A frequent criticism of political journalists is that they get too close to the people they are covering. On the other hand, biographers are sometimes seen by their subjects as having betrayed their trust (think Peter C. Newman and Brian Mulroney). There is almost no chance that former New Brunswick Premier Frank McKenna will feel aggrieved by the publication of Harvey Sawler’s largely enthusiastic bio. Although a case could be made that the author is a little too enamoured of his subject.

Indeed, Sawler, a Charlottetown-based author of fiction and non-fiction, first met McKenna when he was New Brunswick’s executive director of tourism and McKenna was premier. At times, the author comes across as a little bit star-struck. In the introduction, Sawler notes that McKenna’s interest in the tourism department exceeded that of other premiers. And the main themes running through the book are how McKenna is a very hard worker, a creative problem solver, and an honest broker (the phrase “no bullshit” is used repeatedly).

Part of the problem is that there is no obvious narrative for the story of McKenna’s post-political life, especially since he decided against running for the leadership of the Liberal Party of Canada. McKenna’s early life and political career is summarized in the first 50 pages of the book. The remainder is devoted to his lucrative stints on the boards of various companies, culminating in his current position as the deputy chair of TD Bank Financial Group, his one-year assignment as Canada’s ambassador to the U.S., his brief flirtation with the leadership of the federal Liberal Party, and his philanthropic work.

Beyond Politics offers no particularly original insight into life after elected office. Sawler managed to get great access to McKenna and those close to him, as well as many of his very prominent contemporaries, but he would have been better served talking to people who might have a more objective view of McKenna and considering the larger implications of McKenna’s trajectory from the premier’s office to the boards of various corporations.