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Irving vs Irving
They are Canada’s third wealthiest family, the fifth-largest private landowner in the U.S.A. They have a monopoly on New Brunswick’s English-language print media and billions of dollars in offshore accounts.
They are the Irvings. And they have always placed a premium on discretion and family unity. They built their empire—which includes Canada’s largest refinery, soon to be linked by pipeline to Alberta’s oil fields—by remaining private. Irving vs Irving tells the story of how these ambitious, often ruthless entrepreneurs came to dominate the economic and political affairs of Atlantic Canada, and how they learned to love the property that perplexed them most: their media monopoly.
The Irvings’ control of all of New Brunswick’s daily newspapers often allowed the family’s business pursuits to escape journalistic scrutiny. Readers frequently wondered what wasn’t in the newspaper, such as the Irving’s lobbying for their logging interests and the sinking of their tanker loaded with PCBs.
In Irving vs Irving, veteran reporter Jacques Poitras uses the empire’s media holdings to examine previously untold episodes of this family epic from patriarch K.C. Irving’s manipulation of his mother’s affections to a Shakespearean confrontation between generations.
They are the Irvings. And they have always placed a premium on discretion and family unity. They built their empire—which includes Canada’s largest refinery, soon to be linked by pipeline to Alberta’s oil fields—by remaining private. Irving vs Irving tells the story of how these ambitious, often ruthless entrepreneurs came to dominate the economic and political affairs of Atlantic Canada, and how they learned to love the property that perplexed them most: their media monopoly.
The Irvings’ control of all of New Brunswick’s daily newspapers often allowed the family’s business pursuits to escape journalistic scrutiny. Readers frequently wondered what wasn’t in the newspaper, such as the Irving’s lobbying for their logging interests and the sinking of their tanker loaded with PCBs.
In Irving vs Irving, veteran reporter Jacques Poitras uses the empire’s media holdings to examine previously untold episodes of this family epic from patriarch K.C. Irving’s manipulation of his mother’s affections to a Shakespearean confrontation between generations.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published September 30, 2014
23 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
Jacques Poitras
7 books29 followersJACQUES POITRAS is a journalist and author of five books of non-fiction, including Irving vs. Irving: Canada's Feuding Billionaires and the Stories They Won't Tell, a national best-seller shortlisted for the National Business Book Award; and Pipe Dreams: The Fight for Canada's Energy Future, shortlisted for the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing and the John W. Dafoe Book Prize. He is also the author of The Right Fight: Bernard Lord and the Conservative Dilemma, Beaverbrook: A Shattered Legacy, and Imaginary Line: Life on an Unfinished Border. Poitras lives in Fredericton and has been the provincial affairs reporter for CBC News in New Brunswick since 2000.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
November 11, 2014
I received this book as a Goodreads Giveaway.
I am from St. John's, Newfoundland, and when visitors see our harbour they see a large Irving Oil tank prominent in the hills. So many visitors mistake St. John's for Saint John and assume we are the ones essentially owned by Irving. While Irving is present here, as far as I understand, they do not control industry as they do in New Brunswick.
As a Canadian, I have heard of the Irving monopoly and have always wanted to know more. This book offers a detailed background into the Irvings from the perspective of the newspaper industry. I felt that it did not quite deliver the tantalizing stories it seemed to promise from the front cover (the stories they won't tell) nor did it really reflect the idea of Irving vs. Irving. For the most part, the stories of the Irvings show a united front often spouting the same reasons for their actions that have been said since K.C. Irving started expanding. The cracks in this united front have just started to form in recent years, and perhaps a second edition of this book in a decade or so will give everyone a better idea of Irving vs. Irving.
That said, it is a very interesting read from the perspective of journalistic integrity (how many newspaper managers in the Irving owned newspapers would self-police against covering Irving stories), political influence, and industry expansion (I did not know Cavendish Fries belonged to Irving). I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Canadian cultural and historical landscape as the Irvings have shaped a significant portion of Canada. Now that I am better informed as to who the Irvings are and just how much they control, I plan to better follow news about them.
