YOU MAY NOT LIKE CONRAD BLACK BUT YOU HAVE TO RESPECT HIM.

My Wife, Jean O'Byrne Dwyer  and I were sitting at the bar in the main floor lounge of the Chateau Laurier Hotel in Ottawa ( One of my favorite bars) a few years ago, enjoying a libation when I noticed a copy of Conrad Black's new book a few feet away. I inquired with the bartender how it came to be there, as he was in a jail in Florida. It seems the evening before a nonfiction book award had been held in the very place and copies of all five of the nominee's books including Mr. Black's were available to the attendees. Some were left behind.

I had been reading his columns in the National Post, which he wrote each Saturday from Jail and was so impressed with his candor that I e-mailed him at his address which was at the foot of the column; cbletters@gmail.com. Not long after he replied, much to my surprise. He thanked me for my comments and encouragement. He could have easily run home to Britain or Canada and down faced the mean American legal system but he remained unbowed and unrepentant. I immediately pulled out my iPhone and emailed Conrad Black; "I am sitting at the Bar in the Chateau Laurier, having a drink with my wife and your new book is on the bar from last nights non-fiction awards presentation, which I am sure you were made aware of." I hoped he found the note comforting from his jail cell, knowing he was still in play in Ottawa. He wrote back shortly and thanked me again for the news.

I felt he had been railroaded, at best, but that's the thing about Conrad Black. He taunted his accusers as they drafted a case around his expenses, which is, as a great friend and lawyer once told me; They always go after the expenses because it's so easy to manipulate. You either like or hate Conrad. And he's not easy to like especially from a distance but you have to respect his honor, toughness and resolve. And if you don't, your sense of fairness needs adjusting.

I followed his trial as closely as possible and was astonished how he had held his ground and maintained his familiar demeanor and dignity. I was waiting for it to falter especially when he was convicted and sentenced but he didn't show it. Oh I think in his quietest moments, late at night, alone in that bunk he asked the question; Lord why have you forsaken me?

From jail, good reports abounded about his kindness, encouragement and the classes he offered his fellow inmates. And he soldiered on, won an important Supreme Court appeal (itself no easy job), was released for a short time until his judge  Amy St Eve re-sentenced him for a shorter time, just for good American measure.

On May 4 2012 at 67 years of age Conrad left jail and returned to Canada. He had served 42 months of an original 72 month sentence. The amount of cash he was supposed to have squandered, reduced and made to look almost silly, given his job the size of his company and earning power.

Around that time my sons Patrick and Jon were looking to restart their well liked, private, speaker series; 'Discussions at the Bistro' and as Jon was a friend of the owner  and chef of Spendido restaurant in Toronto,  Chef Barry they agreed to hold it there and Jon asked me if I could write and ask Conrad Black if he would be the first speaker. After some negotiating he agreed (Spendido is a favorite of his and his wife, Barbara Amiel).

The series featured a fine 3 course dinner with great wines and then, the guest speaker was introduced by Jon. In lieu of a fee, everyone of the 80 diners would get a signed copy of his new book. The evening sold out in a day.

I was excited to finally meet Lord Conrad Black and he was a delight. Friendly, engaging, funny and after a long Q&A and some great food and wine and his talk, he held back and sat down with us for a quiet drink and chat in the empty restaurant. My only disappointment was his famous, smart wife Barbara Amiel was a no show.