Terry O’Reilly is one of the most beloved radio personalities on CBC, host of the CBC Radio One series O’Reilly on Advertising, The Age of Persuasion and Under the Influence, which examine the cultural and sociological impact of advertising and marketing on modern life.

He has a few books.

I read Against the Grain: Defiant Giants Who Changed the World (2025) and was much impressed. It’s non-fiction.

… mavericks who go “against the grain” in their work …

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).