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“Written by a leading authority on Alberta politics, the book is a devastating critique of Ralph Klein's policies and must reading for anyone interested in how the political game is played in Alberta. Part memoir, part political history and part blueprint for change, Vivone provides vivid insights into some of the major political figures and events in Alberta and asks tough questions about the nature of party politics and issues such as health care, the environment and economic diversification. The book is fascinating, thought-provoking and hard-hitting. For those interested in studies of power, it doesn't get better than this.”
David Taras, Professor
Faculty of Communications & Culture
University of Calgary
“A rollicking romp through 14 years of Alberta political history that made Ralph Klein one of the best known of Alberta premiers and one of the least understood. This book has humour, gossip and sharp policy criticism - you can't ask for more from a book about one of the most intriguing eras of Alberta political life.”
Mark Lisac
Publisher
Insight into Government
“Rich Vivone has produced an enjoyable book and a valuable resource for those wanting to understand politics and governance in Alberta. He translates over two decades of engagement in Alberta politics - 19 years publishing Insight into Government - into a fast-paced and highly readable account of how Ralph Klein reshaped the Alberta political scene and left a legacy that continues to influence the character of Alberta politics and government.
In twelve stand-alone essays, Vivone combines a dose of memoir with a serious journalistic attempt to look back and understand politics and governance during the Klein era. The essays delve into public policy (health and children’s policy), explore Alberta political culture (media, political apathy and fear) and examine the challenges of governing in an energy-dominated political economy. But, above all, they strive to understand the politics of Ralph Klein and his governments.
A keen observer of major political events, Vivone also manages to discover insights into politics in the subtle and apparently mundane events and conversations that occur just outside the spotlight of mainstream journalistic coverage - the result is a perfect compliment to other journalistic and academic analysis of the Klein era.”
Steve Patten
Associate Professor of Political Science
University of Alberta
“For nearly 20 years Rich Vivone was the original embedded independent reporter covering Alberta politics. His inside-the-action vantage point presents a unique 360-degree view of the day-by-day events of Alberta politics before, during and after the Klein years.
This collection of essays is an impressive effort and covers a lot of territory while maintaining an easy-to-read style. Through it all, Rich Vivone’s telling observations deliver real insight into where the Alberta Progressive Conservative government has taken Alberta and where they may direct Alberta into the future.
There are too few books covering this important period of Alberta politics; Ralph Could Have Been a Superstar is a wonderful addition to that small collection.”
Jim Wachowich
Legal counsel to the Consumers’ Coalition of Alberta
“In his approach to Alberta politics, Vivone is the perfect ‘critical friend’ - at the core, respectful and even affectionate, but unrelentingly straightforward, analytical and honest as well. He pulls no punches: Alberta’s Auditors-General ‘have become sheep,’ Alberta’s government has often relied on ‘fear and intimidation’, and the climate at times has been one where ‘the fear was palpable, the silence pervasive’. But clearly the criticism is to help us to understand, and to improve - and we should listen closely if we care about democracy and the public interest.
Perhaps the most helpful and unusual aspect of the book is that Vivone goes beyond simply analyzing the problems, and actually suggests solutions to the big political questions facing Albertans. His suggestions are thoughtful, principled and well-argued, and should be debated across the province by people who are tired of the anaemic political culture that has characterized Alberta for too long.”
Larry Booi
Board Chair
Public Interest Alberta
“Rich Vivone gives us a very revealing look at the Klein years and also a glimpse into Alberta’s longest-serving and in some ways enigmatic Premier, himself. It is a ‘must-read’ for anyone that is interested in Canadian politics and who wants to better understand the domination of the Conservative party in Alberta, and its significant influence within Confederation.
What will Ralph Klein’s legacy be to Alberta and within Canada, and how will Alberta’s longest-serving Premier be remembered? Rich Vivone’s extremely revealing book paves the way to the answers; and these answers are important to every Canadian.”
Gary McPherson
Former Chair
Premier’s Council on the Status of Persons with Disabilities
“There is for many an inexplicable delight in political pratfalls and kicks in the pants. Rich Vivone’s Ralph Could Have Been a Superstar provides lots of these. Ralph Klein and other key Alberta political actors provide plenty of slips and trips, while Vivone delivers some great boots. Vivone’s punts are swift but not savage; yet, they leave no doubt about what the author thinks of the policies and actions of Alberta’s parliamentary political elites and, too, of the province’s timid press.
Any thought that Ralph Could Have Been a Superstar is moribund stuff - the reminiscing about old battles of mostly retired political warriors - can be put immediately to rest by cheating and reading the final chapter first. This crowning piece is an open letter to the current premier, Ed Stelmach. Vivone distills his indictment of Klein, opining that with so much political power ‘he achieved so little when he could have achieved so much’, then challenges Stelmach to not fail in the same way.
Vivone’s passions and political values are in full display in the final chapter in which he offers policy prescription in three key areas: the role of government, the political process, and the place of Alberta in Confederation. Required reading for the last chapter is the previous chapters, which provide essential historical perspective; they are the meal to the dessert.
It is impossible to predict what lasting contribution this book will have in telling the tale of the Klein years. One thing is certain though, for anyone with an interest in Alberta provincial politics, it is a good read.”
Edward C. LeSage Jr.
Professor Emeritus
University of Alberta
"From his unique perspective as a political insider, Rich Vivone offers a vivid analysis of how Ralph Klein became Alberta's most controversial premier, how he transformed the province and where he fell short. In a clear, accessible style, Vivone also delivers a critique of Alberta's place on the national stage and the entrenchment of one-party dominance. Vivone's book is provocative and important reading for those who want to understand where Alberta is today."
Sheila Pratt
Feature Writer
Edmonton Journal
Ralph Could Have Been a Superstar: Tales of the Klein Era