Bernard Patterson was a decorated Vietnam War veteran who got away with $177,000 in a 1971 bank robbery in his hometown of Mars Hill, and then escaped to Europe to live the high life on the proceeds until he was caught 11 months later. Topsham author Ron Chase tells the story of Patterson’s controversial and daring life in a new book, "The Great Mars Hill Bank Robbery."

The book relates not only the story of the robbery and its follow-up, but Patterson’s experiences in Vietnam, where he volunteered for dangerous duty as a “tunnel rat,” and his subsequent struggles with post traumatic stress disorder and alcohol. Patterson died in 2003.

Author Chase will discuss Patterson’s life beginning at 5 p.m., Wednesday Sept. 28 at the Wiscasset Public Library, 21 High Street.

This is one of a series of three talks scheduled at the library in coming weeks. On Wednesday Oct. 12, also at 5 p.m., organizational habits expert Janie Downey Maxwell will present her program, Organizational Zen. From big projects to everyday tasks, Janie can help you bring organizational peace into your life.

And on Wednesday, Oct. 26 at 5, Hank Lunn will tell the story of the World War II German prisoners held at the U.S. Army base in Houlton, who volunteered to work on his father’s potato farm in Littleton in Aroostook County. Lunn’s talk is entitled “German Prisoners of War in Maine: From Foe to Friend.”

There is no charge for admission to the talks. Light refreshments will be available.