Against the Grain: Defiant Giants Who Changed the World

by Terry O'Reilly

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.

Genres: Nonfiction, Audiobook

Audible Audio

Published October 14, 2025

About the author

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.

Reviews

[Timothy Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent book but felt like the summary of alot of wikipedia articles that were tangetially related to the theme

[Janet Hutchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will read almost anything he writes. And this book encompasses not only ad-writers, but Taylor Swift, sports people, and Gustave Eiffel. Great writing and excellent stories. I do love listening to him on the radio, or in person.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sports section didn't really interest me, but the rest is a fascinating collection of stories about people disrupting conventional wisdom, told in Terry O'Reilly's signature warm & concise style. A really effortless, pleasant & informative read.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting stories of people in all walks of life who went against conventional wisdom and succeeded.

[Annie’s Daddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A rather breezy book about people whom found success by thinking outside the box.
About a dozen plus chapters profiling people like Justin Trudeau, Norman Leer, Williams sisters, etc.
This book is nothing special it feels like a rather mediocre podcast (which is no wonder writer Terry Reilly hosts a few very good podcasts),
But if you want something non-fiction and breezy you could do much worse.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Terry, O'Reilly has a wonderful style on his radio show, Under the Influence, and this book continues with that same style, with fascinating stories about really unexpected people and their really unexpected accomplishments. It's subtitle is Defiant Giants Who Changed the World, and that's an apt description. Under the categories of entertainment, business and industry, politics, science and medicine, and sports, Terry finds people who ignore conventional wisdom, and who find better ways to accomplish things that have been done the same way forever. And of course, the world that is used to the old ways scoffs at them, and worse, sometimes denies them advancement, tenure, any kind of respect. These people continue to know that they are right, and push for the best way of doing things.

I love this book so much that every time I started a chapter, I would read it to my husband, and he always wanted to hear it. And the real proof of how much I loved it is that I enjoyed the part about sports, which is something I have absolutely no interest in. But for an example, you might be an interested in a father who decided, before his daughters were born, that he wanted them to be tennis stars. Did he know anything about tennis? No! Did he do everything possible before they were born and then once they were born to educate them, encourage them, discipline them to become tennis stars? Well, do you recognize the names of Serena Williams and Venus Williams?

I urge you to read this wonderful book. It is fascinating, and encouraging. Just what we need right now!

[Neil Kaarsemaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy Terry O'Reilly for his radio program and podcast, Under the Influence. He is a skilled story teller and has a flair for marketing and the power of advertising. He also has a keen sense for the human condition. I have enjoyed his book on defiant giants who changed the world. They include people from various walks of life. Entertainment, business and industry, politics, science and medicine and sports. There is one persons story whose story does not measure up to the standard of others he profiles. That is under the category of politics and Justin Trudeau. His focus on Mr. Trudeau relates to his first election victory in 2015. While Mr. Trudeau lead the Liberal party to an unlikely victory in that election through a creative and slogan filled campaign centered on the theme "Sunny Ways", his record in office as Prime Minister was less impressive. He enjoyed the status of media darling for his youth and energy and seemingly refreshing approach to leadership. As the months and years passed, it became obvious that Justin Trudeau was more style than substance. He celebrated having a gender balanced cabinet and then proceeded to undermine and quash any of those strong and capable women he selected when they chose to disagree with him. I do believe history will recall Justin Trudeau as the leader who promised Sunny Ways and delivered dark skies. The remainder of the book is excellent and well worth reading.

[Ashleigh Mattern · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kept trying to figure out the message of this book, like what can I learn from it, what is the takeaway? About halfway through, I realized there isn't really a message or takeaway, but I can just enjoy these interesting stories about interesting people. If you like the CBC radio show Under the Influence, you'll probably like this book by Terry O'Reilly. His storytelling style and voice are strong, so it feels like an extension of his show, albeit beyond just marketing. There are marketing stories, too, of course! I was less impressed with some of the early days of marketing stories — it seems to me that it might be easy to become a giant in marketing when there are only 24 marketing companies in all of America. I run a web design company and have 100 competitors in my city; tell me how to stand out in that environment, and I'll be interested. Complaints aside, there are some interesting stories here, and it's an easy read.

[Richard L. · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, torn between rounding up and rounding down.

The individuals in this book are fascinating, important if not literal world changers - not an exaggeration - and thus more than worthy of inclusion.

The book itself is fine. Basically a collection of magazine articles or longform essays, each chapter profiles a different person.

Some chapters are longer than others.

A few of the shorter profiles feel (unsurprisingly) superficial yet they somehow read longer.

In a similar paradox, several of the more extensive profiles actually could have gone deeper, given the global and/or historic significance of their subjects. (Most obviously, the woman who was instrumental to the development of the Covid vaccine.)

So, a book about incredible people, well researched and competently written.

[Care · Rating 5 out of 5]

Against the Grain by Terry O’Reilly is an incredibly inspiring read that shows how breaking the rules can lead to massive success. O’Reilly uses his deep knowledge of marketing to tell fascinating stories about people and companies who dared to think differently, even when everyone else told them they were wrong. The book is written in a very friendly and easy-to-understand way, making complex business ideas feel like simple, everyday common sense. It’s the perfect pick for anyone who needs a little boost of courage to trust their own instincts and try something new. By the end, you’ll feel motivated to stop following the crowd and start finding your own unique path.

[Jim Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looks at people who bucked the system. People who knew that an existing practice or wisdom was wrong and the efforts that they had to go through to convince others. The stories are fascinating. Everything from the person who fought hard to get doctors to wash their hands - ultimately saving millions of lives, to the woman who developed RNA vaccines saving, again, millions of lives during the pandemic, to Richard Williams struggles to support his daughters Venus and Serena.

The stories are well researched and well written. This is an excellent book.

[Teegan Nordstrom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had some interesting stories throughout but I agree with the “reads like a summary of a bunch of Wikipedia articles.” I know Terry O’Reilly has a background in advertising, but the amount of content on advertising giants was a lot. And just the amount of facts thrown at you was tough to digest. Took me forever to finish the book just due to the density of information. I still took away some interesting tidbits but could have been half as long, or maybe just needed to be more narrative and less Wikipedia-y.

[Sandy Tulloch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terry O’Reilly is a national treasure, I love his writing, his CBC shows and his insight. I was wasn’t expecting this to be such an inspiring page turner. Every chapter profiles a different, often famous individual who overcame tremendous odds and adversity to reach the heights of their fields. I did not want it to end.

[Caitlin Foisy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I originally thought this would be only marketing stories and was pleasantly surprised to discover it covered many other facets such as sports, politics etc. Great stories with interesting insights. And love to hear anything read by Terry!

[Beverly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This rating is probably mostly because I enjoy his CBC radio show. Otherwise there wasn't much here that was new to me. The writing was good and the stories were wide-ranging, but I didn't read them all...

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some uplifting stories-very enjoyable read

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Best read in Terry O'Reilly's voice like an episode of Under The Influence.

[Steven Beningo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a mixed bag. Some chapters, like the one on Dick Fosbury were excellent, other chapters were just so-so.

[Rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fabulous insightful read. Certainly gives you a better perspective and appreciation of what these people went through to affect some sort of change.

[Barb.hutchinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Incredible stories that changed lives. Each one more compelling than the last. A treasure to read from Gustav Eiffel to Taylor Swift and so many more.

[Kim Horton · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75