Michael B Davie

"News & Features" offers an insightful look into the art of news and feature writing. The crafting of great news stories and feature articles is truly an under-appreciated art. Veteran award-winning journalist Michael B. Davie is a master of this artform, seemingly effortlessly creating stories that are at once compelling, engaging, thought-provoking, well-written and well-researched. The News & Features series of books presents a small but interesting selection of the author's work that in total, encompasses more than 10,000 articles published in The Toronto Star, Hamilton Spectator, Glove & Mail, Montreal Gazette, Vancouver Sun and many other major newspapers coast to coast. Commentary by the author is included throughout. This is an insightful look at the work of one of Canada's leading journalists.

Ever wonder why some people achieve impressive success while others reach for the brass ring only to see it slip from their grasp? Join Michael B Davie as he examines success strategies employed by some truly innovative leaders in their fields. Read the life stories and success tips of today's successful people. It is all here in this book.

The government of the day enjoys enormous freedom to enact legislation and exert its will on the population. On the sidelines of political power are other players who struggle to make their voices heard. This book looks at three groups on the outside looking in: the media, the opposition Canadian Alliance Party and its forerunners; and women. The author examines the contribution made by each of these outsiders, the challenges they face and the limitations they encounter. He also explores the circumstances and conditions needed to increase their influence and ensure their distant voices are heard.

Formerly able to over-rule provincial laws, Canada is now helpless to stop Quebec and other provinces from acting against national interests. The author examines the high cost of decentralisation and its dire implications for Canada's future.

Quebec's provincial government alarmed many when it enacted its odious sign law restricting the use of English. Although this blatant human rights violation was struck down by the Supreme courts of Quebec and Canada, the provincial government enacted its sign law anyway. How? Quebec invoked the infamous Notwithstanding Clause to over-rule the highest courts in the land! Join the author as he explores Quebecs controversial use of Section 33 -- and the danger the Notwithstanding clause poses to all Canadians.

History is invariably written from the perspective of the winners. But losers also have stories to tell. And there are valuable lessons to be learned from the defeated. Join author Michael B. Davie as he examines the meaning and significance of such diverse events as the l700s Acadian expulsion in Canada; Vietnam War and the defeat of Walter Mondale to Ronald Reagan in the United States; and the forced famines of the Ukrainian Holocaust. It's a fascinating look at those who faced life's trials -- and came in second.

After years in a mental hospital, Jay Emerson escapes and 'awakens' in a world he no longer understands. Like a modern-day Rip van Winkle, he finds everything and everyone around him has changed. Old friends have become strangers -- and they refuse to reveal the fate of his former girlfriend...