The finalists for the National Business Book Award, one of Canada’s most prestigious nonfiction literary awards, were announced today by co-sponsors PwC Canada and BMO Financial Group. The finalist authors will vie for a CAD $30,000 prize that will be awarded on April 24, 2017 to the author of the most outstanding Canadian business-related book published in 2016.

Finalists for the National Business Book Award

Charles Bronfman with Howard Green , Distilled: A Memoir of Family, Seagram, Baseball, and Philanthropy, published by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. As part of one of Canada’s richest families, and the Seagram empire, Distilled takes an honest and introspective look into the life of Charles Bronfman . Bronfman reflects on his relationship with his parents and brother, owning Canada’s first baseball franchise, the Montreal Expos, philanthropy, his family’s business and the subsequent corporate calamity that made headlines for several years.

with , Distilled: published by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. As part of one of Canada’s richest families, and the Seagram empire, takes an honest and introspective look into the life of . Bronfman reflects on his relationship with his parents and brother, owning Canada’s first baseball franchise, the Montreal Expos, philanthropy, his family’s business and the subsequent corporate calamity that made headlines for several years. Daniel J. Levitin , A Field Guide to Lies: Critical Thinking in the Information Age, published by Allen Lane Canada (Penguin Random House Canada). In a world of “fake news” and the strategic use of misinformation, A Field Guide to Lies looks at how we can distinguish misinformation and outright lies from reliable information . Facts and figures are at our fingertips, but are too often biased, distorted, or outright lies. In this book filled with examples and practical takeaways, acclaimed neuroscientist Daniel Levitin shows us how learning to understand statistics will enable us to make better, smarter decisions.

, A Field Guide to Lies: Critical Thinking in the Information Age, published by (Penguin Random House Canada). In a world of “fake news” and the strategic use of misinformation, looks at how we can distinguish misinformation and outright lies from reliable information Facts and figures are at our fingertips, but are too often biased, distorted, or outright lies. In this book filled with examples and practical takeaways, acclaimed neuroscientist shows us how learning to understand statistics will enable us to make better, smarter decisions. Don Tapscott & Alex Tapscott , Blockchain Revolution: How the Technology Behind Bitcoin is Changing Money, Business and the World, published by Portfolio Canada. Blockchain experts Don Tapscott and Alex Tapscott explain the promise behind this emerging technology. From its potential to cause a profound technological shift in the world in terms of the economy, business, regulation, society and politics to its possible pitfalls. Blockchain Revolution articulately explains how this technology can be great for collaboration and communication, but is deeply flawed when it comes to commerce and privacy.

& , published by Portfolio Canada. Blockchain experts and explain the promise behind this emerging technology. From its potential to cause a profound technological shift in the world in terms of the economy, business, regulation, society and politics to its possible pitfalls. articulately explains how this technology can be great for collaboration and communication, but is deeply flawed when it comes to commerce and privacy. Annette Verschuren with Eleanor Beaton , Bet On Me: Leading and Succeeding in Business and in Life, published by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd. Annette Verschuren lays out her philosophy for what it takes to lead and succeed in today’s economy from having tenacity, to embracing risk and having an unwavering commitment to remain true to yourself. Drawing on her experiences growing up on a Cape Breton dairy farm she went on to become the co-founder of Michaels in Canada and past president of Home Depot in Canada and Asia .

The prestigious and independent jury evaluates eligible nominations based on five key criteria including originality, relevance, excellence of writing, thoroughness of research and depth of analysis.

The National Business Book Award jury is chaired by Peter Mansbridge, Chief Correspondent, CBC Television News. Other jurors include: Deirdre McMurdy, Adjudicator; David Denison, Chair of Hydro One; author and publisher Anna Porter and The Honourable Pamela Wallin.

The National Business Book Award is an annual celebration of Canadian authors of outstanding non-fiction business-related books. It continues to gain attention from not only the Canadian business world, but also publishers, authors, journalists, academics, economists and business leaders internationally.

The winner of the National Business Book Award will be announced on April 24, 2017 at an event in Toronto hosted by PwC Canada and BMO Financial Group.

Last year’s National Business Book Award winners were Jacquie McNish and Sean Silcoff for their book Losing the Signal: The Spectacular Rise and Fall of Blackberry.

About PwC Canada

The purpose of PwC is to build trust in society and solve important problems. More than 6,500 partners and staff in offices across the country are committed to delivering quality in assurance, tax, consulting and deals services. PwC Canada is a member of the PwC network of firms with more than 208,000 people in 157 countries. Find out more and tell PwC what matters to you by visiting PwC’s official website.



About BMO Financial Group

Established in 1817, and currently marking its 200th year of operations, BMO Financial Group is a highly diversified financial services provider based in North America. With total assets of $688 billion as of October 31, 2016, and more than 45,000 employees, BMO provides a broad range of personal and commercial banking, wealth management and investment banking products and services to more than 12 million customers and conducts business through three operating groups: Personal and Commercial Banking, Wealth Management and BMO Capital Markets.

The Nominees