What they’re saying… 

“… a potent piece of political history and a must read. It’s a powerful call to action and a reminder for both the governed and those who seek to lead them --that  playing small serves no one. This is the story of Saskatchewan becoming a place where hope really does beat fear and where today, any party that claims moral superiority rather than a better idea does so at its peril.”
— Senator Pamela Wallin

“John lies. And he’s disingenuous.”
— Dwain Lingenfelter, Leader of the Saskatchewan NDP

“The Saskatchewan spirit can be summed up in one man -- John Gormley, the undisputed voice of the province, broadcaster, entertainer, teacher and a helluva story-teller. Gormley’s love for the province shines through his radio show, as he turns the entire province into his own coffee shop, sharing his opinions and hearing from his neighbours. What a guy.”
—    Ezra Levant, political commentator, bestselling author of Shakedown

“Shame, shame on him. He’s disturbing the community again…and he’d better leave the time alone, too.”
— “Shame Lady”

By the author’s own admission this book is a ‘rant’. However, it is a rant that merits attention for several reasons. Firstly, it resonates not only with a substantial percentage of the large Saskatchewan audience that listens to the ‘John Gormley Live’ radio talk show, but also with a substantial percentage of the rest of the population in the province.  Secondly, it provides interesting insights into some important facets of Saskatchewan’s political culture, public philosophies, politics, political parties and politicians. Thirdly, it provides as many insights into the political psyche of the influential author, who occupies a prominent role in framing and facilitating political discourse on a daily basis in Saskatchewan. Fourthly, it will provide readers with an opportunity to reflect on their own political psyche based on various issues raised in the book.

The book consists of several major components that will interest readers. One of these components is a critique of NDP governments and what the author depicts as their left-wing ideology and their willingness to settle for mediocrity, rather than the pursuit of excellence in governance. The begrudging respect that he has for their capacity to win elections is outweighed by what he depicts as an innate inability of the ‘natural governing party’ to govern. Another such component is a lament and a clarion call. His lament focuses on what he depicts as the loss of direction by successive governments and generations of voters, and on how Saskatchewan was left behind as a result of the legacy of successive governments that he depicts as too insular, too parochial, too ideological, and too committed to building walls rather than bridges with the rest of Canada and the world. His clarion call is aimed at all residents of the province to become more proactive to ensure that in the future they are not left out of governance, and that the province is not left behind either in the context of the federation or the world.  

The book has several humorous elements including: the ‘Saskatchewan Attitude Chart’ which differentiates between a “Saskatchewinner” and a ‘Saskatchewhiner’; the NDP holy trinity with Tommy Douglas as the father, Allan Blakeney as the son, and Roy Romanow as the Holy Ghost; and the fact that the Saskatchewan Roughriders have never won a Grey Cup when the NDP has been in government.

Some will be gladdened and others will galled by the contents of the book. However, it is doubtful that anyone who knows the author or the partisan political machinations of the Saskatchewan polity will be bored by it. 
— Joe Garcea, professor of political science, University of Saskatchewan