Canadian journalist and political insider Dalton Camp left behind a powerful legacy, ranging from books to essays, from radio broadcasts to newspaper columns. To celebrate his career and continue his passionate interest in politics, public engagement, and the practice of journalism, the Dalton Camp Lecture is held each year at St. Thomas University and broadcast on Ideas on CBC Radio.

Here, for the first time, gathered together in one remarkable compilation, are the Dalton Camp lectures in journalism. Beginning with journalist and social activist June Callwood's inaugural address, "The Best Game in Town," and ending with New York Times business, media, and culture critic David Carr's "The Next Big Thing Has Finally Arrived," the book centres on the journalist's dilemma: how to find the stories that need to be told and the words that can best be used to tell them.

Featuring the lectures of Callwood and Carr as well as contributions by Nahlah Ayed, Sue Gardner, Chantal Hébert, Naomi Klein, Roy MacGregor, Stephanie Nolen, Neil Reynolds, Joe Schlesinger, and Ken Whyte, The Next Big Thing forecasts the future of journalism and its relationship to democracy and the free expression of ideas.