Joseph Flavelle was one of the most influential businessmen in Canada's history. This intimate biography of the man is also a history of the origins and development of big business in Canada, of the corporations and institutions that became an integral part of Canadian life during Joseph Flavelle's lifetime. His career is a Canadian business epic - his story is also the story of Canada Packers, Simpsons, the Bank of Commerce, National Trust, and half a dozen other major coporations that continue to influence Canada today.

When it was first published in 1978, A Canadian Millionaire quickly became one of the most honoured books of its kind. For it, Michael Bliss was awarded the Macdonald Price in Canadian history, the University of British Columbia Medal for Biography, the City of Toronto Book Award, the Toronto Historical Board Award of Merit, and the Francois Garneau prize. Today it is recognized as a classic in Canadian biography.