Five Rivers Publishing breathes new life into series on Canada's PMs

 
TORONTO - Feb. 18, 2015 - PRLog -- In 2012 when crime-writer Nate Hendley came to Five Rivers with the view to finding a home for the orphaned Prime Minister books from now defunct JackFruit Press, they were pleased to undertake breathing new life into the incomplete series.

The original series had been targeted to early primary school students, more of a graphic novel approach. Lorina Stephens, publisher at Five Rivers, decided to expand the demographic for the series so the books would be readable by, and appeal to, senior primary through young adults, with more of a journalistic, biographical tone than a graphic novel, thereby giving the Prime Minister’s office the dignity and respect it should command, while still retaining engaging readability.

Anyone who thinks Canadian history is boring should read this series. There’s enough triumph and tyranny, subterfuge and noble (or Nobel) enterprise to interest even the most jaded reader.

So it is with great pride Five Rivers releases on March 1, 2015, the first book in the series, which is, in fact, Volume 14: Lester B. Pearson.

Canada’s 14th Prime Minister was a statement in contrasts. He was an academic, and an athlete. He was a politician who hated politics. He had powerful friends throughout the world – and he was an everyman who preferred the quiet solitude of home and hearth, and intimate gatherings with friends. He spoke with a lisp and favoured bow ties. And yet when he spoke, the entire world listened.

Lester Bowles ‘Mike’ Pearson never aspired to the mantle of Canadian government. And yet, when fate intervened and he found himself first as Leader of The Opposition and then later as Prime Minister, Pearson and his government achieved a remarkable number of significant reforms that went a long way towards shaping the country we know today. These include universal health care, the Canada Pension Plan, official bilingualism, and the adoption of the distinctive Maple Leaf flag. Remarkably, the Pearson government achieved all this and much more with two, successive minority governments.

Prior to becoming Prime Minister, Lester Pearson’s background was in the Canadian Civil Service. He was present at the founding of the United Nations, and his vision for a UN Peacekeeping Force played a major role in averting the Suez Canal Crisis in 1956. Subsequently, Pearson was the first Canadian to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in concert with his international diplomacy.

Throughout his academic and political life he remained on a first-name basis with world leaders, and was easily the best-known Canadian on the world stage. And yet he was not given to the trappings of fame or status, and in tandem with his professional accomplishments he maintained his love for sports, and especially baseball.

A man of simple tastes, Pearson was selfless and unquestionably dedicated. His career required constant air travel, and yet he didn’t fly well. He preferred understated homes over opulent addresses. And while he would view the implementation of the Canadian flag as his proudest achievement, in most respects he viewed himself as little more than a regular guy, just doing his job.

He was also one of the best Prime Ministers of our time….

The author of Pearson's biography is Gordon Gibb, (http://gordongibb.com/) a broadcaster and author based in Peterborough Ontario, a city where a young Lester Pearson and his family once called home.

A seasoned radio host, Gordon is in his 39th year at Corus Entertainment’s HITS 100.5 FM. Over the course of his writing career, Gordon’s byline has appeared in MacLean’s, Canadian Living, Chatelaine, Reader’s Digest, Cottage Life, The Globe and Mail, The Toronto Star, the Peterborough Examiner and Peterborough This Week. ‘Gibberish: Tall Tales and Domestic Disasters from Beyond the Microphone,’ released in 2014, is a humorous collection of slice-of-life essays.

Along with this book, Gordon plans to release his first novel later this year. Gordon also serves as the in-arena announcer for the storied Peterborough Petes Canadian Junior hockey franchise in the winter months, and the Peterborough Sr. Lakers lacrosse franchise in the summer

In his spare time, Gordon is an active volunteer and tinkers with online netcasting. Married with four grown children, Gordon divides his time between Peterborough, Ontario and a summer cabin in Haliburton. This is his third book

The cover is by Five Rivers' Art Director, Jeff Minkevics. Jeff undertook to create a look for the series which would lend a sense of gravitas to the biographies of Canada's Prime Ministers. He chose a simple red and white motif to reflect our flag, along with a simple framing for black and white, almost Karsh-like, portraits.

There are a total of 21 books in the series, which will expand as Prime Ministers retire from office

2015 will see the release of:

Pierre Elliot Trudeau, by Paula Johanson

Robert Borden, by Dorothy Pedersen

John S.D. Thompson, by Elle-Andra Warner

Charles Tupper, by Paula Johanson

Alexander Mackenzie, by Elle-Andra Warner

Arthur Meighen, by Dorothy Pedersen

William Lyon Mackenzie King, by Nate Hendley

Joe Clark, by Paula Johanson

John Diefenbaker, by Paula Johanson

Jean Chretien, by Nate Hendley

Paul Martin, by Elle-Andra Warner

John A Macdonald, by Mark Shainblum

Wilfred Laurier, by Mark Shainblum

2016 Five Rivers will release the remainder of the series:

R.B. Bennett, by Paula Johanson

John Abbott, by Dorothy Pedersen

Mackenzie Bowell, by Dorothy Pedersen

John Turner, by Dorothy Pedersen

Brian Mulroney, by Dorothy Pedersen

Kim Campbell, by Paula Johanson

Louis St. Laurent, by Dorothy Pedersen

-30-

Contact
Five Rivers Publishing
***@5rivers.org
End
Source: » Follow
Email:***@5rivers.org Email Verified
Tags:Non-fiction, Politics, New Book Releases, Lester B Pearson, Canadian History
Industry:Books
Location:Toronto - Ontario - Canada
Subject:Products
Account Email Address Verified     Account Phone Number Verified     Disclaimer     Report Abuse
Five Rivers Publishing PRs
Trending News
Most Viewed
Top Daily News



Like PRLog?
9K2K1K
Click to Share