In past guest appearances at the annual Kingston Aviation Christmas dinner, Ted Barris has spoken about the Battle at Vimy Ridge and the instructors of the BCATP. On Saturday, November 30, 2013, he’s back to talk about and present visuals from his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!. As always, he will have copies of his books for sale and autographing.

When: 5:30 p.m., Saturday, November 30, 2013.

Where: The Italia Club, Kingston, Ontario

Contact: Lois & Dave Tisdale, 613-548-3753, loisdave@kingston.net

Ted Barris has spoken at least half a dozen times to the G.M. Salaried Retirees Association of Oshawa and area. On Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013, Barris returns, to talk about and present visuals from his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!. As always, he will have copies of his books for sale and autographing.

When: 1 – 2:30 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 8, 2013.

Where: Woodview Park Community Centre, 151 Cadillac Avenue North, Oshawa, Ontario

Contact: Joe Rubel 905-728-4060 jrwrubel@rogers.com

The Oshawa Kinsmen have invited Ted Barris back for a fall stop. On Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, Barris returns, to talk about and present visuals from his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!.

Where: 420 Wing building, at Oshawa Airport (Stevenson Road)

When: 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013

Contact: Todd Doyle, 905-243-0703, tdoyle8603@sympatico.ca

On Wednesday, March 12, 2014, the Canadian Federation of University Women – Durham Region – has booked Ted Barris for a talk and visual presentation based on his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!.

When: 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 12, 2014.

Where: Kingsview United Church, Oshawa, Ontario.

Contact: Pat Boyd, CFUW speaker chair, 905-434-1609.

Earlier this fall, journalist/broadcaster Ted Barris interviewed fellow author Terry Fallis about his most recent book in front of an audience at the Whitby Public Library. On Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, Barris returns, to talk about his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!.

When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013.

Where: Whitby Public Library, 405 Dundas St. W., Whitby, Ontario.

Contact: Andrea Adair Tippins, 905-668-6531, aatippins@whitbylibrary.on.ca

Just in case you missed their talk at the Barbara Frum Library, earlier this week, Tyler Trafford and Ted Barris are repeating a joint presentation about their respective books on a near mythical story of the Second World War – The Great Escape. Over a luncheon, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, Barris and Trafford will speak at the main Toronto Public Library. Trafford’s new book Almost A Great Escape explores the love affair between his mother and Great Escaper Jens Muller. Meanwhile, Barris’s new book The Great Escape: A Canadian Story illustrates that the most famous mass breakout of POWs during the Second World War wasn’t full of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage.

When: 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013.

Where: Toronto Public Library, 789 Yonge St., Toronto.

Contact: Joseph Romain, Toronto Public Library, 416-395-5577,  jromain@torontopubliclibrary.ca

In a unique double-header, authors Ted Barris and Tyler Trafford team up to speak about their respective books on a near mythical story of the Second World War – The Great Escape. At 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, Barris and Trafford will speak at the Barbara Frum Library. Trafford’s new book Almost A Great Escape explores the love affair between his mother and Great Escaper Jens Muller. Meanwhile, Barris’s new book The Great Escape: A Canadian Story illustrates that the most famous mass breakout of POWs during the Second World War wasn’t full of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage.

When: 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013.

Where: Barbara Frum Library, 20 Covington Rd., Toronto.

Contact: Joseph Romain, Toronto Public Library, 416-395-5577, jromain@torontopubliclibrary.ca

For its final event of the 2012 season, the Newmarket Probus Club finishes with a bang. On Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013, the club has booked Ted Barris for a talk and visual presentation based on his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!.

When: 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013.

Where: Seton Hall, 17955 Leslie St., Newmarket, Ontario.

Contact: Richard Furlong, 905-853-4625, furlongrj@rogers.com

At its annual “Honour Our Veterans” Luncheon in 2011, the Askennonia Senior Centre featured a visit from historian/author Ted Barris. This year, on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, he returns, bringing a talk and visual presentation based on his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!.

When: Noon, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013.

Where: Askennonia Senior Centre, 527 Len Self Blvd., Midland, Ontario.

Contact: Judy Contin, executive director of Askennonia Senior Centre, 705-526-7609, jcontin@rogers.com

Last fall, the Simcoe County Historical Association featured a visit from historian/author Ted Barris. This year, teaming up with the Barrie Royal Canadian Legion, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, he returns, bringing a talk and visual presentation based on his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!.

When: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013.

Where: Barrie, Ontario.

Contact: Earl Elliott, 866-734-3600, earl.elliott@rogers.com