I am from St. John's, Newfoundland, and when visitors see our harbour they see a large Irving Oil tank prominent in the hills. So many visitors mistake St. John's for Saint John and assume we are the ones essentially owned by Irving. While Irving is present here, as far as I understand, they do not control industry as they do in New Brunswick.
As a Canadian, I have heard of the Irving monopoly and have always wanted to know more. This book offers a detailed background into the Irvings from the perspective of the newspaper industry. I felt that it did not quite deliver the tantalizing stories it seemed to promise from the front cover (the stories they won't tell) nor did it really reflect the idea of Irving vs. Irving. For the most part, the stories of the Irvings show a united front often spouting the same reasons for their actions that have been said since K.C. Irving started expanding. The cracks in this united front have just started to form in recent years, and perhaps a second edition of this book in a decade or so will give everyone a better idea of Irving vs. Irving.
That said, it is a very interesting read from the perspective of journalistic integrity (how many newspaper managers in the Irving owned newspapers would self-police against covering Irving stories), political influence, and industry expansion (I did not know Cavendish Fries belonged to Irving). I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in the Canadian cultural and historical landscape as the Irvings have shaped a significant portion of Canada. Now that I am better informed as to who the Irvings are and just how much they control, I plan to better follow news about them.
May 28, 2025
I enjoyed reading this so much that I have a longer review and more thoughts to come, but I finished it on the way to work this morning and omg
December 17, 2023
TLDR: Irving vs Irving offers a nuanced view of the family's legacy and New Brunswick News, with a well-written narrative and depth but leaves the reader wanting more.
Irving vs Irving by Jacques Poitras takes readers on a journey through the intricate history of New Brunswick News Inc and its intriguing relationship with the influential Irving family. Initially, I expected a narrative akin to Douglas How's biographies on KC Irving and Izaak Walton Killam. However, Poitras diverges from traditional family biographies, delving deeper into the complexities of media, family feuds, and the province of New Brunswick itself.
At the outset, the book captivates with the rise of KC Irving's empire. However, it then shifts its focus predominantly to newspaper publishing, reminiscent of John Zada's Veils of Distortion. The unexpected emphasis on New Brunswick News Inc and its relationship with the Irving family might catch readers off guard, but it sheds light on a crucial aspect of the family's legacy.
While I yearned for a more in-depth exploration of the various Irving companies, the book remains well-structured and accessible. The author's decision to stick with his expertise in newspaper publishing is evident, resulting in a narrative that is both coherent and informative. The occasional mentions of different Irving companies serve as milestones, marking notable events in their history.
The author's struggle to secure firsthand reports is evident, leading to a narrative that relies heavily on limited interviews. Despite this obstacle, Poitras manages to craft a compelling story by skillfully incorporating key interviews, such as those with Joan Irving or Jim and JK, which provide a nuanced perspective and add an extra layer to the narrative.
The book's highlight lies in its revelation of the Irving feud, which serves as a compelling undercurrent throughout the narrative. The author, however, reserves a deeper exploration for the later chapters, particularly in the afterword. This delay adds a layer of suspense and intrigue, making the familial discord a captivating subplot.
Poitras's writing is commendable, striking a balance between accessibility and depth. The book not only educates readers about New Brunswick, the Irving family, and the state of journalism but also offers a nuanced and unbiased perspective. The author's storytelling prowess is evident in the well-crafted narrative, which weaves together historical events, family dynamics, and the evolution of media in the region.
In conclusion, Irving vs Irving is a thought-provoking exploration of the Irving family's influence on New Brunswick News Inc. While the initial focus on KC Irving's empire-building might waver, the book ultimately provides a comprehensive understanding of the family's legacy, the complexities of journalism, and the simmering family feud. Poitras's unbiased approach and skillful storytelling make this book an essential read for those interested in the intersection of family, media, and the history of New Brunswick.
Irving vs Irving by Jacques Poitras takes readers on a journey through the intricate history of New Brunswick News Inc and its intriguing relationship with the influential Irving family. Initially, I expected a narrative akin to Douglas How's biographies on KC Irving and Izaak Walton Killam. However, Poitras diverges from traditional family biographies, delving deeper into the complexities of media, family feuds, and the province of New Brunswick itself.
