Against the Grain: Defiant Giants Who Changed the World

A NATIONAL BESTSELLER from the author and host of CBC Radio’s Under the Influence

In Terry’s bestselling book, My Best Mistake, he uncovers the surprising power of screwing up. Now, he turns his incredible eye to the mavericks who go “against the grain” in their work to see what makes them tick and to explore what lessons we can learn from them. People who chose to ignore conventional wisdom, found or invented a better way, questioned the status quo at great sacrifice and pushed for change against all odds. Some were drummed out of their careers for it but in the end were proven right (Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis). Some were celebrated but had to fight every inch of the way (Norman Lear). Some re-invented their industry but preferred to stay an outsider (Tom Laughlin—aka Billy Jack). Some confounded their competitors with ingenious strategies (NHL coach Roger Neilson). One even saved millions of people around the world, but was humiliated, demoted, and dismissed for her entire career (Dr. Katalin Karikó—co-creator of the COVID vaccine). All persistent visionaries, each covered in battle scars.

TERRY O’REILLY, the winner of hundreds of international advertising awards, is an in-demand speaker and the bestselling author of The Age of Persuasion, This I Know, and My Best Mistake, finalist for the National Business Book Award. His highly awarded radio programs O’Reilly on Advertising, The Age of Persuasion, and Under the Influence have been broadcast on CBC Radio since 2005, and his podcast has been downloaded over 40 million times. Terry O’Reilly lives outside of Huntsville, Ontario.