Close X
Thursday, November 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

Publication of 'tell-all' Rob Ford book delayed until next spring

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Oct, 2014 11:34 AM

    TORONTO - Publication of an "unparalleled tell-all" book written by a former top aide fired by Mayor Rob Ford as his crack-scandal made headlines last year appears to have been quietly pushed back until next spring.

    The book by Mark Towhey had been due out just days before the Oct. 27 municipal election but is now expected May 5, 2015, according to Amazon in the U.S.

    Amazon's Canadian website, however, still carries an Oct. 21 publication date but all other promotional materials have been removed.

    Neither Towhey nor the publisher, New York-based Skyhorse Publishing, responded immediately to requests for comment or to explain the changed dates.

    The initial announcement of the book and its publication date was made just two days before Ford's diagnosis with a rare and aggressive cancer prompted him to opt out of his bid for re-election as mayor and run instead for council.

    In signs of the extraordinary rush to get the book on shelves before the vote, the publisher initially gave as many as three titles for the work.

    Skyhorse appears to have since decided on "Mayor Rob Ford: Uncontrollable: How I Tried to Help the World's Most Notorious Mayor."

    Even so, a cover has yet to be finalized.

    The book promises an "insider'' account of working in the mayor's office as Ford's official life unravelled, according to the publisher's blurb.

    Towhey has mostly stayed quiet about his life as chief of staff to Ford and the events that led to his abrupt dismissal last year as the crack-cocaine scandal exploded and after he apparently told his boss to "get help." He maintained he had to show discretion given the role he had played.

    He also refused to discuss the initial pre-election timing of the work that raised questions about the extent of that discretion.

    The litany of Ford's highly publicized woes made him a household name in much of North America.

    He was caught on camera apparently smoking crack cocaine. He was accused of groping a campaign rival. He was fired as a high school football coach. He admitted to using crack in a "drunken stupor." He used profane language on live television and in rants caught on video. Council stripped him of most of his mayoral powers. He ultimately checked in to rehab earlier this year.

    The mayor is currently undergoing chemotherapy for his cancer and has largely dropped from view since stepping out of the mayoral race — although his councillor brother, Doug, has taken his place as a candidate.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Polaris Prize Winner Tanya Tagaq Says She Was Racially, Sexually Harassed in Winnipeg

    Polaris Prize Winner Tanya Tagaq Says She Was Racially, Sexually Harassed in Winnipeg
    WINNIPEG - A prize-winning throat singer says she was sexually harassed and called "a sexy little Indian" while in the Manitoba capital recently.

    Polaris Prize Winner Tanya Tagaq Says She Was Racially, Sexually Harassed in Winnipeg

    Conservatives proposing plan to allow use of journalistic work in political ads

    Conservatives proposing plan to allow use of journalistic work in political ads
    OTTAWA - The Conservative cabinet is considering a plan that would allow political parties to use the work of journalists in its political advertising without permission or compensation.

    Conservatives proposing plan to allow use of journalistic work in political ads

    Former Grit foreign affairs minister upset by Liberal opposition to Iraq mission

    Former Grit foreign affairs minister upset by Liberal opposition to Iraq mission
    OTTAWA - Former foreign affairs minister Lloyd Axworthy says he's perplexed and disappointed that federal Liberals have effectively turned their backs on the responsibility-to-protect doctrine championed by a previous Grit government.

    Former Grit foreign affairs minister upset by Liberal opposition to Iraq mission

    Agriculture minister expects U.S. appeal in upcoming ruling on meat labelling

    Agriculture minister expects U.S. appeal in upcoming ruling on meat labelling
    CALGARY - Federal Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz says the next ruling in a long, drawn-out dispute over meat-labelling requirements in the United States is only a couple of weeks away.

    Agriculture minister expects U.S. appeal in upcoming ruling on meat labelling

    Canadian Tire puts digital tech, store upgrades high on its 3-yr plan

    Canadian Tire puts digital tech, store upgrades high on its 3-yr plan
    TORONTO - Canadian Tire Corp. (TSX:CTC.A) plans to invest an average of $575 million annually over the next three years on business improvements, with money going to new digital technology as well as expansions and upgrades to its store network.

    Canadian Tire puts digital tech, store upgrades high on its 3-yr plan

    Pot should be legalized, regulated and sold like alcohol, says addiction centre

    Pot should be legalized, regulated and sold like alcohol, says addiction centre
    TORONTO - Canada's largest mental health and addiction treatment and research centre is calling for the legalization of marijuana, with strict controls that would govern who could buy weed, from where, and in what quantity.

    Pot should be legalized, regulated and sold like alcohol, says addiction centre