chapters.indigo.ca: Why I Hate Canadians: Will Ferguson: Books

About this Book

Format:Trade Paperback

Dimensions:0 Pages, 6.6 x 9 x 0.6 in

Published:August 1, 1997

Publisher:Douglas & McIntyre

Canadian Author

The following ISBNs are associated with this title:
ISBN - 10:1550546007
ISBN - 13:9781550546002

From Our Editors

Many Canadians define Canada by what it is not: it is not the United States. In Why I Hate Canadians, Will Ferguson criticizes Canadians for what they are not. Or rather, Ferguson criticizes Canadians for not living up to his expectations. Himself a disillusioned young Canadian, Ferguson embarked on a five-year, self-imposed Asian exile. Upon returning to Canada, he produced this 220-page rant on Canadians. This tirade on the average Canadian may seem like a strange addition to a book list that seeks to celebrate Canadian talents and highlight the Canadian past. However, it is a fascinating endeavour to explore the complaints of our fellow Canadians, and to identify the truths, falsities and misperceptions of the common Canadian character.

From the Publisher

Why I Hate Canadians is not your usual book about Canada and Canadians. Instead of asking "What's wrong with Canada?" author Will Ferguson asks "What's wrong with Canadians?"

Writing with punch and passion, Will Ferguson offers fresh insights into our national delusions. For instance, he figures out, at long last, the Canadian dream: success without risk. And he explains the three great themes of Canadian history: keeping the Americans out, keeping the French in, and trying to get the Natives to somehow disappear.

Why I Hate Canadians is brash. It is provocative. It is in your face. And it's funny. The book skewers the obsessions and myths that define us: the Mighty Beaver, the Royal Family, Quebec separatists, Johnny Canuck, multiculturalism, hockey, the Rockies, peacekeeping, maple this and maple that. This wake-up call challenges the notion that Canadians are particularly "nice," and it asks the question: Do we as Canadians deserve a country as great as Canada?

About the Author

Will Ferguson is the best-selling author of Bastards and Boneheads: Canada's Glorious Leaders Past and Present, Canadian History for Dummies and the tongue-in-cheek survey Why I Hate Canadians. His first novel, Generica, was published in spring 2001.

Other Editions

Format	List Price	Online Price
Trade Paperback	$19.95	$15.96

From The Community

Who's Listing it as a Top Ten

This title has appeared in 1 Top Ten list. See the most recent list below:

My Staff Picks - Non-Fiction

Peter , 13 months ago

This list contains: Why I Hate Canadians (Trade Paperback)
+ see more
- see less

Who's Blogging

This item has not yet appeared in a Post - be the first to post about this item!

Average Customer Rating:
Reviews from the Community19 Reviews

Write a Review

Anonymous
- 1 person found this helpful
Why I hate Will Ferguson.

2 years ago

Because I wish that I could have written this book. I'm a lot like Will Ferguson - I live in Japan, I have a jaded view towards both Japan and Canada, and I happen to agree with every single thing he says. Well, everything except for him putting down Nirvana. Other than that, Will Ferguson hits the hammer on the head with this collection of essays about the illusions of Canada that Canadians delude themselves with, that only an insider looking in from the outside could point out. Ferguson… + read more
- add a comment
- Was this helpful? yes no yes no
- report this
Wendy Chrapko
- 1 person found this helpful
Makes you laugh as you think.

3 years ago

I really enjoyed the book. I think it began to capture Canada's quiet but strong patriotism. It also poked holes in the way Canadians define themselves (in an often hilarious way) and for me put a new perspective on how we define ourselves. There were times that I would be laughing out loud! And now, every time I hear about how "nice" Canadians are, I just have to smile and think of this book.
- add a comment
- Was this helpful? yes no yes no
- report this
Karl Mamer
- 2 comments
- 1 person found this helpful
Canadians swallow a lot of their own propaganda

7 years ago

Will Ferguson had a good idea, attack the unassailable image Canadians have of themselves. It takes a traveled ex pat to see that Canadians swallow a lot of their own propaganda without applying a critical eye, or at least the same critical eye they apply to Americans who stumble north. Ask an American, German, or Japanese why their country is the greatest nation on earth and they'll make references to contributions to industry/science/history/culture. Ask a Canadian and he'll point to a UN… + read more
- add a comment
- Was this helpful? yes no yes no
- report this
Comments on this review:
- Terry Brown
  
  Karl, quit hatin' on your own country, man. Especially as it's THE GREATEST COUNTRY IN THE WORLD! You don't hate socialised medicine and Pierre Elliot ... + read more
  
  15 months ago
- Stacey Stace
  
  I just have to say..... as another well-travelled Canadian ex-pat living in the UK, I love my little delusions about our country. In fact, the longer I ... + read more
  
  15 months ago
Karl Mamer
- 1 person found this helpful
Too much padding

8 years ago

Will Ferguson had a good idea, attack the unassailable image Canadians have of themselves. It takes a traveled ex pat to see that Canadians swallow a lot of their own propaganda without applying a critical eye, or at least the same critical eye they apply to Americans who stumble north. Ask an American, German, or Japanese why their country is the greatest nation on earth and they'll make references to contributions to industry/science/history/culture. Ask a Canadian and he'll point to a UN… + read more
- add a comment
- Was this helpful? yes no yes no
- report this
Karl Mamer
over long, padded with boring anecdotes

8 years ago

Will Ferguson had a good idea, attack the unassailable image Canadians have of themselves. It takes a traveled ex pat to see that Canadians swallow a lot of their own propaganda without applying a critical eye, or at least the same critical eye they apply to Americans who stumble north. Ask an American, German, or Japanese why their country is the greatest nation on earth and they'll make references to contributions to industry/science/history/culture. Ask a Canadian and he'll point to a UN… + read more
- add a comment
- Was this helpful? yes no yes no
- report this