This remarkable memoir and journalistic history chronicles the Toronto Star, a newspaper that has significantly influenced Canadian issues since its founding in 1892 by Joseph E. (Holy Joe) Atkinson. The narrative centers on Beland Honderich's poignant last words to his son, John: "Don't let them ruin the newspaper." As successive editors, publishers, and family owners, both Honderichs shaped the Star into a respected socially liberal broadsheet. Throughout its storied past, the Star has been home to notable figures like Ernest Hemingway and Morley Callaghan, and it has a unique corporate history, having been subject to Ontario government veto power until evolving to the Torstar Voting Trust, which included the Honderich family. Completed shortly before the author's untimely death, this account details the Star's transformation from a tabloid to a bastion of journalistic excellence, winning numerous industry accolades. Honderich candidly discusses challenges such as strikes, boardroom conflicts, and the shift from print, while exploring his complex relationship with his father, known as "The Beast." Despite a cold demeanor, their bond was deep, and John's ascent to leadership was marked by a desire to prove himself. Honest and informative, this memoir offers a personal history of one of the most successful newspapers, seen through the lens of a father-son duo who led it for nearly fifty years.
