Rants, Raves and Recollections

George Gershwin once said that he had a million tunes running around in his head. I could certainly not make that claim. The only tune I ever have running around in my head is some damned thing I've heard and can't seem to shake. But I have always had lots and lots of thoughts.

So begins Rafe Mair's latest book that tackles everything from flying fishing and growing old to racism and politics in Canada. And he isn't afraid to write about abortion, mental illness, hockey, the Supreme Court and even his guilty pleasures as a bookaholic.

Divided into three sections—Personal, Passions and Political —Rafe examines his own colourful past, including defending a bottomless dancer in a court case, as well his great fondness for London and his call to Canadians to wake up and challenge the elected leaders.

The Rafe Mair Show on CKNW radio was voted the most listened to program in western Canada. When you read this book, you will find out why. Whether you agree with Rafe's opinions or not, he is guaranteed to make you think. And you can always follow his suggestion in the introduction to Rants, Raves & Recollections: "the best place to keep it I'm sure is in the loo where, especially as the years go by, it takes a bit longer.”

Nicknamed “Dr. No” for his tough stand against the Charlottetown Accord, Rafe Mair’s opinions have been quoted in the New York Times, The London Times, and in papers as far away as Vietnam and Colombia.

Vancouver-born and UBC educated, Rafe practised law in both Vancouver and Kamloops. He became Minister of Consumer Services when he was elected to the B.C. legislature in 1975. Later, he became Minister of Consumer and Corporate Affairs, Environment, Minister responsible for Constitutional Affairs, and lastly, Health. Rafe joined CKNW in 1984, hosting programs at various times of the day. He has hosted the CKNW morning program since 1988.

In 1993 Rafe was named BC Broadcaster of the Year and recieved the coveted Michener Award for Meritorious Broadcasting in 1994 for his fight against the Kemano II Hydro Project.

Rafe has published his best-selling biography, Canada: Is Anyone Listening?, a candid memoir of his life and career. He is also the author of The Last Cast, a book of fly-fishing reminiscences. Rants, Raves, and Recollections is his most recent book. He lives in Lions Bay.