Gimme a Crisis

Advance praise for Gimme a Crisis:

“Not simply a thorough and entertaining biography of Rick Waugh, a central player in Canada’s financial history and a stellar crisis manager; [Gimme a Crisis] is a meticulously researched and detailed chronicle of the biggest financial events of our time, delivering concrete guidance for today’s policymakers.”
—Stephen Poloz, former governor of the Bank of Canada and author of The Next Age of Uncertainty, winner of the 2023 National Business Book Award

“A riveting adventure story about what really happens . . . behind the scenes in Canadian banking.”
—Geoff Smith, executive chair of EllisDon

“This book provides sound financial history insights, learnings, and advice from the perspective of a major, global Canadian bank CEO. . . . A terrific read.”
—Bob Kelly, former chairman and CEO of the Bank of New York Mellon

“Howard brings to life the story of Rick’s rise from Winnipeg boy to bank teller to CEO of one of Canada’s largest and most important companies—providing not only a compelling story but also lessons in leadership. A must-read for students of bank and business history.”
—Rob Wessel, executive chairman and co-founder of Hamilton ETFs

“A remarkable story about an exceptional leader and globally respected banker who successfully navigated Scotiabank, its employees, and shareholders through very turbulent times. An important reminder that caring for people and nurturing relationships is a critical component of true leadership.”
—Diane Flanagan, retired Corporate Affairs & Communications executive at Intact Financial Corporation and Scotiabank

“This isn’t just a biography of one of Canada’s most influential bankers through trying times. It is a close examination of the architecture of Canada’s banking legacy on a global stage. . . . You’ll read a book about a man, but come away knowing so much more about our system and our country.”
—Amber Kanwar, former BNN Bloomberg anchor and host of In the Money with Amber Kanwar

“If you think bankers are boring, and banking is, well, dull . . . consider Rick Waugh, a banking lifer who rose from lowly Winnipeg branch bank teller to CEO of Scotiabank, one of Canada’s Big Five. Along the way, Waugh found himself in the middle of “undercover ops” in Argentina, deal-making that led to the creation of today’s NBA Toronto Raptors, and managing a “financial COVID-19” of the global financial meltdown, among many other crises. In Gimme a Crisis, Howard Green, one of Canada’s premier financial journalists, unfolds the personal and business biography of Rick Waugh, one of Canada’s most influential bankers and a man who claims he thrives on crisis. But he also offers nuanced insights and analysis of some of the seminal financial events of our time and Canada’s place in them. A compelling read.”
—Stephen Kimber, author of The Phelan Feud: The Bitter Struggle for Control of a Great Canadian Food Empire


Praise for Howard Green’s books:

“The best book ever done on Canadian banking.”
—Peter C. Newman

“Howard Green’s fast-paced book tells the truly fascinating story.”
—David Chilton, author of The Wealthy Barber and The Wealthy Barber Returns and co-star of Dragon’s Den

“An interesting read.”
―Warren Buffet

“Hunter Harrison was a colorful man with a zest for life and a passion for railroading. He was certainly the greatest modern manager of these massive networks of commerce that undergird industrial society. Railroader is the story of an interesting life and the intricacies of complex managerial challenges, woven into an enjoyable and highly informative book.”
—Frederick W. Smith, chairman and CEO, FedEx Corporation

“Railroader presents both a fascinating business story with global resonance and a very personal tale of a life fully lived in a ‘no-holds barred’ fashion to the very end. It is a brilliant profile of an enigmatic, somewhat obsessed, railroad mercenary, who turned his industry on its head, with new benchmarks for future generations of leaders. Lots of juicy learnings throughout.”
—Calin Rovinescu, president & CEO, Air Canada

“Precision railroading was his vision and unbending will his advantage. In this tightly written account of Hunter Harrison’s fifty years of extraordinary achievement, Howard Green has captured the essence of the man. A valuable history and, as well, a great read.”
—Bill Downe, former president & CEO, BMO Financial Group

“A great read. Railroader offers a balanced view of Hunter Harrison’s complex personality. Hunter Harrison, like Steve Jobs, is proof that a strong, knowledgeable leader with a vision can make a huge difference.”
—Jim Keohane, president & CEO, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan

“A riveting, up-close profile of one of the most successful and controversial CEOs of the modern era. Railroader is a master class in sharp-elbowed management in a fabled industry. Part hard ass, part mentor, part preacher, Hunter Harrison goes from one railroad to another to another to another, turning them all around and creating conflict everywhere he went. You won’t be able to put this book down.”
—Ali Velshi, anchor, MSNBC and business correspondent, NBC News

“Howard Green infuses his narrative with the passion and snap that epitomized Hunter Harrison’s consummate success running four different North American railroads. Railroader is an affectionate but blunt portrayal that is a lively, compelling read, giving vibrant, human texture to an exceptional business career.”
—Derek Burney, former Canadian ambassador to the United States

“This book energized me to approach business and life just a little more like Hunter Harrison. . . . Howard Green masterfully puts you up close and personal with a man who’s both utterly straightforward yet complicated, all while giving a great perspective on what was happening in business at the time. . . . This is one of the best books I’ve ever read.”
—Nicole Verkindt, founder and CEO, OMX

“Revered and reviled, Hunter Harrison was a CEO like no other. He transformed North American railroads. He repriced executive compensation. He ignited debates about safety and competitiveness, and left us all debating the price of precision. . . . In Railroader, Howard Green captures the man in full, with an intimate yet nuanced portrait of an uncompromising, compulsive executive whose legacy both endures and confounds.”
—John Stackhouse, senior vice-president, RBC, and former editor-in-chief, The Globe and Mail

“Candid, engaging and at times poignant.”
—Maclean’s

“Detailed and surprisingly candid.”
—Montreal Gazette

“An inspiring and unusually candid memoir . . . a well-written, easy-to-read tell-all.”
—Winnipeg Free Press

“A magical and magnetic story of how one extraordinary man optimistically and tenaciously navigated his values and vision triumphantly through business, philanthropy, education, and the public interest without ever losing his sense of compassion—or balance. A true original. And a great read!”
—The Honourable Rosalie Silberman Abella, Supreme Court of Canada

“I have known Charles Bronfman for fifty years. During that period he has shown great strengths as a visionary business leader, an innovative philanthropist and as a passionate Canadian who made a major contribution to the unity and prosperity of our country . . . a fascinating book.”
—The Right Honourable Brian Mulroney, former prime minister of Canada

“Charles Bronfman was a great statesman and leader with remarkable vision during his tenure as a Major League Baseball owner. . . . He brought not only wisdom but integrity to our sport . . . Distilled is compelling and absolutely fascinating to read.”
—Allan H. (Bud) Selig, Commissioner Emeritus, Major League Basebal