Outsider - by Jeremy Akerman (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Jeremy Akerman's no-holds-barred memoir, running from his childhood in Wales to archaeological digs in Cape Breton, into and out of the political arena, and through his career as an actor, offers a look, both searing and hilarious, at a life well-spent.

Akerman grew up in Wales, studied painting, and gained skills in several fields and a strong sense of the need for political change as a young man. He emigrated to Canada as a young man and soon became involved in provincial politics. He lead the Nova Scotia New Democratic Party from 1968 to 1980. He then joined the Conservative government as head of Intergovernmental Affairs.

He tells the story of his rise and sometimes bumpy passage through the Nova Scotia government, and how, on ending his career in politics, he began another celebrated one on stage and in movies.

The book includes a "rogue's gallery" of Akerman's trenchant and sometimes hilarious evaluations of politicians and actors, and a look at the current state of politics and society from the vantage point of nearly eight decades of observing and doing.

Review Quotes

Akerman's memoirs are by turns charming, evocative, funny, heartbreaking, and merciless-and always observant. From his childhood in Wales through his hilarious coming-of-age as a young artist, to a reckless emigration to Canada, decades in politics and government and a career in movies, Akerman brings the same wit and conscience to all phases of his career. He pulls no punches in his assessment of the good, the bad and the ugly.

Michele Raymond, former NDP MLA

Jeremy Akerman has been a strong influence in all of the varied careers he has taken up. These he chronicles in his outspoken style, not hesitating to express his views, even when they might not they might not portray some of his many friends and acquaintances in a complimentary light. Political correctness is not his strong suit. Jeremy has continued to have success as an actor, writer and painter. He has called on his eidetic memory to craft a memoir which is uncompromisingly frank, irreverent and entertaining, chronicling the life of a "renaissance man".

Arthur Donohoe, former Speaker of the House of Assembly of Nova Scotia