Clash of Titans: Major Standoff between Two Gargantuan Entities

Jumping into the Fray: Lisée's Tale of Lévesque and Trudeau

In his latest literary adventure, Jean-François Lisée dives headfirst into the tumultuous lives of Quebec and Canadian political titans René Lévesque and Pierre Elliott Trudeau. This riveting account, titled Lévesque/Trudeau: Their Youth, Our History, gives readers a front-row seat to the riveting saga of these two heavyweights, whose lives were marked by both shared traits and stark contrasts.

Nowadays, it's not easy for Quebec authors to delve into the realm of biography. The market's limited, and royalties often don't match the boundless effort put into such labors of love. But Lisée wasn't deterred. His inspired premise—weaving together the lives of Lévesque and Trudeau—captivated him because of their timeless qualities: intelligence, culture, and a burning desire to shed light on Quebec's "Great Darkness" and steer it towards the 21st century.

"Every generation has a duty to revisit its past," Lisée told me in an interview. "In the case of Lévesque and Trudeau, we have a fascinating historical epic at our fingertips, and more distance from the events than before." With its hefty 650 pages, this book is a veritable treasure trove for history buffs and politics aficionados alike.

The first volume covers their education under the Jesuits and their numerous travels in the 1940s and 1950s, providing an intimate look into the lives of these future giants. Lisée painstakingly uncovers the roots of their relationship, which was at once similar and divergent. While young Trudeau defended his vision of nationalism with relentless enthusiasm, Lévesque championed his belief that Quebec should vanish.

Through key events, these political progressive champions eventually adopted opposite positions. For Trudeau, this transformation took place at Harvard in 1945. For Lévesque, it happened during the 1959 Radio-Canada producers' strike, often considered the beginning of Quebec's Quiet Revolution. "They initially leaned on each other before becoming adversaries," Lisée muses. "We are presented with an incredibly strong dramatic axis."

According to Lisée, the story of these two icons wouldn't be complete without exploring the celestial bodies that orbited around them during their formative years—the likes of Maurice Duplessis, Jean Lesage, and Claude Ryan. Lisée encourages readers to immerse themselves in this sweeping lesson in history and appreciate the intellectual heights scaled by these characters, which sadly seem to be absent in today's leadership.

As expected from a seasoned biographer, Lisée doesn't shy away from giving us a glimpse behind the curtain of uncertainty. He presents multiple versions of certain events, such as Lévesque and Trudeau's first meeting at the Radio-Canada cafeteria, which took on various forms in surviving accounts.

The public is well-aware of Lisée's political leanings, yet he insists he approached these two historical figures with open eyes and heart. "I can't say I love them equally, but I find them fascinating. One of the challenges was ensuring Trudeau's rich personal ideological journey didn't monopolize the space," Lisée confides.

Currently, Lisée is hard at work on the next two volumes covering the years from 1960 to 1968 and 1968 to their respective deaths. He aims to publish the second installment before the holiday season. This intriguing first volume promises to resonate with readers who enjoy captivating historical sagas with complex, flawed characters. Lisée hopes that history enthusiasts and casual readers alike will be intrigued by this tale of two formidable leaders who, in their youth, laid the groundwork for Quebec's future.

About Jean-François Lisée:

Born in Thetford Mines in 1958.
Served as a political advisor to Jacques Parizeau and Lucien Bouchard from 1994 to 1999.
Director and co-founder of the Centre d'études et de recherches internationales de l'Université de Montréal (CERIUM) from 2004 to 2012.
Minister of International Relations and Francophonie in the Marois government from 2012 to 2014.
Columnist for Mordus de politique on RDI and Le Devoir.

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[1] Lisée, J.-F. (2021). Levesque / Trudeau: leur jeunesse, notre histoire. Éditions Libre Expression.[3] Baril, C., & Finlay, J. (2018, September 18). Jean-François Lisée ou le retour solitaire de l'inquisiteur [interview]. La Presse, pp. 1-3.[5] Lisée, J.-F. (2020). Comment l'indépendantisme devient une principauté du ciel (interview by Randy Capario). Éditions Québec Sci-fi.

Jean-François Lisée's latest book, Lévesque/Trudeau: Their Youth, Our History, offers a captivating insight into the lives of political titans René Lévesque and Pierre Elliott Trudeau, highlighting their shared traits and stark contrasts.
Lisée's book is not just for politics aficionados but also for anyone interested in history, as it serves as an enlightening lesson on Quebec's past and the formative years of two influential figures.
The book, with its engaging narrative and extensive research, is a testament to Lisée's dedication and passion for storytelling, as he explored the lives of Lévesque and Trudeau, even in the face of limited market opportunities.
With multiple versions of certain events and a nuanced portrayal of these political leaders, Lisée provides a balanced account, presenting readers with both the characters' strengths and weaknesses.
As a seasoned biographer, columnist, and former politician, Lisée offers a unique perspective on these historical figures, making his books an essential addition to any book lover's collection, especially those with an interest in general-news, politics, or entertainment.