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History General

The Sense of Power

Studies in the Ideas of Canadian Imperialism, 1867-1914, Second Edition

by (author) Carl Berger

Publisher
University of Toronto Press
Initial publish date
May 2013
Category
General, North America, Great Britain
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9781442615779
    Publish Date
    May 2013
    List Price
    $49.95
  • eBook

    ISBN
    9781442668980
    Publish Date
    Nov 2013
    List Price
    $39.95

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Description

Prior to the publication of The Sense of Power most studies of the Canadian movement for imperial unity focused on commercial policy and military and naval cooperation. This influential book demonstrated that the movement – which held that Canada could only become a great nation within the British Empire – was significantly influenced by its leading advocates’ belief in nationalism. Carl Berger explores the emotional appeal and intellectual context of this belief, arguing that these advocates’ support of imperial unity can be grasped only in terms of their commitment to certain conservative values and in relation to their conception of Canada.

The Sense of Power was commended by the Toronto Star when it was first published as “entertaining as well as brilliant,” and in 2011 Ramsay Cook noted that “few first books, or for that matter few books, have made as marked an impact on the interpretation of a major theme in Canadian history.” This second edition brings to life the work’s incisive analysis and its important contribution to Canadian intellectual history.

About the author

Carl Berger, FRSC, is an emeritus professor in the Department of History at the University of Toronto.

Carl Berger's profile page