This is a short, pithy narrative that follows very closely the negotiations behind the late 2008 agreement between the federal Liberals and New Democrats to form a coalition government, and between these two parties and the Bloc Quebecois that would allow the coalition to govern to at least the middle of 2010.
Of course, the plans fell apart at every step - countered as they were by Conservative fear-mongering regarding involvement of separatists, a floundering and confused Liberal party that was mid-step in replacing their leader, and an NDP that was too willing to let the Liberals take the "driver's seat" in directing the media campaign to influence public opinion about the coalition's legitimacy and worth.
One of the moments I found most intriguing from these events, and that I remember very clearly, is the televised message provided from Stephane Dion, on behalf of the Liberal Party. It was a debacle. Technological issues (apparently), and a difficult communicating smoothly and compellingly in English came together to rob the coalition of momentum, to further chill public opinion, and to give power to the Ignatieff camp that was cool on the coalition idea.
If the entire episode holds any consolation, one must be the fate of the Liberals after these events. Ignatieff's camp intended to ride the Liberal steed back into the electorate's good graces by backing away from a "separatist-tainted" coalition, and "an undemocratic attempt to steal power", but to slowly rebuild the Liberal Party's coffers, develop a new policy platform, and allow their leader to get some experience at campaigning (!!). They failed miserably. The NDP, on the other hand, which at the time some felt had sold out by cooperating with the centrists, rode an unprecedented wave of electoral support in 2012, and now sit in the House of Commons as the Official Opposition.
There is a very good review of the book provided at "Postcards of the Hanging."
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