**CANCELLATION**

Fellow skeptics,

It is with great regret that I must inform you that, due to the growing threat presented by COVID-19, I have decided to cancel the upcoming Friday, 13th March talk.

I did not make this decision lightly, but I did so out an abundance of caution as the safety of all participants at our talks is paramount.

I will endeavour to reschedule Mick Cook’s talk for later in the year. His podcasts can be found here – https://www.thedeadprussian.com/

At this stage, we will continue with the 11 April talk, but I will provide further advice regarding it prior to the talk.

I apologise for any inconvenience this may cause, but this a highly unusual situation.

Stay skeptical,

Kevin 

President – Canberra Skeptics

Canberra Skeptics proudly presents:

Winning Westeros: How Game of Thrones Explains Modern Military Conflict

Date: Friday, 13 March 2020
Time: 6:00 to 7:30pm
Speaker: Mick Cook
Venue: Room 2, Belconnen Community Service, 26 Chandler Street, Belconnen ACT 2616
Cost: Free

Set in the fictitious world of Westeros, the hit television series Game of Thrones chronicles the bitter and violent struggle between the realm’s noble dynasties for control of the Seven Kingdoms. But this beloved fantasy drama has just as much to say about the successful strategies and real-life warfare waged in our own time and place. Winning Westeros brings together more than thirty of today’s top military and strategic experts, including generals and admirals, policy advisors, counterinsurgency tacticians, science fiction and fantasy writers, and groundlevel military officers, to explain the strategy and art of war by way of the Game of Thrones saga.

Each chapter of Winning Westeros provides a relatable, outsidethebox way to simplify and clarify the complexities of modern military conflict. A chapter on the doomed butcher’s boy whom Arya Stark befriends by World War Z author Max Brooks poignantly reminds us of the cruel fate that civilians face during times of war. Another chapter on Jaqen H’ghar and the faceless men of Bravos explores the pivotal roles that stealth and intelligence play in battle. Whether considering the diplomatic prowess of Tyrion Lannister, the defiant leadership style of Daenerys Targaryen, the Battle of the Bastards and the importance of reserves, Brienne of Tarth and the increased role of women in combat, or dragons as weapons of mass destruction, Winning Westeros gives fans of Game of Thrones and aspiring military minds alike an inspiring and entertaining means of understanding the many facets of modern warfare. It is a book as captivating and enthralling as Game of Thrones itself.
Mick Cook is an Australian writer and digital content producer. He is passionate about strategic communication and connecting people with information. He started Mick Cook Strategic Communication to help organisations connect with their audience and establish meaningful relationships.

Mick’s creative work focuses professional development for military personnel and public servants. He is a non-resident fellow at the Modern War Institute at West Point, in this role he is using strategic communication theory to support self-guided learning programs.

In 2019 Mick won the Futuro Sessional Academic award for teaching in the undergraduate program at the University of Canberra. Mick taught on the Credible Communication course that provided students with an understanding of the theory behind media production as well as practical experience in producing news media.

Mick spent 18 years in the Australian Regular Army. During his time in service he fulfilled roles in information warfare, strategic communication and sensitive issue management.

Dinner will follow the lecture (venue TBC). To RSVP for the dinner, please email canberraskeptics@gmail.com.
Canberra Skeptics Inc. is a non-profit association incorporated in the Australian Capital Territory for the purpose of promoting critical thinking. For further information about Canberra Skeptics, please visit our website: http://www.canberraskeptics.org
Social Media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CanberraSkeptics/
Twitter: @cbrskeptics

Event announcements:
Meetup: https://www.meetup.com/en-AU/SocialSkepticsCanberra/
Eventbrite: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/o/canberra-skeptics-18628458762