Clash of Titans: Consequences for Two Industrial Magnates

Re-imagined Article:

In his latest publication, Jean-François Lisée delves into the lives of two iconic figures of Quebec and Canadian politics: René Lévesque and Pierre Elliott Trudeau. These political heavyweights, each possessing unique allure, crafted their eras through their brilliance, culture, and relentless pursuit of liberating their societies from the famous "Great Darkness" and heralding the 21st century.

Diving into the often fraught dynamics between these titans, Lisée maintains that every generation ought to re-examine its past. With the right distance, the tale of Lévesque and Trudeau offers a grand historical drama waiting to be unraveled.

This hefty volume, stretching over 600 pages, serves as a delightful read for those seeking intricate detail. Lisée, who penned an impressive biography on Robert Bourassa in the 90s, leaves no stone unturned in his examination of these two individuals. The first volume, concluding in 1960 as Lévesque joins Jean Lesage, will be followed by two more.

From their childhoods in New Carlisle for Lévesque and Outremont for Trudeau, through their Jesuit-guided studies that ignited fertile minds, to their far-flung travels in the 1940s and 1950s, we bear witness to the intersection of these destinies destined to collide.

The relationship between these men was characterized by both similarities and oppositions. In their nascent years, Trudeau exerted energy championing his brand of nationalism, while Lévesque advocated for Quebec's dissolution.

Formative events propelled these future leaders into surprisingly opposing positions. For Trudeau, this shift manifested at Harvard in 1945. For Lévesque, a dramatic reversal occurred in 1959, during the Radio-Canada producers' strike, an event marking the birth of Quebec's Quiet Revolution. These polar opposites eventually became adversaries, creating an incredibly strong dramatic axis.

Lisée's interview with the CBC highlights a significant difference between the hosts of Point de mire and the co-director of the Cité libre at that time. Lévesque questioned the need for anglophones and immigrants to learn French as francophones neared assimilation. Trudeau, meanwhile, believed immediate action was required to save the francophone community. Lévesque stood aloof, while Trudeau had one foot firmly planted in the arena.

Lisée invites readers to embark on a vast history lesson as he scrutinizes the stars orbiting Trudeau and Lévesque during their crucial years: Maurice Duplessis, Lionel Groulx, Jean Lesage, Jean Marchand, Robert Cliche, Gérard Pelletier, Judith Jasmin, André Laurendeau, Michel Chartrand, Georges-Henri Lévesque, and Claude Ryan. The intellectual caliber of these characters stands in stark contrast to contemporary leaders, leaving us eager to learn more.

An honest biographer, Lisée occasionally encountered fog when recounting critical episodes, such as the first Lévesque-Trudeau meeting in the Radio-Canada cafeteria or the fated gathering at the Mount Royal Hotel in May 1960. By presenting multiple versions of these events, Lisée invites us to dive into uncertainty, embracing a richer narrative often found in ambiguity.

Jean-François Lisée's political leanings are no secret. Writing a balanced biography required genuine passion for the characters. "Though I may not love them equally," Lisée mused, "I find them fascinating. I struggled to divide my attention between Trudeau's rich ideological journey and designing a narrative."

With research on the next two volumes well underway, Lisée aims to publish the sequel before the holiday season. The first volume sets sail and captivates a diverse audience, one that Lisée hopes includes those who typically enjoy Ken Follett's historical sagas. He envisions teachers using these books to help students understand the roots of the 21st-century Quebec.

Excerpt

The Radio-Canada cafeteria bustled with familiar faces. Lévesque, in a hurry, usually brushed past. However, on that fateful day, he paused, clutching a brimming coffee cup, a cigarette, and a stack of papers and newspapers in his arms. Spotting an acquaintance, Gérard Pelletier, huddled with a stranger, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, Lévesque approached.

They had first crossed paths during the presidential election of 1952, a contest pitting the United States’ Dwight Eisenhower against Adlai Stevenson.

[...]

Gérard Pelletier provides the most detailed account of the cafeteria meeting, recounting the event twice—first in an ONF interview in 1976, and later in his memoirs in 1983.

Who is Jean-François Lisée?

Born in Thetford Mines, 1958.
Paris correspondent for La Presse and Radio-Canada in the 1980s.
Political advisor to Jacques Parizeau and Lucien Bouchard, 1994–1999.
Co-founder and Director of the Centre d'études et de recherches internationales de l'Université de Montréal (CERIUM), 2004–2012.
Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie in the Marois government, 2012–2014.
Leader of the Quebec Parti, 2016–2018.
Columnist for Mordus de politique, on RDI and Le Devoir.

Levesque / Trudeau: Their Youth, Our History

Jean-François Lisée

The Lisée Box

650 pages

Jean-François Lisée's latest book, 'Levesque / Trudeau: Their Youth, Our History', delves into the political lives of René Lévesque and Pierre Elliott Trudeau, offering a captivating read for those interested in general-news, politics, and entertainment.
In the 1940s and 1950s, both Lévesque and Trudeau embarked on far-flung travels, shaping their unique political beliefs and fostering a relationship marked by similarities and oppositions.
Throughout the book, Lisée examines the intellectual caliber of characters orbiting Trudeau and Lévesque, including Maurice Duplessis, Lionel Groulx, and Gérard Pelletier, which stands in stark contrast to contemporary leaders.
The book invites readers to explore significant events unfolded during the political youth of Trudeau and Lévesque, such as the first meeting in the Radio-Canada cafeteria or the fated gathering at the Mount Royal Hotel in May 1960.
As Jean-François Lisée works on the sequels, he aims to offer readers a comprehensive portrayal of Trudeau and Lévesque's political journeys, drawing comparisons to historical sagas like those of Ken Follett, and ultimately helping students understand the roots of the 21st-century Quebec.