Reviews

“The fact that René shared meeting Audrey Hepburn and discussing his prep school on the plane with her, made it even more interesting.” “It didn’t even feel like the lecture was an hour..that’s how mesmerized we were.”

My very dear Rene:
It would be an understatement to say that you and Robert lifted all of us up today, your lecture and charm an antidote to the darkness of our current world.  We are all scared,  not exactly ourselves, many depressed and you lit up the room!

René and Robert,
I have been trying to think of accolades that are not cliché sounding. “Hitting it out of the park” and “bringing down the house” would be two examples of what I could say about your presentation…I am still, after five days, getting comments about your “fabulosity.” Now there it is…an original word. You could hear a pin drop.

René,
On behalf of the Royal Palm Women’s Club, I want to thank you and Robert for all your remarkable efforts to orchestrate a fabulous event on the Four Lives of Jackie O. We have received only positive feedback on the wonderful and detailed presentation.

Dear René,
Thank you for your important part in our film honoring the history and the future of the theater. We look forward to seeing you again and for your constant support.

Dear Mr Silvin,
Thank you so much for your excellent history of Palm Beach preservation, which our Questers members thoroughly enjoyed. I have heard from many of our members who raved about the information, which you made come alive.

Dear Robert and René,
Thank you so much!! Your attention to detail and beautifully presented and entertaining presentation was so very much appreciated. You got rave reviews from our Dames!

O noble Rene, whose tongue doth dance with the grace of a thousand swans, thy speech did unfold like a Shakespearean sonnet, each word a delicate petal in a garden of linguistic splendor. Though the digital sprites did play mischievous tricks, thy resolve didst shine like the sun breaking through yon stormy clouds.

“I absolutely found your lecture on Elizabeth Taylor to be riveting and beautifully documented, with the videos from her various movies.”

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

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. 

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.

Thanks so much for a wonderful presentation. Many of our members commented on how much they loved it. Whatever you do is always a highlight of our year. For so many of our members, you are their favorite speaker. You outdid yourself with  “Marlene Dietrich”. Thank you for coming into our homes with your warmth and helping to distract and entertain us with another fabulous program. Please stay safe and well. Happy Holidays!

“What a wonderful presentation. René is such an engaging speaker.”
“I have travelled on the Concorde several times. It brought back many happy memories.”
“You swept me away from my kitchen and lifted me skyward, above the clouds on that astounding aircraft. I rubbed elbows with glamorous celebrities, and indulged in lobster and champagne on Concorde.”
“Outstanding presentation René. Thank you.”

The most compelling part of this talk for me was René’s mentioning the sensations associated with the Concorde. The reference to the limited interior space and the description of the feelings on landing and taking off were truly unique. Since my work involves experiencing space, these topics resonated with me. It brought a different slant to a description of an airplane interior. Like all of René’s subjects, he brings interest to things I often had not explored before and gives a taste of history.

Just a quick note to let you know how much I enjoyed watching your presentation on the Life and work of Addison Mizner. I know that others did too. I certainly learned a lot about Addison Mizner and his times.
You obviously put in a lot of work preparing your presentation and it certainly came across. Thank you.)

The Concorde presentation was absolutely fabulous!!!!!!  What a joy……I learned so much about this amazing feat of technology.  What a great life experience to have flown so many times.
This presentation was the sonic boom of presentations–I’m speechless it was so very wonderful.  Thank you for sharing it with us.
 

As usual you were both wonderful. I received a million emails, phone calls and text messages thanking me for arranging this terrific program. I really feel both of you should have gotten them as you were the true stars. You are the most pleasant and easiest to work with out of all our speakers. Thank both of you for being the way you are. I hope to be able to work with you {hopefully in person}  soon.

What a fabulous zoom – one of the best I’ve been on since the pandemic began.  A pleasure to watch.

Rene gave us depth, history ands personal touch to the architecture and to Palm Beach.

Thanks!!

Ron and I really enjoyed the Normandie lecture. Great visuals and interesting stories. Thank you for bringing Richard  Silvin to us.

WOW!! Your presentation was fabulous and everyone loved it. It was a new topic for us but it was so well received and we have received quite a few note about it. I am so grateful that Tammy connected us and we appreciate your energy, time and enthusiasm.

As we continue our virtual programming (TBD) we will for sure keep you in the front of our minds for a repeat performance!

You were such a pleasure to work with and made it so easy and seamless for our events team.

I thoroughly enjoyed your book, and far from being negative on Rosey, I found it accurate, engaging and almost an homage to the unique institution.

Many attendees at your presentation in early December have raved to me that it was probably the most interesting and most visually professional presentation ever to come to our lovely island. I especially appreciated your taking the extra step to tie the presentation to a slice of the Fellowship’s Mission Statement. I just wanted to let yo know how special your team is.

Dear Rene,
I am counting the days until your arrival at Ventfort Hall. Everyone is so excited to have you return.  We are all looking forward to being enthralled by your presentation regarding the tragic story of the grand ocean liner, the Normandie.  I am certain that it will be another blockbuster presentation by you and Robert.

I read I Survived Swiss Boarding Schools all at once because I just couldn’t put it down. As I began reading the darkness that was Richard Rene’s childhood at La Clairiere, I was there with him and wanted to protect him against the abuse he was experiencing as a result of his parents blithely entrusting him to an institution they had not researched. As I continued reading, it was with a sigh of relief that I witnessed his transfer to Le Rosey. As I finished the book and reflected on my experience reading it, I was amazed by just how deeply I had been moved by the painful depths of a small child’s fears to his unbelievable heights of success as a man. I cheered his triumph. 

A charming book that covers the life of the Duchess and aims to cut away at all the myths that surround her. The author, Richard Rene Silvin, was acquainted with her later in her life. His memories of her add an intimate quality to this book, not found in others. Readers will find that the Duchess led an interesting life, without the fabled rumors. I appreciate history to be told in a straightforward, no-nonsense fashion and Silvin succeeds in that.

It was really a pleasure to have you two back at Bellaggio. René, you grace our ballroom with a touch of class as well as being such a talented speaker. The residents so enjoyed the lecture on the “SS Normandie” and, of course, they want you back for more. On behalf of Bellaggio, we thank you both and wish you continued success.

Wonderful book and certainly a must have for those of us who love and can’t get enough of Normandie. Mr. Silvin tells part of this book through the eyes of Normandie herself, as if she were the storyteller. Also some conversations of persons aboard her which transport the reader to being a participant onboard rather than just a reader of another book. Beautifully presented with quality paper and printing. Well, well worth the price. It’s easy to see this book as a labor of love by Rene’ Silvin. A sincere thank you to Mr. Silvin for giving us this new look at the most beautiful ship ever to sail.

I received this book as a gift and I love it. The story of the home is completely enjoyable and the facts (people, places, architecture) are made even more interesting by the perspective of how the story of Villa Mizner is told – I won’t give away too much, but it’s a fun read. The images are georgous and this beautiful book will remain on my coffee table front and center for a very long time, as i enjoy going back to my favorite images and guests love the story and history of this well told story.

I would like to say that Mr. Richard René Silvin is a brilliant author. His “Walking the Rainbow” was a very easy read with clarity on subjects that would take an MD degree to understand. His journey has not been an easy one, I could feel the emotional impact through his words. Of course there were lighter moments, where I was amused & laughed to myself. However, the love that Mr. Silvin felt for his partners & his sincere care were written so beautifully that I felt the words jump off the pages. Hats off to Mr. Silvin for writing a book that left an everlasting impression.