What a superb collection of Canadian stories, actually 17 stories to be exact. Canadians who came from all over, with different backgrounds and upbringings. These are not the celebrities or sports heroes you would normally hear about; these are the people found on the front lines, who persevered, and came out on the other side. These are the people who found deficiencies in human rights and worked hard for change. These are the people who have inspired.

Each story is the first-person account of where they came from, what sparked their passion, how they overcame personal road blocks, and their path to helping so many.

For decades, Peter Mansbridge has brought the human aspect to his stories; reaching out to everyday Canadians and helping them tell their story. His voice always very distinct and full of compassion, his storytelling detailed and full of emotion. So, if you need to know anything, EXTRAORDINARY CANADIANS encompasses every aspect of Peter Mansbridge’s past work. And even as you open the book and read the Introduction, you can’t help but hear Peter’s voice narrating.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for the advanced copy for review.

This is one of the most general books I've read this year, and that's not a bad thing. Mansbridge goes out of his way to ensure that there's a wide variety of topics that would be important to the public, and it shows through the essays how important these people are. Definitely a good coffee table book, both interesting and heartwarming. The topics and people chosen definitely fit the Canadian identity, and I'd agree that they are heroes. They're doing great work, and their stories need to be shown.

What a wonderful book. I would recommend to all Canadians and anyone wanting insight into the accomplishments of 17 individuals who may not always be in the spotlight but who have a positive impact on our society. The candour in these first-person accounts is refreshing and you’ll come away from each person’s story inspired to make a change and champion a cause for the betterment of the country and its citizens.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for the ARC.

What a terrific book!
I love true stories about people striving forward ... especially when surrounded by danger, huge obstacles or even self-doubt.
I find them inspirational.
Peter Mansbridge has gathered stories from extraordinary people who persevered and are making a difference every day.
I loved it!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an arc in exchange for my honest review.

In a year of chaos and uncertainty, a book about strength, resilience, empathy and compassion was exactly what I needed. Retired journalist and news anchor Peter Mansbridge and television producer Mark Bulgutch have compiled the stories of 17 individuals who are making a difference in the daily lives of millions of Canadians. From entrepreneurs to advocates, politicians to parents, these first-person accounts provided me with a stronger connection than if they had been written from a journalistic outsider perspective. The emotions and motivations that have propelled these people forward are universal truths, and offered a reminder of the importance of community and vision. A refreshing take on the people who keep this country real.

Peter Mansbridge is a well-known CBC News anchor here in Canada and with television producer Mark Bulgutch, he has compiled this collection of first-person narratives from everyday Canadians who have made a positive impact on our country.

As Mansbridge states, the great heroes of a country aren't the politicians, the money makers or the celebrities - it is the everyday heroes who show what a country is made of. It's the frontline nurses, the soldiers, the immigrants. It's the advocates, the first Indigenous female surgeon and others who have broken down barriers and faced personal struggles, yet still found the strength, and compassion to give back to their communities to fight for inclusion, acceptance and freedom.

This book features Canadians from various backgrounds and reflects the diversity, humility, strength and perseverance of our population as these seventeen people share the contributions they've made to their communities and our country as a whole. They are an eclectic bunch and while their stories are all compelling, a few touched me more than others - in particular, Jessica Grossman, Frances Wright and Robb Nash. Jessica shares her struggle with Crohn's Disease and her goal to destigmatize ostomy bags. Frances is a tireless supporter of social justice who raised millions of dollars for the Famous Five statues in Ottawa in recognition of five prominent Canadian suffragists and musician Robb Nash is an inspiration for his on-going dedication to support teens dealing with bullying, self-harm, and suicide.

Inspiring, touching and a source of great pride, this group of Canadians show why Canada's diversity, humility and strength make this country an amazing place to call home and for the word 'Canadian' to mean so very much.

Thank you to the publisher for an advance copy of this book via netgalley!

A sweet book compiling stories of Canadians that are not necessary well know. Mansbridge takes the time to talk to them in length in order to adequately share their stories as told by them. The stories are genuinely human, multicultural and inspiring....truly Canadian!

Peter Mansbridge is a retired CBC news anchor who went to high school here in Ottawa. He previously released "Peter Mansbridge: One on One". This new book is a compilation of first person stories about unsung heroes who represent the best of our nation. Included in the mix are Frances Wright, who fought for the recognition of 'the famous five' by raising money for the two sculptures. Our own Heather Reisman was one of the five contributors of $200,000 towards the project. Also making the list is Manny Kohli, the founder of Matt and Nat and Ottawa's own Rabbi Bulka. These are stories that most of us do not know and fair warning, I teared up reading some of them. This is a great gift suggestion especially for those that are hard to buy for and who are not avid readers, as each selection is relatively short.

