Kaiser Launches Book Tour for Social Activists and Map-Lovers

Ward Kaiser’s new book, How Maps Change Things, explains how maps are really about politics and the values we hold. He contends that we need to become aware of how we shape and use maps, and how they in turn shape us. Ultimately, it's about becoming aware of the "hidden meaning" and values behind the maps we use so we can reflect on and begin to create the kind of world we want. Kaiser takes an informed and passionate view of how maps influence the significant paths we humans pursue.

Toronto, Canada, October 23, 2013 --(PR.com)-- Speaker & activist Ward Kaiser kicks off his Book Tour for How Maps Change Things. Last week he spoke at two locations in his home province of Ontario: at a local Rotary club meeting and at the Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. This week, on Thursday, October 24th he’ll be at A Different Booklist, an alternative bookstore, at 746 Bathurst Street, Toronto Ontario, Canada M5S 2R6 from 6:30PM to 8:30PM. For details and directions contact the store at 416.538.0889 or Email: info@adifferentbooklist.com (Web: www.adifferentbooklist.com)

Elaine Kelly, president of the local Rotary in Grimsby, Ontario, Canada says, “It was a pleasure to have Ward Kaiser present to our Rotary@ Noon Club. He demonstrated how current issues, such as Israel/Palestinian strife, relate to the maps we have seen and used. His message connects to the Rotary Foundation's mission to advance world understanding, goodwill, and peace. The visual aspects of maps presented are powerful! You would never guess he was 90-years old when you hear him talk with passion about social justice issues, and the way maps can change our view of world. He made the issues relevant and local when he spoke about Native Land Claims in the Caledonia / Grand River area…near where our club meets…Everyone could relate to the message he shared.”

Kaiser was born in Ontario, lived for a time in France, and passed exams in five languages. Ward Kaiser still has trouble understanding one common word in English...retire. See his Dirty Dozen Surprises from the writing of How Maps Change Things at http://www.openbookontario.com/news/dirty_dozen_ward_kaiser.

Kaiser was featured in an article published by NIAGARA THIS WEEK

See: http://www.niagarathisweek.com/news-story/4030066-when-the-map-is-not-the-territory/

The online journal EXCHANGE featured a story about the Waterloo Seminary event to launch Kaiser’s book on how maps change the world and our perceptions of it. That event was hosted by Mark W. Harris, Director, Leadership in Ministry at Waterloo Lutheran Seminary. He says, “Kaiser is an excellent story-teller… his book launch event featured interesting and accessible real life examples of how perceptions created by maps help or hinder our prejudgements about the world. It was eye-opening to learn how maps can reflect theologies or political agendas that are not always obvious…Kaiser brought along an interesting variety of maps, demonstrated their underlying assumptions, and how they in turn shape our perceptions of the world we live in. He provided a helpful and valuable perspective, and one that is not readily available…even to those well-versed in geography.”

After these three Canadian events Kaiser, who holds dual USA and Canadian citizenship, heads to Florida with his wife, Lorraine, and is planning a series of events while based in the Orlando area.

Kaiser will have some help getting the word out about his new book, which was first published as an ebook by New Internationalist Magazine in 2012 for $9.99. The paperback edition (9”x12”, 160 pages) was published by Wood Lake Press of British Columbia in June of 2013 and is being distributed in the USA by ODTmaps for $31.95. Distributing the paperback to the faith-based market in the USA is Westminster John Knox. ODTmaps has a cadre of “map ambassadors” to help reach areas of North America that might not otherwise have an opportunity to see the maps, and hear the message of how maps can change the world we live in. Contact odtstore@odt.org to arrange local events for bookstores, colleges, community centers, or places of worship.

Media can contact ODT to interview the author or
to receive an ebook or hardcopy of How Maps Change Things
1-800-736-1293, 413-549-1293, odtstore@odt.org, or SKYPE at ODTinc

Ward Kaiser on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLm-hU0qd3k

Ward’s colleague, Art Bauer on YouTube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9tEI55GxY0
Discussing the faith-based origins of the Peters World Map

Sample chapters of the book are available for free download at:
http://www.odtmaps.com/detail.asp_Q_product_id_E_howmapschangethings_A_Contents=TAB4
Reviews are at:
http://www.odtmaps.com/detail.asp_Q_product_id_E_howmapschangethings_A_Contents=TAB2
Table of Contents:
http://www.odtmaps.com/detail.asp_Q_product_id_E_howmapschangethings_A_Contents=TAB3
An excerpt showing maps of Israel/Palestine is at:
http://pointlomadem.org/2013/06/11/mapping-for-peace-without-a-map/
And more detail on the book is at:
http://www.expertclick.com/NRWire/Releasedetails.aspx?id=45967
Background on the Peters Map, which Kaiser published, is at this URL:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osQN7aSQV9w
Contact
ODTmaps.com
Bob Abramms
800-736-1293
www.ODTmaps.com
Fax: 413-549-3503
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