That's Rich: the Rise and Fall of the BC Liberals

Book excerpt: In the unpredictable tangle of British Columbian politics, people and the parties they represent can appear, ascend, and then vanish in notoriety or irrelevance, all before your eyes. The pièce de résistance? Truth doesn’t have to factor into it. A scandalous narrative has the power to control public perception. This is untangled in the story of Rich Coleman and the BC Liberals. Coleman was in the hot seat for twenty-four years. In his time he was called everything from Wyatt Earp to a knuckle-dragger, a criminal to a hero. The truth, of course, is always more complicated than the sound bites, and his story deserves more accuracy than the news stories gave it. Through Coleman’s eyes, you’ll have a close look at the highs and lows of the BC Liberals’ political journey. You’ll also see the painstaking, critical work behind the scenes while the province was distracted by controversies. Coleman’s work restructured institutions and built a new BC industry. Whatever you think of the BC Liberals, you will have to admit it’s quite the story—and Rich Coleman will surprise you, if you give him the chance.