Series consists of Howard Lentner's written notes, audio notes and prepared transcripts based on the interviews he conducted as part of his research. These notes provide a useful commentary on Canadian foreign policy and prime ministers, capturing opinions and non-official remarks not often heard in political, diplomatic or bureaucratic circles.
During each interview Lentner took written notes. Afterwards, he spoke into a tape recorder and elaborated on his notes. Interview transcripts were prepared from the written and audio notes. Lentner then submitted the transcript to each interviewee for approval and correction. Researchers should thus note that the audio cassettes are not recordings of actual interviews. Instead they are audio notes by Howard Lentner. Each segment begins with an analysis of the interview, summarizing Lentner's thoughts on the discussion, and offering an assessment of each inteviewee. There is no transcript for this portion of the recording. It is usually followed by a review and expansion of Lentner's written notes which he took during the interview (volume 1). This review forms the basis of the transcripts. There are some instances however, where Lentner states that his notes are clear enough, and he simply prepared a transcript from his notes. There are other instances where we have the sound recording, but no textual transcript record.
The following people were interviewed for the project: Arthur Andrew, A.E. Blanchette (transcript and notes only), Andrew Brewin (transcript and notes only), Robert Bryce (audio only), Marshall Crowe, Rt. Hon, John G. Diefenbaker, Nicholas D'Ombrain, Walter Gordon, A.E. Gotlieb (notes only), James F. Grandy, Howard Green, J.G.H. Halstead, Ivan Head (audio only), Paul Hellyer (transcript and notes only), John W. Holmes, George Ignatieff, Alex Inglis, D.H.W. Kirkwood, Marc Lalonde, Douglas V. Le Pan (notes only), David Lewis, Peyton Lyon (transcript and notes only), R.A. Mackay (transcript and notes only), Heath MacQuarrie, John Munro, Geoffrey Pearson (transcript and notes only), Jean-Luc Pepin, Pickersgill, J.W., Micheal Pitfield, Wynne Plumptre, Escott Reid, E.A. Ritchie (transcript and notes only), Gordon Robertson, Basil Robinson (audio only), Mitchell Sharp and Dale C. Thomson.
