Author Jeff Rubin wins National Business Book Award

Award marks the 25th anniversary of celebrating Canadian business writing

TORONTO, June 9 /CNW/ - The winner of this year's National Business Book Award is Jeff Rubin for his book, Why Your World is About to Get a Whole Lot Smaller: Oil and the End of Globalization, published by Random House Canada. The announcement was made this afternoon at a luncheon in Toronto, hosted by co-sponsors PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and BMO Financial Group.

In his book, Rubin explores the pivotal role that the price of oil plays in determining the state of both the economy and society. Ever provocative and contrarian, he attributes the main cause of the recent recession to the dramatic rise in oil prices rather than subprime mortgage lending. Rubin argues, furthermore, that as oil prices rise, assumptions about the inevitability of globalization will be overturned and the focus will shift toward more local and regional economies and green initiatives.

Rubin analyzes the long-term impacts of high oil costs, and brings his arguments to life through anecdotes and analogies. His ability to communicate complex concepts and technical material in an engaging and insightful way demonstrates his ability as an author.

In its 25th year, the National Business Book Award celebrates Canadian business-related writing, published in Canada, in English or French. It is considered one of Canada's most prestigious and respected literary awards. Co-sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP and BMO Financial Group, the National Business Book Award honours the winning author with a $20,000 prize.

"For 25 years, PwC has recognized and celebrated Canada's talent and passion for literature in the business writing and publishing community," says Gino Scapillati, National Managing Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers. "This year's finalists are accomplished professionals whose topics and curiosity underscore the growth and evolution of this genre. We learn and are also entertained by their biographies, historical perspectives and insightful trend-spotting."

"We are very pleased to support Canadian business writers," says Rose Patten, Senior Executive Vice-President, Head of Human Resources and Senior Leadership Advisor, BMO Financial Group. "The Canadian marketplace is driven by knowledge, innovation and dialogue. We see sound business writing as a critical component of a strong economy."

This year's jury is chaired by Roger Martin, Dean, Rotman School of Management, University of Toronto. The jury includes: Jane Cooney, President, Books for Business; William Dimma, Chairman Emeritus, Home Capital Group Inc.; Peter Mansbridge, Chief Correspondent, CBC Television Network; Deirdre McMurdy, Vice-President, Public Policy Forum; and The Honourable Pamela Wallin, Senator.

About the author

Jeff Rubin has become one of Canada's most followed economists since becoming CIBC World Market's Chief Economist over fifteen years ago. His work first gained attention in 1989 when he accurately predicted that Toronto real estate prices would decline by 25 per cent. Later, Rubin's recommendation to set the Goods and Services Tax rate at 7 per cent, instead of 10, was also accepted. For almost two decades, Rubin has been a resource for key economic issues and events. His research on emerging trends in energy markets and their impact on the global economy has earned recognition around the world.

He holds a graduate degree from McGill University in economics and completed his undergraduate degree with distinction at the University of Toronto.

The finalists for this year's National Business Book Award include:

    
    -   John DeMont, Coal Black Heart: The Story of Coal and the Lives it
        Ruled, published by Doubleday Canada.

    -   Wendy Dobson, Gravity Shift: How Asia's New Economic Powerhouses Will
        Shape the Twenty-First Century, published by University of Toronto
        Press.

    -   Buzz Hargrove, Laying It on the Line: Driving a Hard Bargain in
        Challenging Times, published by HarperCollins Publishers Ltd.

    -   Rod McQueen, Manulife: How Dominic D'Alessandro Built a Global Giant
        and Fought to Save It, published by Penguin Group (Canada).
    

The National Business Book Award winner in 2009 was Gordon Pitts for Stampede! The Rise of the West and Canada's New Power Elite.

For further information: or to arrange interviews, please call: Mary Ann Freedman, Freedman & Associates Inc., Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected], www.nbbaward.com