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The Premiers Joey and Frank: Greed, Power, and Lust
Bestselling author Bill Rowe dishes up a long-awaited tell-all memoir that covers the years he spent in the political arena with Newfoundland premiers Joey Smallwood and Frank Moores.
In this federal election, Browne was running for the Tories in St. John’s West, which was way over on the Avalon Peninsula. And here was Joey, making him the main focus of his ridicule and venom in a rally 700 kilometres away in the Humber-St. George’s riding, as he now led the audience in a rousing chant of “Billy Browne is going down.” . . . The huge crowd of all sorts, including respectable businessmen and professionals and their oh-so-proper spouses, [sat] there with flushed faces and fervent eyes, caterwauling out their frenzied malediction of someone they’d barely heard of, let alone knew, on the other side of the island: “Billy Browne is going down, Billy Browne is going down.”
*
. . . What I [saw on TV] convinced me that Moores had made himself a master of the medium, delivering his lines as effortlessly as a comedian in the Catskills. I remember his description of us in Joey’s cabinet: The Liberal ministers were like Hush Puppies, he said. You buy them, lace up the tongue, and find them comfortable to walk on.
The Premiers Joey and Frank is three stories in one. First is Premier Joseph Roberts Smallwood’s, whose ego and force of personality dominated every room he walked into, and strained to the breaking point every personal relationship he had. The latter half of the book covers Premier Frank Moores and his mixed personal motives, combined with a singularity of political purpose: Get Smallwood. Entwined in both these stories is that of Bill Rowe’s own roller-coaster political life, where family and partisan politics were often inseparable. This is a riveting, entertaining, and often hilarious account of three men who aimed high, Icarus-like, and who earned three very different places in the history of this province.
#8 on the Globe and Mail (Canadian Non-Fiction) Bestseller List (October 12, 2013)
#8 on the Globe and Mail (Biography) Bestseller List (October 12, 2013)
Selected by The Hill Times as one of the Best 100 Books in Politics, Public Policy, and History in 2013 (December 16, 2013)
In this federal election, Browne was running for the Tories in St. John’s West, which was way over on the Avalon Peninsula. And here was Joey, making him the main focus of his ridicule and venom in a rally 700 kilometres away in the Humber-St. George’s riding, as he now led the audience in a rousing chant of “Billy Browne is going down.” . . . The huge crowd of all sorts, including respectable businessmen and professionals and their oh-so-proper spouses, [sat] there with flushed faces and fervent eyes, caterwauling out their frenzied malediction of someone they’d barely heard of, let alone knew, on the other side of the island: “Billy Browne is going down, Billy Browne is going down.”
*
. . . What I [saw on TV] convinced me that Moores had made himself a master of the medium, delivering his lines as effortlessly as a comedian in the Catskills. I remember his description of us in Joey’s cabinet: The Liberal ministers were like Hush Puppies, he said. You buy them, lace up the tongue, and find them comfortable to walk on.
The Premiers Joey and Frank is three stories in one. First is Premier Joseph Roberts Smallwood’s, whose ego and force of personality dominated every room he walked into, and strained to the breaking point every personal relationship he had. The latter half of the book covers Premier Frank Moores and his mixed personal motives, combined with a singularity of political purpose: Get Smallwood. Entwined in both these stories is that of Bill Rowe’s own roller-coaster political life, where family and partisan politics were often inseparable. This is a riveting, entertaining, and often hilarious account of three men who aimed high, Icarus-like, and who earned three very different places in the history of this province.
#8 on the Globe and Mail (Canadian Non-Fiction) Bestseller List (October 12, 2013)
#8 on the Globe and Mail (Biography) Bestseller List (October 12, 2013)
Selected by The Hill Times as one of the Best 100 Books in Politics, Public Policy, and History in 2013 (December 16, 2013)
327 pages, Paperback
First published September 12, 2013
1 person is currently reading
10 people want to read
About the author
Bill Rowe
18 books7 followersWilliam Neil "Bill" Rowe, QC is a former politician, lawyer, broadcaster, and writer in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. He is married to Penelope Ayre Rowe of St. John's, who is a member of the Order of Canada. They have a son, Dorian, a daughter, Toby, and three grandchildren.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 30, 2018
A well-written and entertaining account of Rowe's political and personal experiences with the two premiers. 3/4 of the book focuses on Smallwood rather than Moore but Rowe provides a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse at the political-goings on in the province immediately before Smallwood's election and onwards, as well as painting an interesting portrait of Newfoundland's eccentric and ambitious first premier. It made for an excellent and enjoyable read and I learned quite a bit as well.