At the outset, the book captivates with the rise of KC Irving's empire. However, it then shifts its focus predominantly to newspaper publishing, reminiscent of John Zada's Veils of Distortion. The unexpected emphasis on New Brunswick News Inc and its relationship with the Irving family might catch readers off guard, but it sheds light on a crucial aspect of the family's legacy.
While I yearned for a more in-depth exploration of the various Irving companies, the book remains well-structured and accessible. The author's decision to stick with his expertise in newspaper publishing is evident, resulting in a narrative that is both coherent and informative. The occasional mentions of different Irving companies serve as milestones, marking notable events in their history.
The author's struggle to secure firsthand reports is evident, leading to a narrative that relies heavily on limited interviews. Despite this obstacle, Poitras manages to craft a compelling story by skillfully incorporating key interviews, such as those with Joan Irving or Jim and JK, which provide a nuanced perspective and add an extra layer to the narrative.
The book's highlight lies in its revelation of the Irving feud, which serves as a compelling undercurrent throughout the narrative. The author, however, reserves a deeper exploration for the later chapters, particularly in the afterword. This delay adds a layer of suspense and intrigue, making the familial discord a captivating subplot.
Poitras's writing is commendable, striking a balance between accessibility and depth. The book not only educates readers about New Brunswick, the Irving family, and the state of journalism but also offers a nuanced and unbiased perspective. The author's storytelling prowess is evident in the well-crafted narrative, which weaves together historical events, family dynamics, and the evolution of media in the region.
In conclusion, Irving vs Irving is a thought-provoking exploration of the Irving family's influence on New Brunswick News Inc. While the initial focus on KC Irving's empire-building might waver, the book ultimately provides a comprehensive understanding of the family's legacy, the complexities of journalism, and the simmering family feud. Poitras's unbiased approach and skillful storytelling make this book an essential read for those interested in the intersection of family, media, and the history of New Brunswick.
December 24, 2015
Very misleading title and promises on the cover. This book is absolutely not about fighting between the family and doesn't expose any secrets. The first time it mentioned an Irving v Irving fight was on page 320.
It is a study of whether the ownership of the New Brunswick newspapers, along with so much other provincial industry, leads to poor news coverage. And, if so, whether that is due to family meddling. That case is never made and in fact the evidence seems to show that the newspaper was as good as the quality of its leaders at any given point in time, not by any other external pressure.
It is a study of whether the ownership of the New Brunswick newspapers, along with so much other provincial industry, leads to poor news coverage. And, if so, whether that is due to family meddling. That case is never made and in fact the evidence seems to show that the newspaper was as good as the quality of its leaders at any given point in time, not by any other external pressure.
July 1, 2018
I'm on a "books about Canadian business leaders" spree - and was v excited to pick up Irving vs Irving. Maybe if I were from New Brunswick the content would be more interesting - the nuances of the Telegraph's operational structure in the 1970s was A Lot. In fact, there was A Lot of discussion on the tension between reporting on the news while being owned by the newsmakers, but this well-researched book just kind of plods along with it.
This could have been a very interesting 10,000 word Atlantic essay. Alas, it's a book and I read it all.
This could have been a very interesting 10,000 word Atlantic essay. Alas, it's a book and I read it all.
August 16, 2019
Great insight into the Irving empire. It paints a fuller picture as to just how much they dominate the province’s economy although it still left me with questions.
October 22, 2025
Denser than last year's Christmas cake but the little surprise fruits and nuts make it worth pushing through.
March 20, 2015
It's old story: local boy makes good; subsequent generations squander the fortune.
Irving patriarch KC Irving was all too familiar with the tale and, in 1972, established a trust that would keep his empire intact for 35 years following his death. As recounted by author Jacques Poitras, KC was emphatic that "it has to stay together. It's the only way it will work. It was to stay together" (p. 269).
However, tensions between Irvings, sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons have cramped the horizontally and vertically integrated Irving businesses. Beginning in March 2014, Forbes Magazine began listing listing the forestry and petroleum divisions separately.
It's a huge story, one that, as Poitras points out, is not being well-covered by the Irving's vast media properties. The Globe and Mail, not an Irving paper, broke the story of the Irving reorganization.
