In his surprise bestseller The Life, Steve Paikin told the stories of honourable politicians who worked hard and were often well rewarded with political success. In The Dark Side, he shines a light on the politicians who not only experienced the life’s exhilarating highs, but also felt its crushing lows.

Swept up in dramatic events beyond their control, many of these public figures found themselves powerless to change their destiny. Some were only temporarily thrown off course, but for others, the devastation was profound. Paikin’s profiles include those of former provincial premiers David Peterson, Bob Rae, Allan Blakeney, William Vander Zalm, Roy Romanow, and John Savage. He also shows us just how brutal politics can be for women by looking at the fates of Lynda Haverstock of Saskatchewan, Nancy MacBeth of Alberta, and Ontario’s Lyn McLeod.

Intelligent, incisive, and persistent, The Dark Side explores the fascinating lives of those who choose to enter the arena of public service—whatever the cost.

Steve Paikin is anchor and senior editor of The Agenda with Steve Paikin, TVO’s flagship current affairs program since 2006. He has written three previous books on politics, including Paikin and the Premiers, and one on hockey. Paikin has spent thirty years in journalism, twenty of them at Ontario’s provincial broadcaster. He lives in Toronto.

Steve Paikin's profile page