“We view our role of lecturer to be that of raconteurs of well-researched, intriguing and authentic stories, based on major historic events or people. Our goal and passion is to inform and entertain a sophisticated audience, by using hundreds of pictures and numerous audio-visual documents in each presentation.
Richard René Silvin is a historian and lecturer, who has created a library of over 25 lectures. These include the subjects of his books on the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Addison Mizner, and the SS Normandie. In addition, he focuses on famous women with whom he had personal connections, like Marlene Dietrich, Elizabeth Taylor and Audrey Hepburn.
Robert Versteeg’s extensive knowledge about music guides his topics to be oriented towards pop icons. His background as a performing artist guides Silvin Books’ mission to bring full-rounded performances to audiences.
Lecture Topics
Published Works Available For Purchase
All That Glitters Is Not Gold
the Tragic Story of the Most Majestic Liner
Villa Mizner, The House That Changed Palm Beach
The Duchess of Windsor as I Knew Her
All that glitters is not gold
See what people are saying…
March 2021:
Thank you for the “heads up!” The program was SPECTACULAR! Circum Silvin was excellent and very authentic! Having been a ships officer in my early life, it brought back fond memories! CIRCUMNEWS at its best.
I wanted you to know that I finished reading your book on The Normandie and found it to be a most informative, engaging and delightful read. The story is tragically compelling, particularly as the denouement all occurred as the world and the behavior of officials deteriorated relentlessly around her. So very sad, and so completely avoidable. I thought the third segment from the perspective of the ship was a tour de force. I cannot wait to hear the lecture where I am sure you bring the story to life
You wove a trilling seaman’s yarn and kept my attention throughout the read. Bravo. Not only do you tell the story and put in the context of world affairs, but your eloquent words also reflect the majesty and mystery of this Grande Dame of transatlantic travel. The book’s blue cover reflects the Blue Riband which she did win, bringing glory, all be it transitory, to France and the Compagnie Générale Transatlantique. Your book, in turn, should receive a blue ribbon!
I loved the third section of the book when the great ship spoke to me directly. What a novel way to tell part of the story.
Thank you to Richard Silvin to show and tell in an exuberant chronology. Nothing dry or un-interesting. What a skill!! (…) and I learned so much in so little time. Again, thanks to Richard’s talent in human archaeology…digging up the facts. All in all, a perfect evening of a life we can look back on. (Marjorie Merriweather Post) was a pillar of a human being.