The focus of this book is the relationship between the media holdings, particularly the daily newspapers to the other Irving businesses. Poitras does well to encourage Irving family members to speak to him on the record. Jim Irving, the oldest son of KC Irving's oldest son tells him re the newspapers: "We're not interested in fellas raising hell just for the sake of raising hell. ... We've got to have management that's smart enough to understand what's going on, and be for New Brunswick, and try to make the place better" (p. 286).
Poitras tells a good story and does well to get many key players including some Irving family members to speak on the record. This is far from an exhaustive study of the Irvings, but it does a fine job introducing the reader to family dynamics, and an excellent job exploring the challenges of investigative reporting when the bosses are often the biggest story of the day.
Irving patriarch KC Irving was all too familiar with the tale and, in 1972, established a trust that would keep his empire intact for 35 years following his death. As recounted by author Jacques Poitras, KC was emphatic that "it has to stay together. It's the only way it will work. It was to stay together" (p. 269).
However, tensions between Irvings, sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons have cramped the horizontally and vertically integrated Irving businesses. Beginning in March 2014, Forbes Magazine began listing listing the forestry and petroleum divisions separately.
It's a huge story, one that, as Poitras points out, is not being well-covered by the Irving's vast media properties. The Globe and Mail, not an Irving paper, broke the story of the Irving reorganization.
The focus of this book is the relationship between the media holdings, particularly the daily newspapers to the other Irving businesses. Poitras does well to encourage Irving family members to speak to him on the record. Jim Irving, the oldest son of KC Irving's oldest son tells him re the newspapers: "We're not interested in fellas raising hell just for the sake of raising hell. ... We've got to have management that's smart enough to understand what's going on, and be for New Brunswick, and try to make the place better" (p. 286).
Poitras tells a good story and does well to get many key players including some Irving family members to speak on the record. This is far from an exhaustive study of the Irvings, but it does a fine job introducing the reader to family dynamics, and an excellent job exploring the challenges of investigative reporting when the bosses are often the biggest story of the day.
December 30, 2018
When a book is written by a reporter there are generally two outcomes, either we get a narrative drive created through investigative journalism or we get newspaper surface-level drivel. I was hoping for the former and got the later in the form of Irving vs Irving.
This book has incredible potential: the personal character of one of Canada's wealthiest families, the corruption and monopolistic behaviors of the Irving's choke-hold on New Brunswick, the collaboration and rivalry with the other major family in the region the McCain's, the inner workings of this very private enterprise, and the story of how it was all built.
Instead, all of Jacques information is collected and presented at an arms length, with little narrative substance or investigation between the lines. There was also an undue focus on the Irvings press control that isn't nearly the most interesting part of this story (though I can see why Jacques as a reporter believed it was so important).
Overall, I think a book like this needs to be written, but a lot more work needs to be done to do it justice.
This book has incredible potential: the personal character of one of Canada's wealthiest families, the corruption and monopolistic behaviors of the Irving's choke-hold on New Brunswick, the collaboration and rivalry with the other major family in the region the McCain's, the inner workings of this very private enterprise, and the story of how it was all built.
Instead, all of Jacques information is collected and presented at an arms length, with little narrative substance or investigation between the lines. There was also an undue focus on the Irvings press control that isn't nearly the most interesting part of this story (though I can see why Jacques as a reporter believed it was so important).
Overall, I think a book like this needs to be written, but a lot more work needs to be done to do it justice.
March 4, 2015
Informative for someone like me, who knew nothing about the Irvings, but not nearly as critical as I'd hoped. It doesn't boast a lot of narrative energy to compensate, either. Nonetheless, I can now tell J.K. from Jim from Jack from Jamie, which is not nothing.
February 16, 2016
Great description of the rise of the Irving Empire, the inner workings of their monopoly of the press in New Brunswick, and other historical events relating to the empire.