April 11, 2020
An insiders look into Newfoundland politics. Also, Joey is under the microscope showing warts and all.
May 12, 2023
Good local book
Wish there were picture of the politicians
Wish there were picture of the politicians
November 5, 2018
Another one of the Bill Rowe personal histories, this was an enchanting piece describing the 50's, 60's and 70's in NL as well as anyone could hope to read. Of course, this comes with the caveat that personal memories are bound to be bent and impartial -- I would not recommend this in that context in any way.
It was a joy for me, however, to read what the person of Joey Smallwood was like -- and how this matched up with what I have seen in other works. The old giant really seems to have been a towering figure, and the way he operates comes through very nicely in Mr Rowe's history.
The same could be said about Frank Moores, but it is even more interesting as very little of what's published here can be accessed otherwise as part of public encyclopaedias (based on a few quick searches I undertook). This is to mean, for me, that really this personal angle that the author displays is very useful in trying to get a sense of what life might have been like under Premier Moore.
As such, this is a perfect work if one remembers the partial nature of it and can read a work without believing that politics needs to be serious. It doesn't, and it rarely is -- these memoirs highlight the fun part of it.
This review was originally posted on my blog.
It was a joy for me, however, to read what the person of Joey Smallwood was like -- and how this matched up with what I have seen in other works. The old giant really seems to have been a towering figure, and the way he operates comes through very nicely in Mr Rowe's history.
The same could be said about Frank Moores, but it is even more interesting as very little of what's published here can be accessed otherwise as part of public encyclopaedias (based on a few quick searches I undertook). This is to mean, for me, that really this personal angle that the author displays is very useful in trying to get a sense of what life might have been like under Premier Moore.
As such, this is a perfect work if one remembers the partial nature of it and can read a work without believing that politics needs to be serious. It doesn't, and it rarely is -- these memoirs highlight the fun part of it.
This review was originally posted on my blog.
November 10, 2013
This book should come with a disclaimer, "Caution highly addictive". It took me 40 years to know what I liked to read! I finally discovered my book of choice is true story, scoop and skinny! The Premiers: Joey and Frank fits this to a tee. I found myself reflecting and recalling my memory on the many issues outlined in this book. Anyone born in the 50's or earlier and/or somewhat familiar with Newfoundland and Labrador politics should make this book a must read! It is very entertaining and insightful! Great job Bill! Looking forward to your next book about more current premiers!
May 20, 2025
Every time I see the name “ Flanker press “ I always get it no matter what
I enjoyed this book
It has taken me a bit longer than expected to finish but it’s a lot of history to wrap your head around
There is a lot of historic facts and events i this book
Feels pretty dragged out and slow at times
But keep reading
A lot of important history behind my province of Newfoundland
I never knew about
Good book especially if you like history
Read while at work on Tanker Damia Desgagnes ⚓️
I enjoyed this book
It has taken me a bit longer than expected to finish but it’s a lot of history to wrap your head around
There is a lot of historic facts and events i this book
Feels pretty dragged out and slow at times
But keep reading
A lot of important history behind my province of Newfoundland
I never knew about
Good book especially if you like history
Read while at work on Tanker Damia Desgagnes ⚓️
November 4, 2013
"A voyeuristic and tantalizing trip through the workings of the government by a man who was there. " -- The Pilot
January 30, 2016
A fabulous read. A great insight of turbulent years in NL politics and a full of humor
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April 29, 2018Excellent book. Read it just after finishing Bills book "Danny Williams and the war on Ottawa", and while that was a good read, this was much better,I thought.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews