Recently been distracted by reading and thoroughly enjoying Farley Mowat's My discovery of America. A hilarious book. In 1978 Farley Mowat was going to do a promotional tour for his new book Sea of Slaughter when he was stopped a the border (Toronto airport)and told he was not permitted to enter. Since he had entered the United states many times before, this was puzzling. After the media got wind of the story the U.S. government tried many spins on why he was not allowed (e.g. falls under communism stuff,'has to do with his character' but we won't say why to protect his privacy, and then moves on to other reasons, won't spoil the book)... Reagan that very day had been at an art exhibit celebrating the USA's freedom of expression.

What made this book was the reaction of Mowat and others to the situation. "I have frequently found myself on a collision course with the kind of establishment fonctionniares (sp?) who I collectively call 'cement heads'. These are the often arrogant and always insensitive automatons who populate far to many echelons of every nations .. structures.. A long time ago - in self defence - I discovered how best to deal with them- ridicule and mockery.

From the USA's offer to meet him on 'peace bridge' to review his file (He refused and told them they would have to apologize and send air force one to pick him up), changing government stories, and many letters of outrage from Canadians and Americans alike this is a hilarious book. If your library has it, it is a wonderful and funny read. ( )