January 21, 2019
Since I do research all the time in search of my ancestors, I really appreciate the research involved in putting together this book. As well, I go to NB a fair amount and do research there myself, since that's where my late father-in-law's family came from. Author Poitras really covered the territory, but I must confess, I kept getting the newspapers mixed up, not to mention the time line. Since the story, in this case, is being followed by a journalist, the focus was on that cadre's involvement with the Irvings, especially when an Irving got directly involved. Business structure and management and the difference between that and how a newspaper is (or maybe should be) run, makes for interesting reading.
June 14, 2021
A balanced account of the Irving family and their monopoly over New Brunswick’s print media. The book tells an important story of the family’s impact on their home province, both the good and the bad.
However, despite the title, the story is more heavily focused on the newspapers and local journalism throughout the decades, rather than Irving family drama. While some parts were quite fascinating, I found certain parts to be a bit dry. Nonetheless,
I think this is a very important read for all maritimers, and would encourage others to pick it up.
However, despite the title, the story is more heavily focused on the newspapers and local journalism throughout the decades, rather than Irving family drama. While some parts were quite fascinating, I found certain parts to be a bit dry. Nonetheless,
I think this is a very important read for all maritimers, and would encourage others to pick it up.
August 5, 2024
Thought this would be a more critical analysis of the Irving family or as the title suggests Irving vs. Irving. It doesn’t mention the latter until the last chapter and focuses a lot on nuanced details. It reminded me of Succession and their family dynamic but not as entertaining as they avoid the media despite owning the majority (if not all) newspapers in NB.
March 31, 2019
Read for a class, but still liked it. Has a good narrative while also revealing a lot about the Irving family and the province of New Brunswick.
June 27, 2024
Great book to learn about the Irving family.
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July 27, 2015http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2014/1...
Review by Geoff Martin
In this review of Irving vs. Irving: Canada's Feuding Billionaires and the Stories they won't tell, Canada's third wealthiest family -- who have a monopoly on New Brunswick’s English-language print media and billions of dollars in offshore accounts -- is examined against the backdrop of their history and relationships and their newspaper operations. Read on!
To think about the media landscape in New Brunswick, and the economy and politics more generally, one must come to terms with the power of the Irving family.
From roots in southeastern New Brunswick in the 1920s, by the 1970s family patriarch K.C. Irving built a NB-based conglomerate based on oil refining, export and domestic retail petroleum sales, forestry, manufacturing, transportation and media holdings.
That last one the list currently includes all the English-language daily newspapers -- Fredericton's The Daily Gleaner, Saint John's Telegraph-Journal and Moncton Times & Transcript -- most of the English weeklies and private radio stations.
At one time the Irvings also owned the province's de facto CBC television affiliate, CHSJ in Saint John.
After K.C.s death in 1993, the businesses were run by his three sons, J.K. Irving, Arthur and Jack, and now are run by their children and grandchildren.
Important to note: Despite the rhetoric of the self-made man, the rise of the Irving Group was based not only on the hard work of K.C. Irving, his sons and his thousands of employees, but also on New Brunswick taxpayers who have borne the costs of municipal tax concessions, subsidized water and access to Crown lands, government grants and low-interest loans.
Though New Brunswick is one of the country's smaller provinces it has often shown early signs of social, economic and political change for both good and ill.
New Brunswick's own quiet revolution under the leadership of Louis J. Robichaud predated that of Quebec in the 1960s, and NB has the ignominious distinction of being an early adopter of provincial Neoconservatism in the form of the Frank McKenna Liberal government starting in 1987.
Read more here: http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2014/1...
Review by Geoff Martin
In this review of Irving vs. Irving: Canada's Feuding Billionaires and the Stories they won't tell, Canada's third wealthiest family -- who have a monopoly on New Brunswick’s English-language print media and billions of dollars in offshore accounts -- is examined against the backdrop of their history and relationships and their newspaper operations. Read on!
To think about the media landscape in New Brunswick, and the economy and politics more generally, one must come to terms with the power of the Irving family.
From roots in southeastern New Brunswick in the 1920s, by the 1970s family patriarch K.C. Irving built a NB-based conglomerate based on oil refining, export and domestic retail petroleum sales, forestry, manufacturing, transportation and media holdings.
That last one the list currently includes all the English-language daily newspapers -- Fredericton's The Daily Gleaner, Saint John's Telegraph-Journal and Moncton Times & Transcript -- most of the English weeklies and private radio stations.
