Lecture Speakers

Michael Palmer

Michael Palmer's passion for the Second World War began in his early teens when he first read the James Leasor book, Green Beach - about the Dieppe raid. Since then, his interest and study of this era span two decades. His fascination would ultimately lead him down a path where he would write Dark Side of the Sun - a book uncovering the mystery of his grandfather's horrific journey in Asia. 

This book was recently released in 2010 and has been featured in a few newspapers across Canada as well as the CBC national show "The Story From Here" - aside from a few regional CBC programs. In addition, his publisher (Borealis Press) has submitted his book for inclusion in the Governor General's Literary Awards.

Dark Side of the Sun explores the journey of his grandfather, George Thomas Palmer, and his comrades during the horror-filled battle of Hong Kong where Palmer and the other defenders were part of the first Canadian army units who engaged the Axis in the Second World War. In addition, Michael's book reveals the untold story of the Omine POW Camp where George and 165 Canadians endured terror and extreme hardships at the hands of the Japanese for 31 long months.

Michael is close to completing his second book which has already garnered interest in the publishing world - a 400-page fictitious tale (drama) entitled The Irish Fool. Set in the present, it follows the rocky relationship between an elderly man and a young man in his early twenties. Over time, with flashbacks to the French Resistance in WWII, revelations come to the surface leading to tragedy, validation, and life lessons.

Born in 1970 in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, and a graduate of Saint Francis Xavier University, Michael moved to Alberta in 1994 where he found employment within the oil & gas industry. He currently works in accounting/finance and resides in Calgary with his wife and three young children.

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