In his newest book, Ten Decisions, long-time Leaside resident and author Larry Rose explores why after entering the Second World War “totally unprepared” in 1939, Canada emerged “a nation transformed” in 1945.
Born and raised in British Columbia, Rose has been a Leasider for the past 25 years. He worked in broadcasting for more than 45 years, as a television news writer, a producer of CTV’s National News with Lloyd Robertson and an educator teaching broadcast journalism. A graduate of the COTC program, Larry was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the RCAC in 1966. His military background coupled with his keen interest in telling human stories makes Ten Decisions a compelling and informative read.
Rose has identified 10 crucial military and political decisions (the good, bad and the far-reaching) made by Canada during the Second World War. Starting with Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King’s decision to declare war in 1939, Rose takes the reader through Canada’s changing relationship with England, from the Ogdensburg Agreement, which moved Canada closer to the United States, to the disastrous Dieppe Raid in 1942, where Canada lost 60 per cent of the 5,000 soldiers who stormed ashore.
As the number of living Second World War veterans diminishes each year, Larry Rose’s work reminds us that decisions made so many years ago still have an impact on our lives today. When asked how he feels about the waning importance of Remembrance Day celebrations to some of our young people, Rose commented that it remains vital to honour our veterans because “freedom is not free.” Those who served so honourably have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Interested in reading more? Ten Decisions can be purchased through Dundurn Press (www.dundurn.com/books/Ten-Decisions) for $28.99.