Defining moments is a collection of writings, mostly taken from Newman's popular column in Maclean's. Like his celebrated books about the Canadian establishment and the Hudson's Bay Company, Defining Moments is brimming with wit, sharp character sketches, and revealing anecdotes about some of the country's most influential people. The book strings together chapters with such themes as Canadian heroes, national leaders, the ugly side of capitalism, and Quebec politics. Individual pieces - there are about 60 of them - cover topics as diverse as Canadians' love for the outdoors, the death of Bruno Gerussi, and billionaire Ken Thomson's monomania for his dog, Gonzo.