Kenneyism - by Jeremy Appel (Paperback)

About the Book

Through his thirty years in politics, Jason Kenney successfully shifted Canada's political discourse to the right. To do so, he cultivated a burgeoning right-wing populist movement, of which he ultimately lost control, leading to his downfall.

Book Synopsis

The harsh moralistic worldview of Jason Kenney has spurred right-wing populism to the mainstream in Canadian politics, but he unleashed forces he couldn't control.

From Jason Kenney's days as an anti-abortion activist at the University of San Francisco, and through his years as a Canadian Taxpayers Federation lobbyist, Reform MP, top cabinet minister in the Harper government, and Alberta premier, he has been single-mindedly driven to bring his harsh moralistic worldview into the mainstream.

Kenney took on the old guard of Canada's liberal consensus and won, playing a key role in shifting the country's political discussion to the right. But the very right-wing populist forces Kenney cultivated would come back to haunt him.

Jeremy Appel has observed Alberta politics and reported on various aspects of Kenney's agenda since 2017, when Kenney made his way across the province in his big blue pickup truck to rile up aggrieved conservatives. Kenneyism examines Kenney's political beliefs, his rise through federal political ranks, and his ultimate resignation from the leadership of the United Conservative Party.

Review Quotes

Kenneyism is both infuriating and funny, which you would expect from such twisted subject matter, but it makes for a rollicking road trip of a narrative, as though you are in the driver's seat of Kenney's blue pickup (which he never seemed to actually be able to drive himself), with Appel riding shotgun, explaining the campaign trail itinerary in an oversized cowboy hat and mustering his best Kenney impression.

-- "Hamilton Review of Books"

One of the first in-depth looks at Kenney's rise and fall in Canadian politics.-- "Dave Cournoyer, writer, Daveberta"

An insightful, comprehensive investigation and explanation of the rise and sudden fall of Jason Kenney - one of Canada's most consequential conservative activists of the 21st century.-- "Keith Brownsey, Professor of Economics, Justice, and Policy Studies, Mount Royal University"

Appel traces with unsparing candor how a politician who saw himself as the smartest man in the room proved instead too incompetent to hold high office. Ultimately, however, the fall of Jason Kenney is not a tragedy. The tragedy lies in the wreckage he has left in his wake.-- "Trevor Harrison, author, Of Passionate Intensity, and Professor of Sociology, University of Lethbridge"

Jeremy Appel's deep dive into the political life of Jason Kenney illuminates the life and intentions of an important though confusing political operative. All political watchers owe Appel a great debt for this in-depth look at such an enigmatic figure.-- "Nora Loreto, author of Spin Doctors"

More than the political biography of one man; it is a history of the populist far-right formations that have been gaining ground in Canada since the 1980s -- in which Jason Kenney has been a central figure.-- "Laurie Adkin, Professor of Political Science, University of Alberta"

Provocative, insightful and meticulously researched.-- "Graham Thomson, freelance columnist and long-time Alberta politics observer"

Piercing through the absurdly generous tributes that greeted its namesake's political downfall, Jeremy Appel has achieved something vital with Kenneyism; a rigorous critical reflection on one of the most significant reactionary politicians in modern Canadian history.

-- "Luke Savage, author of The Dead Center"

A thoughtful, well-researched, and accessible book that sheds sorely-needed light on the pervasive political influence of Jason Kenney.-- "Steve Sladkowski, musician, PUP"

Appel rigorously tracks the rise and fall of one of Canada's most prominent politicians. It's all here: what motivated Jason Kenney, how he became such a successful political strategist and why he was eventually toppled by his own party. A compelling read by a journalist with keen insight.-- "Gillian Steward, Toronto Star columnist, and former managing editor, Calgary Herald"

In this lively and readable account, Appel makes sense of Jason Kenney's ideology and the legacy he leaves in Ottawa and in Alberta.-- "Lisa Young, Professor of Political Science, University of Calgary"

About the Author

Jeremy Appel has been covering politics in Alberta since 2017. His work has appeared in CBC News, the National Observer, Jacobin, Ricochet, the Breach, the Maple, and the Canadian Jewish News, among other places, and writes the Orchard newsletter on Substack. He lives in Edmonton.