"After Canada went to war in 1939, over one million Canadians signed up to defend Britain against the deadly forces of Nazi Germany. Back at home, while young Canadians went into battle, the Mackenzie King government decided to provide the British with the ships, planes, and weapons that it desperately needed to defend their island against Nazi invasion. But at the time, Canada had little to offer in terms of military hardware. That was when Canada recruited top business leaders to take charge. In six years, they turned Canada into one of the largest military powers in the world. They helped to win the war and, in the process, they turned Canada's economy into a modern industrial one. What's more, they served the country without collecting a government salary. This is their story: a proud chapter in Canada's history, and a lasting reminder of what leadership, unity, and selfless service can achieve."--Page 2 of cover.