-time.

Sliver · 02-08-2013, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I'd be shocked if it wasn't ghostwritten. How does the PM for the past seven years (and opposition leader for several years before that) have time to research and write a history book? If it's done well -- and the reviews say that it is -- then surely it must have required the efforts of somebody working on it full-time.

No it doesn't. Some people write fast. Especially an intelligent, well-educated guy like the PM.

WilderPegasus · 02-08-2013, 08:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Harper continues to impress me with his depth. I loved the Beatles song he did on the piano and his singing voice. He has a lot of knowledge about hockey history and maybe now he writes. Well done, Stevie. You're a Wonder (pun intended). I wonder if his middle (stage) name is Morris (pun also intended).

I don't get the criticism of Harper on this one. He's not the one claiming that he didn't have a ghostwriter nor is he the one claiming it is ghostwritten.

Either the Globe and Mail or Roy MacGregor needs to be the one criticized in this case.

MarchHare · 02-08-2013, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sliver

No it doesn't. Some people write fast. Especially an intelligent, well-educated guy like the PM.

The actual writing of a piece such as this is only a small portion of the overall work. The bulk of the effort is the research.

Sliver · 02-08-2013, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarchHare

The actual writing of a piece such as this is only a small portion of the overall work. The bulk of the effort is the research.

Yeah, but the article said he had research help. It's in the OP.

MoneyGuy · 02-08-2013, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilderPegasus

I don't get the criticism of Harper on this one. He's not the one claiming that he didn't have a ghostwriter nor is he the one claiming it is ghostwritten.

Either the Globe and Mail or Roy MacGregor needs to be the one criticized in this case.

Maybe you quoted the writing post. I didn't criticize Harper in mine.

Mazrim · 02-08-2013, 01:06 PM

Looks like the first paragraph in the OP was edited:

Quote:

Globe and Mail columnist Roy MacGregor acted as an editorial consultant on the book. The publishers describe it as a “comprehensive history” and a “fascinating portrait of hockey at the turn of the 20 th century.”

Editor's note: Roy MacGregor acted as an editorial consultant on Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s hockey history book. An earlier version of this story referred to Mr. MacGregor as a “ghostwriter.”

MoneyGuy · 02-08-2013, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilderPegasus

I don't get the criticism of Harper on this one. He's not the one claiming that he didn't have a ghostwriter nor is he the one claiming it is ghostwritten.

Either the Globe and Mail or Roy MacGregor needs to be the one criticized in this case.

Dbl post.

Cowperson · 02-08-2013, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I'd be shocked if it wasn't ghostwritten. How does the PM for the past seven years (and opposition leader for several years before that) have time to research and write a history book? If it's done well -- and the reviews say that it is -- then surely it must have required the efforts of somebody working on it full-time.

Harper is a well-known hockey history fanatic . . . . . I'd be shocked if he didn't do all of the writing and a lot of the research.

Even as one of Canada's longest-serving Prime Ministers, he will probably regard this book as one of his prouder achievements.

Cowperson

WilderPegasus · 02-08-2013, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Maybe you quoted the wrong post. I didn't criticize Harper in mine.

Sorry but I thought you were being sarcastic.

J epworth · 02-08-2013, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarchHare

I'd be shocked if it wasn't ghostwritten. How does the PM for the past seven years (and opposition leader for several years before that) have time to research and write a history book? If it's done well -- and the reviews say that it is -- then surely it must have required the efforts of somebody working on it full-time.

Can't find the quote, but read yesterday that he had been spending 15 minutes everyday for the past 11 years or so writing this book.

Ducay · 02-08-2013, 01:35 PM

Do you guys really think the PM is really dumb enough to publish a ghost-written book under his own name? Even if he let MacGregor write half, he would have credited him as such, he's not going to risk his reputation, etc, over a book he's not making any money on.

MarchHare · 02-08-2013, 02:12 PM

Why would using a ghostwriter tarnish his reputation or career? I'm hardly Harper's biggest supporter, but that wouldn't affect my opinion of him at all.

Sliver · 02-08-2013, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MarchHare

Why would using a ghostwriter tarnish his reputation or career? I'm hardly Harper's biggest supporter, but that wouldn't affect my opinion of him at all.

LOL, you've consistently either misread or misunderstood everything that's been posted so far.

Ducay was just saying he's not going to risk his reputation by being dishonest about who wrote the book.

MoneyGuy · 02-08-2013, 07:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilderPegasus

Sorry but I thought you were being sarcastic.

Nope, I appreciate Harper's talents.

No harm done.

RougeUnderoos · 02-08-2013, 07:48 PM

Kinda reminds me of Mr. Burns book "Will There Ever Be A Rainbow". There was a bit of a ghostwriter controversy in that one too. Ol' Burnsy fired his ghostwriter, and penned his autobiography himself. The similarities don't end there.

"Mr. Harper said in the release. “I hope all who read the book enjoy it as much as I enjoyed the experience of writing it.”

The final lines of Mr. Burns book:

"I enjoyed writing this book as much as you enjoyed reading it. The End."