A Canadian millionaire: The life and business times of Sir Joseph Flavelle, Bart., 1858-1939

In A Canadian Millionaire, Michael Bliss not only tells the story of an important businessman in Canadian History, he also delivers a sort of mini-history on Toronto, Ontario and Canada from 1858-1939. Bliss accomplishes this through his numerous cross references to how Flavelle was associated with many other prominent businessmen, politicians, decision makers of the time in general, as well as capturing how Flavelle truly was involved in a great weave of committees, corporations, communities that affected not only many different regions of Ontario but also Canada, Britain, the United States of America, and even China (through Methodist Missions).Joseph Flavelle was born and raised in Peterborough, Ontario. A strong Methodist mother, Dorothea, played a significant role in shaping the man whose life could eventually be categorized as a `rags to riches' tale. His humble beginnings in little Peterborough, included a father who was an alcoholic and unable to sufficiently provide for his family. Flavelle acquired a phenomenal work ethic, largely instilled in him by his mother and their Methodist teachings, and worked his way up from his first job in 1869 working for George Cox's business in Peterborough, to his fame and fortune as the packing house manager of the William Davies Company, as early as 1890. Though his fame was tainted with allegations of profiteering during the Great War and he was attacked on several accounts throughout his life afterwards, for having perhaps profited at the cost of others - he never stopped giving of his time and his fortune to endless causes. "In the early years of the new century few Canadians offered more public service, were more `progressive' in this sense than Joe Flavelle, as he spent time and money hoping to create public institutions and politics worthy of a twentieth-century nation." (Pg 138) Flavelle's dedication to the rebuilding of the Toronto General Hospital, his involvement in the University of Toronto, his lifelong contributions to his Methodist religion and to his political party - the Conservatives, his generous open wallet for any cause or any person who asked, all tied to his personal motto in life. Taken from an Adam Lindsay Gordon poem, Flavelle not only engraved this motto into his mantel at his home - he lived it! "Two things stand like stone: Kindness in another's trouble, courage in your own." (Pg 95) It is quite understandable that Bliss was accredited with numerous awards for this project and even more understandable is how A Canadian Millionaire has become a classic. This was achieved by Bliss's thorough and painstaking attention to detail, his contagious enthusiasm on the subject, and his desire to share his vast knowledge of this "fascinating" man, Sir Joseph Flavelle. Perhaps this is why not one person has offered any type of comparison piece to challenge Bliss's findings or portrayal of Flavelle. I would highly recommend A Canadian Millionaire to anyone studying busines