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Product Description
Book Description
As chief parliamentary correspondent for CTV News, Craig Oliver is one of Canada’s most recognized and respected journalists, a newsman who has reported on the major political figures and news stories of our times with passion, insight, and bracing candour.
He brings those same qualities to this many-layered memoir of an extraordinary professional and personal life. The only child of two alcoholics, he spent his childhood and adolescence in the homes of strangers. A chance summer job with the local CBC station launched his broadcasting career, taking Oliver from Prince Rupert, B.C. to Ottawa, Washington, and Central America. He witnessed up close the follies, foibles and occasional brilliance of the men and women who shaped our history over four decades.
At the same time, Oliver pursued a personal passion for Canada’s wilderness rivers. For 30 years, he and a close company of companions—all political and media figures, from Tim Kotcheff and John Macfarlane to Eddie Goldenberg and Pierre Trudeau—paddled some of the remotest waters in western and northern Canada.
Most surprising is the revelation that this comfortable television presenter has been legally blind for a decade.
About the Author
CRAIG OLIVER is currently Chief Parliamentary Correspondent for CTV and co-host of its weekly political affairs program Question Period. He has received the highest awards granted by his profession: the prestigious Charles Lynch Award; the Canadian Association of Broadcasters 2001 Gold Ribbon for Broadcast Excellence; the President’s Award for excellence in Canadian broadcast journalism from the Radio and Television News Directors Association; the Broadcast Hall of Fame award from the Canadian Association of Broadcasters; and two Gemini Awards. Since 1999, Oliver has been legally blind.
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Most helpful customer reviews
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Well Worth Your Time,
By
This review is from: Oliver's Twist: The Life and Times of an Unapologetic Newshound (Hardcover)
It is a quite personal memoir, listing at least some of his major family difficulties and a few moments of inner turmoil. His failing eyesight is also detailed and the efforts he has made to deal with it. It is a interesting book and well-worth reading if you have any interest in politics or journalism.Much of the book concerns the news stories and the newsmakers he covered and/or came to know personally. What I found most surprising was how many politicians and those involved in politics that he befriended and spent much time with. Although Mr. Oliver says it to be inevitable and common, it seems unnatural and improper, and he admits that he had difficulties at times with such arrangements. Another oddity, on page 262, is when he writes of how many lobbyists were in the Paul Martin government and how calling the PMO to ask for certain person in the employ of the government he was transferred directly to the reception desk at a prominent lobbying firm. My favourite quote from the book is likely the following; "Unmediated news coverage today is ubiquitous and caveat emptor the consumer's only protection. Those of us in the serious-news business can only hope that the public will learn to distinguish between the real thing and the offerings of talk-show barkers, internet snake-oil salesmen, and political hacks." Mr. Oliver has praise for most of the politicians he has worked with over the decades, although he also has makes some pointed remarks. He labelled some of the Conservative party advertisements of past elections "outright falsehoods." Oliver's Twist is not a literary masterpiece and there are no great revelations included about public figures. However, I was impressed with Mr. Oliver's simple philosophies and his ability to tell the tale of his life in an engaging manner. I could relate, at least somewhat, to his love of canoeing in remote areas, although my own journeys have been of a far less exotic nature. The story of the near-drowning of Pierre Trudeau on a canoe trip in his later years was especially poignant. If you find the title at all intriguing, Oliver's Twist will not disappoint you. I wouldn't label it a must-read, but it is certainly well worth your time.
3.0 out of 5 stars
OK, but somewhat disappointing,
By
This review is from: Oliver's Twist: The Life and Times of an Unapologetic Newshound (Hardcover)
I like Craig Oliver as a newsman. Given the number of years he's been reporting news, I expected some interesting insights into the stories and people he's covered. I guess there was a bit of this but overall, I found the book somewhat disappointing in its dryness. I hate to say it, but for me, it was a bit boring.But I still like Question Period! I guess I'll suggest he stick to what he's good at!
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta) Amazon.com:
4.0 out of 5 stars (1 customer review)
4.0 out of 5 stars
Inside Ottawa,
By dnina - Published on Amazon.com
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A fascinating look at the power brokers in Ottawa. Craig Oliver gives you a different perspective of the movers and shakers of the last 40 years. Perhaps the book needed a little more editing but I loved it.
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