At 7:00 pm
In this presentation, you’ll hear the astonishing true story of history’s largest manmade explosion before the atomic bomb and its world-changing aftermath, from acclaimed New York Times bestselling author John U. Bacon. He will tell the story of tragedy and heroism most Haligonians know, but from a fresh perspective, framing it in the context of US-Canadian relations, and introducing new characters based on original research. He will also explain how he was drawn to the subject, and why it’s important that both Canadians and Americans remember the lessons of how good people respond to a crisis, both individually and collectively.
ADVANCE PRAISE FOR THE GREAT HALIFAX EXPLOSION
“The most destructive moment of World War I occurred far from the Western Front, in Canada, where an explosion blew a city apart but propelled two nations together. John Bacon, a superbly talented historian and story teller, has rescued from obscurity an astonishing episode of horror and heroism.”
-George F. Will, Pulitzer-Prize winning Syndicated Columnist
“John U. Bacon's The Great Halifax Explosion is the seminal account of one of the bloodiest man-made disasters in world history, which killed some 2,000 people. This is a riveting, well-written and researched World War I book. Highly recommended!”
-Douglas Brinkley, New York Times Bestselling author of Cronkite
ABOUT JOHN
John U. Bacon is the author of five New York Times bestsellers, including his most recent book, Playing Hurt: My Journey from Despair to Hope, which he coauthored with ESPN’s John Saunders, a native Canadian. Bacon, whose family hails from New York and New Brunswick, appears often on National Public Radio and national television in the United States, freelances for The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, and The Washington Post, and teaches at the University of Michigan. He lives in Ann Arbor, with his wife and son.