Interest talks

I offer a wide range of highly informative talks (both in person or online) on a range of topics derived from my own research. They are typically 45 minutes long, but timing can be tailored accordingly. They are ideal for cruise ships on sea days as well as clubs and associations in need of an entertaining lunch or dinner time speaker.

Scott or Shackleton - who was the greatest Antarctic explorer?

Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Henry Shackleton were two of Britain's greatest polar explorers, whose early days of Antarctic exploration where closely entwined. Thereafter, they went their separate ways, each with a mission to reach the South Pole. In this talk I share their differing leadership styles as they negotiated the hazards of their expeditions.

Shackleton's Antarctic Journeys

The March 2022 discovery of Shackleton's vessel "Endurance," 3000 metres below the surface of the Weddell Sea has re-kindled interest in this remarkable explorer. Although his life at home and as an explorer was not entirely successful, he was able to demonstrate remarkable powers of leadership while enduring situations of extreme adversity. Note: this talk is 90 minutes long and can be delivered in two parts if required (recommended).

Inside Alcatraz

Alcatraz has always fascinated me. On researching this topic I discovered that it is so much more than the maximum security prison that spanned 30 years. In this talk I share its timeline, interesting features, and life as an inmate, through to the tourist attraction that it is today.

Heroes and Villains of the Titanic

I share Titanic's journey from the moment she was conceived until after her demise. As with most catastrophes, blame is seldom apportioned to just one individual. Usually behind the scenes there is at least one hero. During this riveting talk I expose those responsible for Titanic’s misfortune and heroes who came to the rescue.

The Titanic - What might have been

As with most catastrophes there are usually a number of factors to blame. The sinking of the Titanic was no exception. In this talk I reveal the blunders that contributed to her demise on 15 April 1912.

Chris Barnard - Surgeon Extrordinaire

In famously performing the world’s first heart transplant, South Africa’s Chris Barnard was far more than a talented heart surgeon. I share his contributions to medicine, not only in his field of cardiac surgery but in a number of other life-saving areas, not forgetting some of his notorious exploits with the opposite sex!

The Advent of Open Heart Surgery

Open heart surgery only became viable following the invention of the blood oxygenator, forerunner of what is today known as the heart lung machine. Walton Lillehei of the University of Minnesota was instrumental in its development and application. I share the role he and others played in advancing open heart surgery during the twentieth century.

The Rise and Fall of Concorde

Concorde went through a period of ups and downs during her thirty year existence before she was withdrawn from service in 2003. I share the roller coaster ride of her life together with some of the lesser known factors that contributed to her demise.

The Crime of the 20th Century

The Great Train Robbery of 1963, dubbed "The Crime of the Century" was a brazen attack on the Glasgow to London mail train conveying a huge quantity of bank notes. Sixteen members successfully stopped the train and relieved it of most of its precious cargo. In this talk I share how the robbery was planned, executed, the robber arrests and subsequent fall out.

The Death Railway

During World War II, prisoners captured by the Japanese during the invasion of South East Asian countries were transported to Thailand. They were put to task working on the Thai-Burma railway under horrifically harsh conditions. I share the story of the construction of what became known as the infamous "Death Railway" and its eventual demise.

The Amazing Cocount

The coconut tree is the most useful tree on this planet, with its trunk, foliage and fruit having a wide range of uses that benefit us in our daily lives. I expose how the components of the amazing coconut, when separated and processed in different ways yield a range of chemicals with unique properties. You’ll learn how these enhance the performance of many everyday products we take for granted.

Vietnam's Wars

Over the centuries Vietnam experienced a number of wars, the most famous of course being America's encounter with the Viet Cong during the 50s and 60s. Prior to this there had also been several conflicts with French colonialists. Vietnams history is traced through these conflicts resulting in its independence and relative peace.

The Singapore Success Story

Singapore has one of the highest standards of living in the world, but not before a turbulent period during its links to Malaya (now Malaysia). The influential leader Lee Kuan Yew elevated his country from a backwater to first world status. Discover values contributing to Singapore's success, as experienced by an expat who lived and worked there for over 20 years.

Asian Etiquette - what they don't tell you in travel guides

This humorous account of how foreigners often "get it wrong" when interacting with Asians provides useful tips on key "need to know" aspects of appropriate behaviour, when travelling around Asia. It focuses on the value of being attuned to the sensitive to the ways of Asian cultures.

Surviving Chinese Etiquette

Wherever you travel in the world, and especially in Asia, one will inevitably end up interacting with Chinese. A way of establishing good relationships with Chinese (and other Asians) is having an awareness of their etiquette and knowing how to practise it. Humorous and valuable stories relating to key aspects of Chinese etiquette are shared in this highly entertaining presentation.

A Gaijin in Japan

Follow the exploits of me, a Gaijin (foreign person) during my frequent trips to Japan for business and holiday purposes. Gain insights into the ways of life of ordinary working Japanese ("salary man") in the Land of the Rising Sun, through amusing but valuable accounts of his experiences.