Irwin had great influence in Canada as the driving force for 25 years behind the success of Maclean's Magazine (his to "interpret Canada to Canadians"); as film commissioner at the National Film Board beginning in 1950; as a diplomat to Australia, Brazil, and Mexico; and as publisher of a Victoria newspaper. This biography describes the man and his times, giving insight into present-day Canadian nationalism and cultural identity. Annotation copyright Book News, Inc. Portland, Or.