These books are based on presentations from the CBC Massey Lectures. “The Masseys” are an almost-annual event in Canada where a distinguished thinker (of some kind) gives a week-long lecture about some pressing topic or another. Those lectures are then broadcast on public radio and published as a book.
“Since 1961, CBC Radio has broadcast the Massey Lectures, bringing Canadians some of the greatest minds of our time, exploring the ideas that make us who we are and asking the questions that make us better human beings. The lectures are a partnership between CBC, House of Anansi Press and Massey College in the University of Toronto.”
Historically speaking, they're quite a thing. Past speakers on this circuit include the likes of Noam Chomsky and Martin Luther King Jr. ... though I will say that I do not think every speaker here would warrant such praise. It's only natural, given 50 years worth of material, that not all of it would rise to the same highs. Some of the Masseys are more muted than others.