Veteran news anchor Peter Mansbridge introduces us to ordinary Canadians who are living extraordinary lives. People from all backgrounds and walks of life who have made invaluable contributions to their communities and the country. An inspirational read!

This was such an uplifting book to read about Canadians when the news is so full of negativity. It's full of diversity and inspiring stories. I know for certain I will be purchasing this as Christmas gifts for some of the extraordinary Canadians in my own life.

Exceptional telling of extraordinary Canadians by an extraordinary Canadian! This will surely be a hot holiday gift idea this winter.

Peter Mansbridge, former CBC anchor, puts together a bunch of short profiles of people who have made Canada a better place. Each story is told be the individual themselves. At the end of their story is a short profile of who they are. I would have preferred that profile come first so that I would know who I was reading about BEFORE reading their story but it is what it is.

It’s really nice to read about people who are doing their part to make Canada stronger. At this time where we are bombarded by negative news and politics it is great to hear that there are people who genuinely care about holding Canadians accountable and improving the country we are so proud of.

I was surprised to find that a friend of mine was one of the profiles shared. Robb Nash was in a horrific accident when he was a teenager which almost took his life. In the following years he has taken it upon himself to use his musical talents to help school children learn about his struggles and, essentially, showing them that they are worthy and shouldn’t consider suicide. He has helped numerous kids. I’ve been to one of his shows and they are remarkably powerful. He has been given all kinds of awards for his work.

All kinds of stories are told from different walks of life and points of view. It’s an uplifting book full of hope for the future of our precious country.

The ever-iconic Extraordinary Canadian himself, Peter Mansbridge, has put together such a beautiful collection of stories from doctors, politicians, veterans, immigrants, and more - all Canadian and all with remarkable stories to highlight. I finished this book feeling an overwhelming sense of pride to be a Canadian and am so thankful to live in truly the best place on Earth.

I am only a few stories in but already love it. When I saw Mark and Peter’s name together and what the book was about I was so excited and immediately ordered it for our store. Big fan of Peter Mansbridge and I read Mark’s book ‘That’s why I am a journalist’ and loved it. Can’t wait for our customers to see this on our shelves.

Alongside longtime television producer Mark Bulgutch, acclaimed broadcaster Peter Mansbridge brings together a collection of stories featuring extraordinary Canadians who embody the values we hold dear as a nation.

I had the pleasure of sitting in on a conversation last week between Peter Mansbridge and Sarah St. Pierre, senior editor at Simon and Schuster. When asked who his favorite subject was to interview, Mansbridge said it isn’t who you would think. Over his lengthy career, Peter had conducted over twenty thousand interviews – many of which were with greats like President Barack Obama, Beach Boys front man Brian Wilson and the beloved Gord Downie. However, it’s the lesser known people that he loves to chat with the most; the ones who have seldom or never been interviewed.

Following a conversation with noteworthy hockey journalist Bob McKenzie (who wrote his own book about everyday hockey heroes), Peter embarked on a project to spotlight Canadians whom you may never have heard of or who have had extraordinary lives flying under the radar of notoriety.

Given the diversity of our country, Peter made sure to cast as wide a net as possible with his selections. Peter met with Moses Li, a nurse who had spent time in a hospital overseas assisting in war-torn countries, now working in a Vancouver hospital on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic. He spent time with Pat Danforth, an advocate for the rights of disabled Canadians. He also spoke with Nadine Caron, the first Canadian female surgeon of first nation’s descent and the opposition she faced in achieving her goals.

Throughout his career, Peter had been trying to interview a member of JTF2 (Joint Task Force 2); a special team within the Canadian armed forces that is used for highly specialized and dangerous missions. Peter came close in August of 2001, but of course 9/11 put that on hold. With this project, Peter finally had the opportunity to sit down with a member of the elite team. The story involved JTF-2 taking out a collection of Taliban bomb makers in 2008. It was presented with surprising detail and was action-packed to say the least.

One of the stories that hit me the hardest was Jessica Grossman’s. Jessica had a harrowing experience with Crohn’s Disease as a child. I found this one the most difficult to read based on the graphic details and the fact that this was happening to a child. I cannot imagine the pain and hardship. Her work to destigmatize living with an ostomy bag should be commended given that she had to go through this in her formative years.

Obviously I can’t mention every single person interviewed in this book in my review, but I believe it is very much worth your time to check this one out. The book is structured in such a way that you could pick up and read each entry one at a time or you could fly through it in only a few short sittings (took me about two days). I expect this will be a big hit come the holiday season.