Whyte's book is described as "provocative." We're shocked.

Kenneth Whyte, editor-in-chief of Maclean’s, is about to embark on a cross-country tour to promote his new book, The Uncrowned King: The Sensational Rise of William Randolph Hearst. Whyte will hit eight cities in 15 days to “read from, discuss and debate his lively and provocative re-interpretation of the controversial legacy of the great newspaperman,” according to a press release.

"Biographies of William Hearst tend to present him as a deeply disturbed man who used his power and enormous wealth for selfish, dishonest, and destructive purposes—that's the Citizen Kane version —or as a rich and reckless huckster," Whyte, founding editor-in-chief of the National Post, is quoted as saying. "I see him, especially as a young man— the period of life covered in my book—as a great journalist with strong principles who made an enormous difference in journalism and the public sphere, much of it to the good, some of it even heroic."

Maclean's has published an interview with Whyte about the book (how's that for shameless self-promotion?).

An excerpt from the book, published by the National Post, can be read here. 

(Writers interested in pursuing a 1970s Rolling Stone-style "on the road with" piece can send a proposal to mursi@masthead.ca.)

TOUR DATES:

WATERLOO

NOV. 17, 7:30 PM

Knox Church, Words Worth Books
(519) 884-2665
Reading with Mary-Lou Finlay

VANCOUVER

NOV. 18, 7 PM

Chapters, 788 Robson Street
(604) 682-4066
On-stage interview with Ken MacQueen

EDMONTON

NOV. 20, 7:30 PM

Greenwoods' Bookshoppe, 7925-104 St.
(780) 439-2005
On-stage interview with Todd Babiak

CALGARY

NOV. 24, 7 PM

Chapters, 5005 Dalhousie Dr. N.W.
(403) 202-4600
On-stage interview with Donna McElligott

TORONTO

NOV. 26, 7 PM

Indigo, 55 Bloor Street West
(416) 925-3536
On-stage interview with Seamus O'Regan

MONTREAL

NOV. 30, 10 AM

Books and Breakfast, sponsored by Paragraphe
Books
Omni Hotel, 1050 Sherbrooke St. West
For tickets call (514) 845-5811

BURLINGTON

DEC. 1, 7 PM

Engaging Ideas Series, Burlington Central
Library
with A Different Drummer Books,
For tickets call (905) 639-0925

DEC. 2, 7 PM

At the Bookshelf (in cinema), 41 Quebec St.
On-stage interview with Mary Lou Finlay
For tickets call (519) 821-3311