Common Ground: Exclusive Edition

By: Justin Trudeau

Narrated by: Justin Trudeau, Colm Feore

Length: 8 hrs and 4 mins

Publisher's Summary

Featuring a new foreword written and narrated by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Justin Trudeau has spent his life in the public eye. From the moment he was born, the first son of an iconic prime minister and his young wife, Canadians have witnessed the highs and the lows, sharing in his successes and mourning with him during tragic times. But few beyond Justin's closest circle have heard his side of his unique journey, or his new perspective on what that story means since taking office.

Now, in this exclusive edition of Common Ground, which features a new foreword, Justin Trudeau reveals how the events of his life have influenced him and formed the ideals that drive him today. He explores, with candor and empathy, the difficulties of his parents' marriage and the effect it had on a small boy and the close relationship with a father whose exacting standards were second only to his love for his sons. He explores his political coming of age during the tumultuous years of the Charlottetown Accord and the Quebec Referendum and reflects on his time as a teacher, which was interrupted by the devastating losses of his brother and father. We hear how a connection was forged with a beautiful young woman, Sophie Gregoire, who had known the Trudeaus in earlier days.

Through it all, we come to understand how Justin found his own voice as a young man and began to solidify his understanding of Canada's strengths and potential as a nation. We hear what drew Justin toward politics and what led to his decision to run for office. Through Justin's eyes, we see what it was like in those first days of seeking the Liberal nomination for Papineau, when it was just he and Sophie and a clipboard in a grocery store parking lot, and how hard work and determination won him not only the nomination but two hard-fought elections. We learn of his reaction to the considerable Liberal defeat in 2011 and how it clarified his belief that the Liberal Party had lost touch with Canadians - and how that summer he was far from considering a run for the Liberal leadership but contemplating whether to leave politics altogether. And we learn why, in the end, he decided to help rejuvenate the Liberal Party and to run for the leadership and for prime minister.

But mostly, Justin shares with listeners his belief that Canada is a country made strong by its diversity, not in spite of it, and how our greatest potential lies in finding what unites us, in building on a sense of shared purpose - our common hopes and dreams - and in coming together on common ground.

The PM will be donating his proceeds from this work to the Canadian Red Cross Society.

Download the accompanying reference guide.

©2014 Justin Trudeau (P)2018 Audible, Inc.

Common Ground to the House of Commons

In his autobiography, written before his election as Prime Minister of Canada, Trudeau describes a high-flying moral philosophy that includes equal rights for Indigenous peoples and women, as well as a passion for honest stewardship of the national interest.

Now, after nearly four years in power, we view the wreckage of a mishandled term in office. Two powerful members of his cabinet, both women, have resigned over Trudeau's questionable handling of the sleazy SNC-Lavalin affair, and two high-ranking bureaucrats have jumped ship in the wake of this political scandal. Indigenous peoples still struggle with inadequate housing and undrinkable water, and abandoned veterans languish in continuing poverty where they were dumped by Stephen Harper's Conservative government in 2006.

There have been successes, but they pale in comparison to the failures.

All in all, Trudeau comes across as a sincere, standup guy who wants what is best for the country. If only he would grow a backbone and tackle the difficult files, such as the current dustup with China. With Harper wannabe Andrew Scheer nipping at his heels, Trudeau owes the country his best effort.

Narrator Colm Feore does a stellar job. He sounds so much like the prime minister that I had to keep reminding myself that it was indeed Feore who was speaking, and not Trudeau. One quibble: Ayn Rand's first name is pronounced "Ine", not "Ain".

1 person found this helpful

Mesmerizing

I love this book. Wish that more political leaders were like him.
Authentic, polite, educated

3 people found this helpful

Pronunciation

I enjoyed Justin,s story . I remember the day he was born ( I'm giving away my age ) .
The one thing I found hard listening to was when a French word was said , it sounded garbled . It was said so quickly , I wasn't able to understand the word that was said ie. the school Justin went to as a kid . I wanted to google it , but I couldn't grasp the name . I don't speak French , but that doesn't stop me from sounding out the word .
Other than that , I enjoyed listening to the story . Thank you .

4 people found this helpful

Take a look at Canada

Loved this book! With all that’s been happening it is so nice to here a politician that doesn’t just talk a good story, but follows through on what they believe!