The Baldwins of this book are those of the first three Canadian generations of a family that sailed from Ireland to Upper Canada in 1799 and which, before the end of the following half century, had left an indelible mark on our political life. The Great Experiment was the introduction of responsible government which gave the British Empire another century of life. This system of party government (by which Canada obtained self government) is now so familiar that it is fascinating to watch here the vicissitudes of this "greatest of peaceful revolutions" which lasted for twenty years of uncompromising struggle. The family story blends with the historical record to bring to life one of Canada's outstanding political figures -- the Honourable Robert Baldwin.