The Big Nickel

The Big Nickel was published in 1977 by Between the Lines, a Canadian independent press noted for its focus on social and political issues. The book emerged during a period of heightened academic and activist interest in the industrial history of Northern Ontario, specifically examining the socioeconomic impact of the mining industry in Sudbury. It serves as a historical and critical examination of the nickel industry's development and its complex relationship with the labor force and local communities of the era.

Authored by Jamie Swift, the text was designed to bridge the gap between rigorous journalistic research and accessible social commentary. Swift sought to document the power dynamics inherent in a company-dominated town, providing a critical perspective on corporate influence that was often overlooked in mainstream media. Upon its release, it was regarded as a significant contribution to the literature of Canadian labor history, praised for its clear-eyed investigation into the human costs of industrial resource extraction.