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Off the Record cover art

Off the Record

Written by: Peter Mansbridge
Narrated by: Peter Mansbridge
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Publisher's Summary

Peter Mansbridge invites us to walk the beat with him in this entertaining and revealing look into his life and career, from his early broadcasting days in the remote Northern Manitoba community of Churchill to the fast-paced news desk of CBC’s flagship show, The National, where he reported on stories from around the world.

Today, Peter Mansbridge is often recognized for his distinctive deep voice, which calmly delivered the news for more than 50 years. But ironically, he never considered becoming a broadcaster. In some ways, though, Peter was prepared for a life as a newscaster from an early age. Every night around the dinner table, his family would debate the news of the day, from Cold War scandals and Vietnam to Elvis Presley and the Beatles.

So in 1968, when by chance a CBC radio manager in Churchill, Manitoba, offered him a spot hosting the local late-night music program, Peter embraced the opportunity. Without a teacher, he tuned into broadcasts from across Canada, the US, and the UK to learn the basic skills of a journalist and he eventually parlayed his position into his first news job. Less than 20 years later, he became the chief correspondent and anchor of The National.

With humor and heart, Peter shares never-before-told stories from his distinguished career, including reporting on the fall of the Berlin Wall and the horror of 9/11, walking the beaches of Normandy with Tom Brokaw, and talking with Canadian prime ministers from John Diefenbaker to Justin Trudeau. But it’s far from all serious. Peter also writes about finding the “cure” for baldness in China and landing the role of Peter Moosebridge in Disney’s Zootopia. From the first (and only) time he was late to broadcast to his poignant interview with the late Gord Downie, these are the moments that have stuck with him.

After years of interviewing others, Peter turns the lens on himself and takes us behind the scenes of his life on the frontlines of journalism as he reflects on the toll of being in the spotlight, the importance of diversity in the newsroom, the role of the media then and now, and the responsibilities we all bear as citizens in an increasingly global world.

©2021 Peter Mansbridge (P)2021 Simon & Schuster Audio

What listeners say about Off the Record

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  • Ron
  • 2021-10-31

A Stellar Read!

I couldn't put this book down,
It's the stories that touched our lives
Thank you Peter

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Awesome awesome awesome

Highly recommend. Couldn’t stop until it was done. No better narrator out there either. Cheers

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Breaking News: A Must Read by Peter Mansbridge!

From start to finish an incredible journey of a Canadian Journalism Legend. Stories of an extraordinary life lived well and respectfully. You feel as though Peter is taking you along with him as he recounts a storied career that touched so many lives and kept us all informed by a trusted source we welcomed into our homes. No At Issue Panel needed to know this book is a must for Canadians. Hearing Peter’s recognized voice carry’s the chapters seamlessly through the decades of a life so interesting you are sad to reach the end of the book.
Thank you Peter for your career and this great book.

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Awesome. Well done. Thank You Peter!

I really enjoyed the stories spanning his career, and feeling apart of it as a Canadian. Once I started, I had to finish. Captivating!

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  • SK
  • 2022-11-25

Most Enjoyable Audible Experience So Far

Peter Mansbridge is an exceptional Canadian journalist, sadly now retired, whose laudable sense of purpose and set of values are revealed by the interesting experiences he has chosen to share with us. Consistent with his lifelong reporting style, there’s no sensationalism to be found here, and only one minor indiscretion—but that’s for him and his graduating nephew to resolve!!

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  • TD
  • 2022-11-23

Excellent Listen

I loved this biography, it was well written and of course who doesn't want to listen to Mr. Mansbridge tell his story.

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Great to hear Peter's voice again

Peter Mansbridge was a fixture in my life as host of CBC's The National. This audiobook took me behind the scenes of some of the most memorable events he covered, along with tantalizing snippets of the private person at the core of that famous face and voice.

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Peter makes me proud to be a Canadian

The journey in life taken by Peter reminds me so much of many other Canadians who went on to achieve their success in their chosen field of work. This is what Canada is all about, a shared experience, a shared goal, to contribute back to society so that this place we call home will be a better place to live in for all!! Thanks Peter for sharing our story with everyone!!

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Must read/listen for newsies

Great book from Peter Mansbridge. Lots of interesting tales from his path in life, flew through it. 100% recommend.

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Peter comes through the screen to tell us about ourselves.

Peter Mansbridge tells a warm and often amusing series of reminisces of his life as he became many Canadian’s favourite regular evening visitor on the CBC’s The National. This is not just a series of tales about the people he has met during his outstanding career but is full of quite honest natural reactions to local, national and intentional events as seen through the eyes of a Canadian observer. His viewers learned to trust his reporting and to expect his personal twist on what might seem to be just another headline. His natural humanity helped us to understand the human realities associated with the events. His career has allowed him to analyze who we are, bumps and all, and he does not let us off the hook of responsibility for each other. Thank you, Peter, and I will try harder to keep us all pushing for more and hoping for our best.

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