“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.

NEW THIS SEASON:

Céline Dion – One in a Million

Katharine Hepburn
Talented, Stylish & Spirited

Barbra Streisand
From A Funny Girl,
A Star Is Born

Lecture Topics

ELIZABETH TAYLOR

FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT

PRINCESS GRACE

AUDREY HEPBURN

PRINCESS MARGARET

MARLENE DIETRICH

ADDISON MIZNER

CONCORDE

A History of Palm Beach Architecture

THE DUCHESS OF WINDSOR

The History of Transatlantic Ocean Liner Travel

FAMOUS TRAGEDIES AT SEA

SS NORMANDIE

JACQUELINE KENNEDY-ONASSIS

MAR-A-LAGO

MARJORIE MERRIWEATHER POST

MARILYN MONROE

CHRISTINA ONASIS

ANN WOODWARD

EDITH PIAF

PRINCESS ALICE

BARBARA HUTTON

SUNNY von BÜLOW

Published Works Available For Purchase

I Survived Swiss Boarding Schools:
All That Glitters Is Not Gold

Normandie,
the Tragic Story of the Most Majestic Liner

Villa Mizner :
Villa Mizner, The House That Changed Palm Beach

Noblesse Oblige:
The Duchess of Windsor as I Knew Her

Walking The Rainbow:
All that glitters is not gold

See what people are saying…

Click Here To Read More Reviews

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.

Member of the Palm Beach Circumnavigators Club

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

Reader of “Normandie"

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.

Reader of “Normandie"

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.

Attendee to virtual lecture about Marjorie Merriweather Post