SOMETIMES A GREAT NATION: WILL CANADA BELONG TO THE 21ST CENTURY? Newman, Peter C. Toronto, McClelland and Stewart, 1988. 328pp, cloth. $27.95, ISBN 0-7710-6750-X. CIP Grades 10 and up/Ages 15 and up Reviewed by Joan Kerrigan Volume 17 Number 3 1989 May Peter Newman's latest book is a compilation of many articles he wrote for such publications as Maclean's, Financial Post, Canadian Geographic, City and Country Home, Saturday Wight and The Globe and Mail. The articles cover a period of approximately fifteen years and capture Newman's opinions on many issues, political and social. Newman has many cogent opinions about Canadians and the Canadian identity (including some comments on free trade). He also writes perceptively about the changes in Canadian attitudes from the time of Expo 67 to the present. He is guardedly optimistic about Canada's role in the next century, although he is somewhat concerned about the economic future of the United States and Canada's dependency on that economy. Newman has always been obsessed with heroes and has devoted a large segment of the book to essays about such diverse individuals as Wayne Gretzky, Hugh MacLennan, Bruce Hutchison, Claude Ryan and Harrison McCain. He also devotes a section of the book to such departed heroes as Judy LaMarsh, Walter Gordon, Bud McDougald and Marshall McLuhan. The main problem with this book in a school context is the lack of an index. Furthermore, much of the material will prove to be dated quite soon. (For example, Newman refers to Ray Hnatyshyn as the minister of Justice. Hnatyshyn was defeated in the last election.) The book's probable value in a secondary school would be as assigned supplementary reading In a Canadian history course. Senior students will enjoy reading most of the articles because Newman's Journalistic style is entertaining and absorbing. Recommended with a few reservations for secondary school libraries. Joan Kerrigan, Toronto Board of Education, Toronto, Ont.