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Against the Grain book cover
Against the Grain
Defiant Giants Who Changed the World
2025
First Published
3.94
Average Rating
304
Number of Pages

New from the bestselling 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.

Avg Rating
3.94
Number of Ratings
54
5 STARS
31%
4 STARS
39%
3 STARS
22%
2 STARS
7%
1 STARS
0%
goodreads

Author

Terry O'Reilly
Author · 7 books

Since retiring, Terry spends his time writing, working with animal rescue groups, walking his three dogs, pumping iron while listening to Harry Potter audio books and riding/showing his champion Quarter Horse. His interest in Native American culture stems from the fact that in tracing his heritage, he found his great grandfather was an Illini.

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