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It explores his legendary temper and mood swings while also chronicling how Harper turned the once-divided conservative movement into a political success story that allowed him to win three elections, govern for a decade and change the country.

The book, written by Globe and Mail journalist John Ibbitson, was originally set for publication in September. But with the early call of the Oct. 19 election, it is now available Tuesday as an e-book and hard copies will be in stores Aug. 18.

Among the issues covered in the book is Harper’s distrust of the courts and legal community — and his unprecedented public criticism last year of McLachlin, which critics said was an effort to intimidate the court.

“The nadir of Stephen Harper’s prime ministership came not during the Senate expenses scandal, but in the spring of 2014, when he got himself into a very public dust-up with Beverley McLachlin,” writes Ibbitson.

Harper alleged that McLachlin tried to interfere in the appointment of Federal Court Judge Marc Nadon to the top court — an allegation she denied and which drew broad support from the legal community.

Ibbitson writes that Harper’s criticism of the chief justice set a “dangerous precedent” and now ranks as one of his “most discreditable acts” as prime minister.

“Not only did he lose the fight; he tarnished his reputation and damaged what should be the sacrosanct separation of powers between executive and judiciary.”