The Most Traveled Man on Earth by Lew Toulmin

Cool Lectures Lew Can Give Based on the Book Lectures and talks are 20-45 minutes long, and can be shortened or lengthened. Lew has a laptop, Powerpoint slides, an LCD projector, a portable screen (3x2 feet) and some great, entertaining stories to tell. Here are his standard talks: The Most Traveled Man on Earth Who is the most traveled man? Woman? What are the “rules”? What travel wisdom and tips do the most travel people have that will help us in our travels? What adventures has the author had in chasing the most traveled men? Includes details on the search for the real “Bali Hai,” the Great Race (classic cars across America), and the real Knights Templar. More Mutinies on the Bounty After the end of the movie and the burning of HMS Bounty, (the most famous mutiny in history) everyone lived happily ever after on Pitcairn Island, right? Wrong! This talk describes the other mutinies, the murders, the coups d’etat, the drunken falling off of cliffs, and the current sex scandal that could destroy the tiny South Pacific island—or make it into the world’s newest and smallest country. The Search for Brian Boru— High King of All Ireland Brian Boru was King of Ireland in the year 1000, and is often called the greatest Irishman of all time. Yet he is little known in the US. Lew goes on a quest to find Brian’s amazing story (how he ejected the Vikings from Ireland, almost united the country, began the first surnames, etc) and what traces of him remain in Ireland today. The Great Race 100 classic cars ranging in age from 1910 to 1968 rally 4000 miles across the US. Lew and Susan Toulmin drive their 1968 “Bullitt” Mustang through 100 degree heat (and with no air-conditioning) through 14 states in a time-speed-distance rally (not breaking the speed limit) in a quest for a $60,000 prize, or at least an “Ace” sticker for a perfect leg. Lots of pics of incredibly beautiful classic cars. The World’s Greatest Disasters and Top Ten Myths of Disasters The greatest disasters to have affected humanity are outlined, and compared to recent events such as Hurricane Katrina, the Indian Ocean tsunami, etc. The top disaster myths are also discussed, including: “Government officials will rescue the stranded,” “All fast disaster relief is good relief,” “Cordons are useful,” and “Natural disasters cause suffering on a random basis.” Crimes Against History and Genealogy The world’s worst crimes in this area are reviewed, including: falsification of millions of family records in Burma, destruction of Southern courthouses by General Sherman and by the CSA, who destroyed the Great Royal Library at Alexandria, Egypt?, how the IRA destroyed the genealogy of Ireland, and who the worst genealogical criminal of all time was. The Duggar Family of Virginia and Alabama Gives a fascinating description of an American family and its genealogy from the Revolution to the present. Of interest to Duggars but also to persons who want to see what can be done to enliven and create a colorful Powerpoint briefing about their family history. (This lecture draws on parts of the section in the book on “Adventures in Genealogy,” but the Duggar descent is not included in the book.) Improving Telecommunications Performance in Less Developed Countries This lecture focuses on improving telecoms performance via privatization, increasing competition, and setting up well-organized telecom regulatory bodies in less developed countries. The advantages and disadvantages of privatization are discussed. This section is followed by a four step process for ensuring that national telecom goals are met by the privatization and sector reform. (This is the only lecture not derived from the book The Most Traveled Man on Earth.)