Hello

My name is George Laidlaw and I am an Ottawa author of 91 books (mostly on history). Since retiring 13 years ago I've spoken in about 470 retirement homes, historical groups, Kiwanas etc from Ottawa to Windsor, North Bay, Sudbury etc. Included in this number are 25 Probus clubs.

History is always interesting. I come and give a talk for about an hour and bring about 70 different titles for sale. The prices are 5-7 dollars less than in a bookstore. My talk 'MISTAKES THAT CHANGED THE WORLD' is a case in point: A man drives on the wrong road and its consequence cost the lives of 20 million people. General Montcalm who fought against James Wolf would have won if he had waited two hours. A father gets angry at his son and killed his pet crow resulting in 40-60 million people dying around the world. The cancellation of a Canadian plane in 1959 allowed the Americans to win the space race against the Russians. The last heir of Napoleon was a British officer and was killed in the Zulu war. These and other bits of history have changed the world in many ways and I find that seniors (like myself) enjoy history.

The Joys of Canadian History: Often we hear that history is boring and Canadian history has little value or interest, nothing could be farther from the truth. Canadian history is fascinating from John Franklin's expedition to the artic in 1845, the Acadian expulsion, to the battle on the Plains of Abraham. Our history has changed the world, the cancellation of the best plane in the world, the Avro Arrow in 1959 allowed the Americans to win the space race with the Russians. The Yukon gold rush, the United Empire Loyalists, the War of 1812, the Fenian invasion of Canada etc. all have contributed to the building of Canada. I also give talks on LOST TREASURES, and ANCIENT CIVILIZATIONS and THE DEVELOPMENT OF WAR i.e. the archers at Cressy, Poitier and Agincourt put the soldiers of Wellington at the battle of Waterloo to shame; they were 300% more efficient in shots per minute and 500% more accurate.

Why is History So Interesting? (another topic)
These and other bits of history have changed the world in many ways and I find that seniors (like myself) enjoy history.

I would be very pleased to talk to your group.