Bill Davis - by Steve Paikin (Hardcover)

About the Book

A biography of perhaps Ontario's most important premier, who, despite having been out of public life for thirty years, is remembered fondly by many as the head of one of Ontario's most progressive, yet conservative, governments.

Book Synopsis

2016 Ontario Historical Society Donald Grant Creighton Award -- Winner
A National Post Bestseller, The Hill Times: Best Books of 2016, 2016 Speaker's Book Award -- Shortlisted

The first authorized biography of Bill Davis, the enigmatic Ontario premier who carried on a Tory dynasty, but was also a crucial Trudeau supporter.

A biography of one of Ontario's most important premiers, who, despite having been out of public life for more than thirty years, is remembered fondly by many as the father of the community college system, TVO, OISE, and was indispensable in repatriating the Canadian Constitution with an accompanying Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Before he became premier, Davis was perhaps the most important education minister in Ontario history, responsible for the creation of the community college system and TVOntario. As premier, he went on to lead Ontario through buoyant and recessionary economic times, leaving a legacy Ontarians continue to enjoy. Now 87, Davis still lives on Main Street in his beloved Brampton.

Review Quotes

A must read not just for political junkies but for anyone who cares about the people and politics that built this province -- written in a readable, totally absorbing way.-- "Toronto Sun"

An affectionate recounting of the era.-- "Toronto Star"

Steve Paikin is an exception, just as his book on former Ontario premier Bill Davis is exceptional.-- "Troy Media"

The book's examination of Davis's lengthy political run is, in many ways, a thing of beauty.-- "Literary Review of Canada"

About the Author

Steve Paikin is anchor of The Agenda with Steve Paikin, TVO's flagship current affairs program since 2006. He has written four previous books on politics, including Paikin and the Premiers. Paikin has spent 30 years in journalism, almost 25 of them at Ontario's provincial broadcaster. He lives in Toronto.