The historian Allan Levine discusses his new book, Toronto: Biography of a City (Douglas & McIntyre, 2014), with Joseph Planta.

Toronto: Biography of a City by Allan Levine (Douglas & McIntyre, 2014). Click to buy this book from Amazon.ca: Toronto

Text of introduction by Joseph Planta:

I am Planta: On the Line, in Vancouver, at TheCommentary.ca.

Allan Levine joins me again. The author and historian has a new book out, Toronto: Biography of a City. The city’s life and notable people come alive in this engaging, fun, thoughtful, and reflective book. One gets a sense of what Toronto is all about, especially someone like me who’s never been there, but because I happen to be from British Columbia, have always regarded Toronto with some contempt. I’ll get Mr. Levine to tell us about the Toronto he knows, the Toronto that emerges from having written a book like this, as well as the antipathy that Canadians outside central Canada might have for the nation’s largest city. That Rob Ford put Toronto on the map for a lot of people is something worth discussing too. But what’s also interesting is that Toronto before Ford has had a series of colourful mayors. There’s a lot in this book from the political to the social, cultural to the economic. Allan Levine was last on for his award-winning biography on William Lyon Mackenzie King, aptly titled: King. He’s written other books, including four historical fiction books, and one of my favourites, Scrum Wars. The website for more is at www.allanlevinebooks.com. He joins me from his home in Winnipeg today. This new book is published by Douglas & McIntyre. Please welcome back to the Planta: On the Line program, Allan Levine; Mr. Levine, good morning.

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