At one time the Irvings also owned the province's de facto CBC television affiliate, CHSJ in Saint John.
After K.C.s death in 1993, the businesses were run by his three sons, J.K. Irving, Arthur and Jack, and now are run by their children and grandchildren.
Important to note: Despite the rhetoric of the self-made man, the rise of the Irving Group was based not only on the hard work of K.C. Irving, his sons and his thousands of employees, but also on New Brunswick taxpayers who have borne the costs of municipal tax concessions, subsidized water and access to Crown lands, government grants and low-interest loans.
Though New Brunswick is one of the country's smaller provinces it has often shown early signs of social, economic and political change for both good and ill.
New Brunswick's own quiet revolution under the leadership of Louis J. Robichaud predated that of Quebec in the 1960s, and NB has the ignominious distinction of being an early adopter of provincial Neoconservatism in the form of the Frank McKenna Liberal government starting in 1987.
Read more here: http://rabble.ca/books/reviews/2014/1...
October 1, 2014
I received an Advanced Readers Copy from GoodReads for an honest review. I had high expectations for Jacques Poitras "Irving vs. Irving" as I thought it would be a real page turner highlighting the triumphs & lows of this remarkable family's billion dollar Empire. Their Monopoly controls almost every major industry in New Brunswick & surrounding areas that includes Canada's largest Oil refinery, Pulp & Paper Mills, Lumber, Construction, extensive land ownwership & finally the provinces' Newspapers & Media outlets. As you'll discover "the Irvings are the backbone of Industry & commerce in N.B." to quote J.P.
Poitras is extremely good when it comes to presenting the facts & figures starting w/ the family's figure head KC Irving's humble beginnings with service stations/car dealerships in Bouctouche N.B. Soon KC's need for vertical integration & ownership of industry lead to his vast empire owned & operated by himself plus sons. After his death in 1992, the family unit started to divide...then problems emerged about control & ownership. The book is well researched from reputable media sources/interviews but it's delivered in such a way that it leaves it up to the audience to piece it together & form their own theories at times.
I"d recommend it to anyone interested in Journalism & the delivery of the news particularly in the Maritime provinces. As much of the book focuses on the Irvings Industrialist's Approach to media ownership while leaving their management to outside individuals. It's important that the editor shares their world view of being Pro development & Pro business for New Brunswick.
All in all it's an informative read that will make me think twice while trekking the Irving boardwalk in beautiful Bouctouche, N.B.!
Poitras is extremely good when it comes to presenting the facts & figures starting w/ the family's figure head KC Irving's humble beginnings with service stations/car dealerships in Bouctouche N.B. Soon KC's need for vertical integration & ownership of industry lead to his vast empire owned & operated by himself plus sons. After his death in 1992, the family unit started to divide...then problems emerged about control & ownership. The book is well researched from reputable media sources/interviews but it's delivered in such a way that it leaves it up to the audience to piece it together & form their own theories at times.
I"d recommend it to anyone interested in Journalism & the delivery of the news particularly in the Maritime provinces. As much of the book focuses on the Irvings Industrialist's Approach to media ownership while leaving their management to outside individuals. It's important that the editor shares their world view of being Pro development & Pro business for New Brunswick.
All in all it's an informative read that will make me think twice while trekking the Irving boardwalk in beautiful Bouctouche, N.B.!
October 18, 2014
very much a repeat of Sawler’s book Twenty First Century Irvings with more emphasis and content on the newspaper business, which is understandable given that Poitras is himself a reporter. While there was some evidence of disharmony between JK, Arthur and Jack, the real legal battle and complete relationship severing occured between Arthur and his son Kenneth, who left Irving Oil and moved to the US. An in depth review of the Irvings lack of understanding of the newspaper business, but their wish to keep them as New Brunswick businesses rather than let an outsider take ownership and control. Great grandson Jamie, is the only exception and JK and Jim appear to have become more comfortable with the industry although they do not want their papers to rock the boat, simply report on positive events, “a service to the people of the community”. A good read on the history of the Irving family in the newspaper business, however, Sawler’s book is a more descriptive read of the family history.
