Books by Mark

The 1867 Project: Why Canada Should Be Cherished—Not  Cancelled

From assaults on historical figures such as John A. Macdonald to cancel culture and charges that Canada once engaged in genocide, the country that every generation and every immigrant built is now facing constant, corrosive attacks.

How did this happen?  

In The 1867 Project, twenty critical thinkers provide answers: we are awash in relentless grievance narratives and utopians who expect Canada’s history to be perfect. The rise of critical theory, identity politics, and politicized propaganda in the education system also play a part.

These pan-Canadian authors challenge the naysayers and their caustic criticisms, but also give us a positive path forward. They show how truth-telling, informed history, and renewing a Canada where citizens unite around laudable, time-tested ideas will create a freer, flourishing Canada for us all.

The Victim Cult

How the grievance culture hurts everyone and wrecks civilizations

In this wide-ranging look at why societies fail or succeed, The Victim Cult explains how victim cults arise: Relentless blame of others, faulty moral reasoning, and misguided identity politics.

No one disputes that some people are victims—of others, accidents, and life…

But we also all know someone who seems stuck. They make life worse because of an intense focus on the past. On a personal level, the chronic victim-thinker can be toxic. But what happens when victim narratives dominate entire societies?

The Victim Cult tackles this too-easy reflex to take offense and blame others, from college campuses to the heights of political power. It also infects citizens who see each other as victims or privileged but never as diverse individuals with choices.

Victim cults are not new. Some have deep roots and end in disaster. Many 19th-century Germans thought they were victims of the French, English, liberalism, and Jews. Adolf Hitler later exploited that victim narrative to turn the land of Bach and Beethoven into the nation known for Dachau. Yasser Arafat viewed Palestinians and himself only as victims. When offered a peace deal with Israel, he cratered it, preferring blame and terror over peace.

Moving beyond victimhood

The Victim Cult also details the more positive lessons from those who were harmed but yet succeeded: the example of early Asian immigrants who courageously dealt with injustices and trumped prejudice, but also aimed at integration, education, and entrepreneurship—choices that built a better civilization with opportunities for all.

“Belongs on your shelf next to Dalrymple and Jordan B. Peterson. The Victim Cult is genius. I consider it the perfect companion to Icarus Fallen---another work teeming with insight on the twisted psychology of post-modernism.” - Amazon reader review ★★★★★ from Leia Ben.

The Victim Cult: How the culture of blame hurts everyone and wrecks civilizations (Canadian version)

The book looks at the worldwide grievance culture from American college students to some Canadian indigenous leaders and on to politcal leaders of all stripes. Justin Trudeau’s apology culture is also analyzed. The Victim Cult also details the tragic historical consequences when victim narratives go viral and destroy entire societies and civilizations.

The Victim Cult also chronicles the refusal of some who were victimized to remain stuck there. Examples include the struggles of early Asian Americans and their rise over 150 years as a positive example and a counter-example to permanent victim thinking.

Reviews

“This excellent book was eight years in the writing and it shows. But not because it is pedantic; on the contrary, Milke wears his scholarship lightly. His crisp, polished prose belies the exhaustive research that permits him to speak out so boldly and broadly on what is a sensitive, often culturally weaponized subject.” — Barbara Kay, National Post. Read the full review here.

“There’s a lot to this complex but readable book. Milke’s background in political philosophy and real-world public policy allows him to weave together elements from the key disciplines to explain what we have come to think of as a singularly modern phenomenon – the victim cult – but which has deep roots in human development and has time and again proven toxic to societies ancient and modern….It’s a lot to chew on and Milke could easily have drowned in his own ambition, but as a writer he’s no slouch and manages to stick to the point and make his arguments convincingly in around 300 pages.” — Paul Stanway, C2C Journal, Read the full review here.

Reader reviews

“In reading this book, I saw what I had learned put in print for the first time: The false narratives or ideologies that convince people that they are doomed to fail and that someone else or something else is to blame. There is plenty of blame to go around, but I prefer finding solutions.” —Ellis Ross, former elected chief councillor, Haisla First Nation, from the foreword

“The Victim Cult is genius. I consider it the perfect companion to Icarus Fallen---another work teeming with insight on the twisted psychology of post-modernism. Mark is a visionary and an extremely talented writer. Do not pass this one up. Buy today.” - Ben Barfett

In Canada, ask for The Victim Cult in your local bookstore. Also available from Chapters.Indigo and Amazon.ca. U.S. and international buyers can buy the new U.S. edition at local bookstores, Amazon.com, Books-A-Million, and Barnes & Noble.

