Arrow through the heart: The life and times of Crawford Gordon and the Avro Arrow [Hardcover]

Greig Stewart (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1998

For the millions of Canadians who viewed the 1997 mini-series "the Arrow" Crawford Gordon was brought to life by Dan Aykroyd's portrayal of the flamboyant president of A.V. Roe. But Crawford Gordon's story is much, much more.

Things did come easily for him and he seemed to achieve success in half the time and at a younger age than most. Graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce degree from McGill University in 1933 at the age of 19, Gordon rose rapidly in the business world to become controller for Canadian General Electric by age 21 and right-hand man to C.D. Howe during the war years. Before his 1967 death at age 52, Crawford Gordon ran two government departments, four multi-national corporations and held directorships in 10 major corporations.

Some say he was one of the greatest industrialists and business minds this country has ever produced. Others say he was little more than a canny political cowboy who herded the imagination of the country into his money making schemes.

Written in co-operation with the Gordon family, with access to his private papers, photos, and corporate documents, award-winning author Greig Stewart uncovers the colourful, charismatic, controversial and ultimately tragic life of the man who touched the lives of thousands of Canadians.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

"He was a man who could be both caring and ruthless, depending on his assessment of a particular situation... There was no nonsense with Crawford: you were either good or you were out!"
--Jim Floyd, Vice President of Engineering, Avro Aircraft

"Gordon was arrogant as hell in his operation of A.V Roe Canada. And yet he had this kind of charm that just about dropped the pants off every lady he met."
--Jim Hornick, Globe and Mail

"In many ways he was a lot like E.P Taylor, impatient and impetuous. He was certainly the strongest guy I ever met in my life- a great athlete, a great golfer, full of vitality."
--Fred Smye, General Manager, A.V. Roe Canada

"When he [Gordon] sets his mind to do a job, he'll do it in spite of hell and high water. And that is what he has done in A.V. Roe... As long as he is at the helm of this company, you haven't anything to worry about."
--Sir Roy Dobson, Chairman, Hawker-Siddeley

About the Author

Greig Stewart's book Shutting Down the National Dream won the National Business Book Award when it published in 1989 and has now sold over 20,000 copies. Re-issued in paperback in 1996 to tie in with "The Arrow" mini-series, the book was a Toronto Star bestseller. Greig grew up in that part of Toronto hardest hit by layoffs resulting from the termination of the Arrow program, the Mount Dennis/Weston area. As a child, he saw the Arrow on many of its test flights. He vividly recalls his father, a union member at Canadian Kodak, going door to door in the late winter of 1059, after the lay-offs. Performing his union duty, he collected money for the "Avro guys," many of whom were about to lose their homes. Greig Stewart has been interviewed by national radio and television on the subject of A.V Roe Canada's airplanes and engines, and has contributed to numerous books and documentaries about the Avro Arrow.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 205 pages
• Publisher: McGraw-Hill Ryerson (March 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0075601028
• ISBN-13: 978-0075601029
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,068,462 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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