Newman is known for his writings on business and politics.  He has authored 24 books, including as the controversial The Secret Mulroney Tapes: Unguarded Confessions of a Prime Minister. He has received seven honourary doctorates, numerous journalism awards and is a Companion in the Order of Canada.

According to Asper’s daughter, Gail Asper, president of the Asper Foundation, Newman approached the family a few years after Asper’s passing, wanting to write a book about him with the family’s cooperation.

Asper was a charismatic visionary, business entrepreneur, family man, self-made billionaire, Zionist, ardent Canadian, philanthropist and founder of CanWest (composed of Global Television and more than 60 newspapers, including the National Post).

Although Newman’s book on Asper is an unauthorized biography, Gail Asper said, “I have great regard for Newman and his writing. The family was interviewed and we fact-checked the book before it went to print.”

As much as Newman tells the story of Asper, he also shares insights about his hometown of Winnipeg.  

“To an astonishing degree, the Asper saga is the history of modern Winnipeg and vice versa,” he wrote.  

“Newman looked back at Manitoba some 80 years ago, when it was a central hub, aspiring to greatness,” said Gail. “My dad managed to build a major business and prove that it doesn’t matter where you are from.”

In 1989, Gail left her commercial and corporate lawyer career in Halifax and returned to Winnipeg to work with her father at Canwest Global, the Asper Foundation and Global.

“I learned so much from my dad,” she said. “One of his axioms was ‘never do a little deal.’  Everything he did – big or small – he would do in a reaching for the stars fashion. He was a real taskmaster of himself and everyone around him – the kind of guy anyone would want to work for.”

Concerning Newman’s book, Gail said, “It’s hard, in one book, to capture the totality of a person. There could be an encyclopaedia written on each of my father’s interests. But the book did catch his sense of humour, his love for Canada and his hard work ethic.”

Moe Levy has been the executive director of the Asper Foundation for more than nine years.  

He said, “Izzy was my friend, mentor and employer. We would talk for hours about dreams for the community, humanity and the world.”

Levy said Newman’s book referring to Izzy as ‘the King of the Diaspora’ fits well. “Izzy was the Jewish people’s voice, challenging the government and the world about Israel,” said Levy.  People can read this book and learn how to dream, live and love Israel. Izzy never said Israel is perfect, but he believed it has the right to exist and live in peace.”

Yude Henteleff, of the law firm Pitblado LLP, recalled how he, Asper and Harold Buchwald were friends for more than 60 years.  

“The three of us are passionate Canadians and Israel-passionate – and no, that’s not a contradiction,” said Henteleff.

When Henteleff read Newman’s book, he said, “It brought back all sorts of wonderful memories, and made me proud all over again about our association.”

Newman’s book tells a story of a man who made an enormous contribution, nationally and internationally, conveyed Henteleff.  

“The book is important for future generations, so they can learn about the Izzys of this world – what made them tick and the challenges they faced.”