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.