March 1, 2023

My book “Private Power Public Purpose – Adventures in Business, Politics and the Arts” was successfully launched on February 21, 2023 and, so far, well reviewed. There are many people responsible for this success. Prominent among them are those who took the time to read my 150,000 word manuscript and offer their endorsements – endorsements that appear on the back of the book jacket. The comments are praising of the book and generous to me. For this, I am humbled and deeply thankful.  By way of recognizing them and offering my gratitude , I am posting their quotes. 

“Thomas d’Aquino has led a big, busy life. Entrepreneur, advocate and aesthete, his dazzling career in government, the arts and philanthropy has made him among the most influential Canadians of his generation. For a half century, he was the country’s confidant and convenor in finance, industry, culture, and statecraft. Here is the Renaissance man who went everywhere, knew everyone and embraced everything – ideas, art, architecture, fly-fishing, gardens, languages, manners, marriage, friendship – italicized with brio and joy. Here it all is – the journey well-taken, the life well-lived, the story well-told.”

Andrew Cohen, Journalist, Author and Professor

“Private Power ~ Public Purpose” is an ambitious and sweeping first-hand account of the past 50 years of Canadian economic history, told from the front lines. As a direct participant in these events, Thomas d’Aquino is the consummate policy insider, uniquely placed to relate these intimate stories in the first person, while offering his studied judgements along the way. A highly rewarding read.”

Stephen Poloz, former Governor of the Bank of Canada and author of “The Next Age of Uncertainty: How the World Can Adapt to a Riskier Future”

“For more than half a century, leaders in business and government from across the country and around the world have benefitted from Thomas d’Aquino’s wise counsel. In his timely and timeless book, and through the power of his example, he advises a new generation of leaders on how the return of historical challenges can be overcome today.”

Goldy Hyder, President and CEO, Business Council of Canada

“As the founding CEO of the Business Council of Canada, through nearly three turbulent decades, Thomas d’Aquino’s persuasive and determined leadership transformed the public role of Canada’s private sector, moving it to the active and influential centre of Canada’s debates and decisions about our future, nature, and ability to act together.”

Joe Clark, former Prime Minister of Canada

“Thomas d’Aquino’s accomplishments in aligning Canada’s philanthropists with a shared purpose around the national arts agenda has been one of his lesser known but greatest gifts to the nation.  Private Power ~ Public Purpose dedicates important space to his lifelong love affair with arts and culture, entwining it within the full meaning of the book’s premise.  An important read and an inspiration.”

Karen Colby-Stothart, former CEO of the National Gallery of Canada Foundation; CEO of KCS ArtCounsel Inc.

“Tom d’Aquino’s highly informative memoir is a page-turner that should be required reading for those who aspire to a career in politics, government or business and have leadership ambitions. It is replete with extraordinary insights and key lessons about the qualities of effective leadership and how to get things done. As W.B. Yeats once said, “education is not the filling of a pot but the lighting of a fire.” This book lights a fire with inspirational, riveting stories told by one of the major business leaders of his generation.”

Fen Osler Hampson, Chancellor’s Professor & Professor of International Affairs, Carleton University

“For over half a century, Thomas d’Aquino has not only been a keen observer of the institutions and events shaping our country, but has also played a key role in directing them. This meticulous memoir celebrates his love of Canada and exemplifies his life-long passion to see it achieve its full potential.”

Perrin Beatty, President and Chief Executive Officer, Canadian Chamber of Commerce