January 18, 2015
If you want a complete account of the Irving family history, this is not it: Poitras is focused at looking at their empire and character from the perspective of their media operations.
While I must admit I found some of the Irving family character sketches more interesting than some of the newspaper biz wheeling and dealing, it's still an interesting chronicle, starting from semi-independent publications owned by some of the old school (but ruthless), hands-off businessmen in the family to become a more modern news media monopoly in the province. I'm not sure if Poitras cobbles together a single big revelation, but I felt perhaps the biggest question he posed throughout was the question of the papers' mandate under most of the years of Irving ownership - "spicy, not hot". If a paper is owned by the most newsworthy people and companies in the province and isn't encouraged to do investigative reporting, is that still 'journalism' and what a true newspaper should be?
While I must admit I found some of the Irving family character sketches more interesting than some of the newspaper biz wheeling and dealing, it's still an interesting chronicle, starting from semi-independent publications owned by some of the old school (but ruthless), hands-off businessmen in the family to become a more modern news media monopoly in the province. I'm not sure if Poitras cobbles together a single big revelation, but I felt perhaps the biggest question he posed throughout was the question of the papers' mandate under most of the years of Irving ownership - "spicy, not hot". If a paper is owned by the most newsworthy people and companies in the province and isn't encouraged to do investigative reporting, is that still 'journalism' and what a true newspaper should be?
May 2, 2016
I wasn't expecting this book to provide me with such a clear, nuanced and largely impartial look into the Irving empire. Poitras does a good job presenting the facts in a way that engages the reader. I found myself recognizing the dry, factual information peppered with intriguing stories about real people. I feel like I have a deeper understanding of New Brunswick's largest empire(s;) which, I suppose, is what I went into this book looking for. I'm also surprised by how many history lessons there are in the book. While these lessons are mostly political in nature, they're no less interesting and helped me understand why things are the way they are today. The book did take me longer to read than I wanted it to, but I think I can catch up in terms of my yearly target.
April 28, 2019
This book does not come quite as advertised. I was expecting the author to reveal much more about the fractures within the Irving family. Maybe this the Canadian version of family corporate drama. While there it is much tamer than in other nations.
While the Irving’s influence can be felt across Canada this story is very much about the newspaper business in New Brunswick. Unless you are interested in the evolution of newspapers and their role in a community you likely won’t find much to like in this book.
While the Irving’s influence can be felt across Canada this story is very much about the newspaper business in New Brunswick. Unless you are interested in the evolution of newspapers and their role in a community you likely won’t find much to like in this book.
April 14, 2015
Thoroughly researched and well-written. I knew nothing about the Irving family before I read this book. An interesting examination of family dynamics and some sketchy business practices and policies that help them maintain their stronghold over most of New Brunswick. Told from the perspective of their newspaper holdings (only one of many of the family's business interests). Recommended.
April 21, 2015
Although I found the background on the irvings decidedly interesting, I have to admit that I had a hard time getting through the middle section of the book. The focus was primarily on the newspaper empire, which became a bit too dry after a while. Aside from that part I found it to be quite informative, although there were many other things that could have been included.
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September 21, 2024Well written analysis of the role the Irving family plays in the media and business world in New Brunswick and Canada. Even-handed and entertaining a great behind the scenes of what was really happening in the Irving newsrooms. A must read!
December 11, 2014
Ostensibly an account of the break up of the Irving family, and therefore the separation of its companies. But it is more focused on the Irving newspaper businesses and, in an even handed way, assessing the extent to which the paper's editorial and content are shaped by the family.
February 9, 2016
A tad gossipy but hey, I'd be astonished if it wasn't considering the subject matter. The major focus is on the Irving newspapers - a much-needed overview of the history of their editorial independence. Worth reading.
October 6, 2015
I was expecting a book about the Irving business.. This was based much more from a journalistic perspective, but I ended up enjoying it just as much. The author doesn't really "take sides" either, giving a fair view to all sides of the story.
January 17, 2016
Thorough, contextual account of the relationship between the Irving family and the newspapers it owns. Poitras does an excellent job reporting on the political climate and the personalities behind key decisions in the papers' history.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews