NEVER RETREAT, NEVER EXPLAIN, NEVER APOLOGIZE
My Life, My Politics

"Never retreat, never explain, never apologize; just get the thing done and let them howl"
Nellie McClung

Like Famous Fiver Nellie McClung, Deborah Grey is known as one of the more outspoken in the Canadian political arena. She is a larger than life figure on Parliament Hill, arriving for work dressed in black leather riding gear astride her Honda Goldwing motorcycle, appearing on the always skewering This Hour Has 22 Minutes and more. Her ability to spar with words is unmatched. She is the author of such memorable sobriquets as "Shawinigan Strangler" (Jean Chretien), "Binder Boy" (former Chretien fixer Don Boudria), "Miss Management" (former human resources minister Jane Stewart), and "Captain Whirlybird" (Paul Martin). A politician's politician, Grey certainly has a way with words: On Martin's refusal to help the military she said "Tanks for nothing." And refers to her friend and mentor Preston Manning as "Misterbrainiola."

Never Retreat, Never Explain, Never Apologize is the candid story of a woman who grew up in a family ravaged by a father's alcohol abuse, a woman who has learned and shares the healing values of family, friendship, mentoring, and faith. It is her story of day to day life working as a teacher, as a single foster mother to native children. And it is the behind the scenes story of her triumphant ascent in politics ultimately making Canadian history by becoming the first Reform Party MP and seeing her one seat in 1989 grow to 52 seats in 1993 and to 60 seats in 1997, forming the Official Opposition.

Never Retreat, Never Explain, Never Apologize is a personal memoir that will open your eyes to life on Parliament Hill and provide insight into what motivates a fighter like Deborah Grey to embark on a life in politics. It is also an inspired story of how someone of humble beginnings with genuine ambition and an indefatigable sense of fun and energy can go on to accomplish great things.