Along the highways, byways and frequent cul de sacs of a very chequered career Neil has also been an Oxford graduate, a plasterer's mate, a door-to door salesman, a holiday camp redcoat, an art gallery director, and simultaneously a rugby league commentator and an art critic - a combination he's pretty confident is unique. He's been the editor of the drinker’s bible, The Good Beer Guide, and the owner of the highest pub in Britain - within a week of taking it over his locals had re-christened him 'Basil' after a well-known Torquay hotelier - and has also found time to travel round the world twice, edit an assortment of obscure magazines, make a couple of television films, write two screenplays, be a radio broadcaster in Britain, Australia and New Zealand, and write for every British national newspaper and for media around the world

His books have been acclaimed by everyone from critics on the Sunday Times and the New York Times to Andy McNab, and in addition to his popular histories, biographies and travel books, he's also written thrillers that have been described as making 'Donnie Brasco look like Noel's House Party' and 'reminiscent of Dick Francis at his very best', though rather more worryingly, he says, they've also been called 'as good as anything written by Jeffrey Archer'.

An award winning after-dinner speaker, he has spoken at every type of occasion - corporate events, conferences, festivals, dinners and banquets - throughout the UK and in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Auckland, Wellington, Dubai and New York. He has also made regular appearances on television and radio in Britain, the USA, Australia and New Zealand.

‘We have had such positive feedback from those that attended and nearly all mentioned your speech and how much they enjoyed it. My husband was laughing so much he was nearly crying! Having picked your name almost "out of a hat" via the internet, I realise now what a good choice I made!’ Sandy Rysiok, Society of Municipal Treasurers

‘It was a joy to have you with us for the day... your presentation drew raves.’ Eli Paul, Director, National World War I Museum, Kansas City

'You were awesome.' Thomas Power, Chairman, ecademy, London.

'I would like to thank you for being a wonderful after dinner speaker. Your humour, wit and entertaining ability all conspired to keep a very diverse audience entranced. You also managed to inform, be serious and left everyone wanting more from you, a rare gift.' Janet Munro, Soroptimist International

'Neil Hanson is a captivating speaker.' Centre for Forensic Science, Sydney

‘A wonderful speech, thank you.’ Audience member, D-Day Museum, New Orleans

‘The best - and the best-received - of all the 100 events we have put on here.’ Ed Tracy, Executive Director, The Pritzker Military Library, Chicago

‘Just wanted to thank you for a great event here last month. I have lost count of the number of people who came up and said to me “I see you saved the best till last”. It was absolutely compelling and you really had the audience with you all the way.’ Rachel Feldberg, Director, Ilkley Festival

'The best public speaker I've ever heard.' Audience member, Borders, Charing Cross Road, London

Best Speaker (vote by audience members). Brisbane Festival

‘Neil Hanson offered the audience a great display of verbal pyrotechnics.’ Sydney Festival

'A vivid, engrossing, witty and very entertaining speech. You saw for yourself how well it went down with our audience.' University of Perth, Western Australia

'My husband was literally crying with laughter.' Audience member, Melbourne

‘Thank you so much - your talk was brilliant.’ Meriel Jeater, Curator, Museum of London

'A spellbinding talk. Thank you.' New Zealand Book Council, Wellington

'Neil Hanson is an extraordinarily lucid, compelling and interesting speaker, mixing the personal and factual in a very beguiling way. I hugely enjoyed his talk and can't recommend him highly enough.' Simon Winder, Publishing Director, Penguin Books

'You were a star, everyone really enjoyed listening to you.' Yorkshire Post Luncheon

‘Your talk was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone; a truly professional presentation.’ Rotary International, Ilkley

‘We're gratified by the size of the audiences, their attentiveness and their positive response... Once again, thank you for making it an extraordinary experience!’ Peter Kuntz, Chicago Humanities Festival

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