True to his style, John Bassett doesn't approve of an independent journalist who's neither a bosom friend nor an implacable foe writing his story. But his public career belongs not only to him but also to the many Torontonians and Canadians whose lives have been touched by his astonishingly diverse activities as a politician, publisher, businessman and sportsman.

Based on more than 200 interviews with friends, family, business asociates, critics and enemies, Bassett is a remarkably thorough portrait of a distinguished Canadian publisher, broadcaster and businessman.