Meet Frank O’Dea, co-founder of Second Cup, Landmines International, and CANFAR, former alcoholic and streetperson, pilot, political wonk, husband, father, and motivational speaker. With this book, he adds “published author” to the list – but like many other memoirists, O’Dea undermines his own extraordinary life experience with ordinary storytelling.

Born into blue-collar Montreal, O’Dea became an alcoholic as a teen, presumably as a coping mechanism for the sexual abuse he suffered – he doesn’t spend much time here unpacking the reasons behind his addiction. He spent his early twenties on Toronto’s mean streets. Confronted with his own mortality two days before Christmas in 1970, he decided to quit the booze and reclaim control of his life, going on to make his name as a pioneer in the modern retail coffee industry, and then again in politics and the non-profit sector.

O’Dea’s life story follows two remarkable themes: perseverance and denial. I have no desire to rejoice in his suffering – clearly, his battle has been fought uphill, and in the mud – but most readers will tire of O’Dea’s blandly positive outlook on life, as summed up by his bumper-sticker mantra: Hope, Vision, Integrity.

His reluctance to discuss the abuse that plagued his adolescence is understandable, but O’Dea is equally reluctant to talk  about his political career and his frosty relationship with Second Cup co-founder Tom Culligan. Again, I take no personal delight in his business deal gone bad, but a bit of sauce would complement this very white meat. Whether the bland taste is the result of John Reynolds’ ghostwriting or O’Dea’s cautious direction remains unclear. If all we have is hope, let’s hope that O’Dea continues his philanthropic work without a second thought about another book.