Ralph vs. Rachel

Albertans elected two starkly unique premiers in the past 25 years. The first was Ralph Klein, a high-school dropout who, as premier, cut government spending and taxes and saw his popularity soar. Klein was a hard-drinking, reforming politician far more comfortable with blue-collar Albertans than bluebloods. He never lost an election and was known simply as “Ralph.”

Another premier, Rachel Notley, defied expectations and in 2015 broke up the 44-year Conservative government dynasty. Notley, presiding over Alberta’s first NDP government, soon wrenched the province in a radically new direction: with higher taxes, green-friendly policy, and activist government. The new premier entered office just as oil prices plunged, as did her chance at a balanced budget.

Both premiers entered office in similar fiscal crises and the book describes what that meant for unemployment lines, careers and Albertans. In a contrarian take, I argue that Rachel Notley was delivered a bad hand and that Klein saved health care and education, protected the Heritage Fund, and rescued Canada’s unemployed from coast to coast—and that few of Klein’s successes were due to luck.

Ralph vs. Rachel: A tale of two premiers is available in bookstores, direct, at Indigo/Chapters, and e-versions available at Indigo/Chapters and Amazon.ca .

“I just finished reading your latest book Ralph vs. Rachel. I couldn't put the book down! A great read I would recommend to anyone interested in the facts! The results of the two premiers speak for themselves and "Ralph vs. Rachel" does a great job of illustrating this!” -Kai Nome on Linked In

“Mark Milke, formerly of Barbarians in the Garden City struck gold here. Refraining from inflammatory rhetoric, Mark stuck to statistics and historical facts to back up his assertions overly interventionist governance leads to bad outcomes. Now if only others - especially in U.S. politics - could write like him! - J. A. Kunzler on Amazon.com

“Well documented juxtaposition of two political personalities and ideologies by a savvy and knowledgeable Albertan. An easy, enlightening and timely read.”-Jesse on Amazon.com

To order a personalized, autographed copy of Ralph vs. Rachel, please click here.

Tax Me I'm Canadian! 

Tax Me I'm Canadian! is a national bestseller and has a number of unique themes: How many Canadian taxes were first implemented in the United States-the type and higher rates only later migrated north; why government spending is too often under the control of special interests and not the public interest; why it's a myth that income tax is illegal or unconstitutional; a look at the debate over taxes and civilization; and how Canadians can get a better bang for their taxpayer buck.

"It's Milke's tax history lesson that offers the most brilliant inspiration: Let's take back our heritage. Let's go back to our Canadian roots. No more 'American-style' taxes on everything that moves." Linda Leatherdale, Toronto Sun

Published by Thomas & Black. Available at Chapters/Indigo and Amazon. 

Stealth Confiscation

In 1976, the Alberta government told an Edmonton farmer his private land was to be expropriated for a park. It offered him a pittance in compensation. Only in court, years later, did the province admit it actually wanted his land for a highway-which would have triggered much higher compensation.

Published in 2012, Stealth Confiscation details stories of infringed property rights. The book provides some remedies-a European approach to property where both expropriation and also "regulatory takings" (where a government devalues property through regulation) are both properly compensated for.   

Published by the Fraser Institute. Available at your local bookstore or online for free .

A Nation of Serfs?

Imagine if a one-time IRA member had toasted the break-up of Great Britain only to later marry a British royal-and remain unapologetic. Something like this happened in Canada when a new Governor-General was appointed and her husband turned out to be a founder of the Front de libération du Québec-a 1970s-era terrorist, separatist cell that violently pursued Canada's break-up. 

"Only in Canada" one might say.

This book examines Canada's too-forgiving political culture which leads to multiple absurdities that fray the national fabric.     

Published in 2006 by Wiley & Sons. Out of print but you may be able to find a copy at www.abebooks.com.