<p>All “British Royal watchers” and Windsor aficionados know about the only voluntary abdication in British history when, on December 10, 1936, the handsome, young, beloved King Edward Vlll handed over his three hundred twenty-five day reign to his brother; who, on that foggy night, became King George Vl. The famous abdication speech, delivered in a radio address to the nation, contained the memorable words “I cannot undertake the heavy burden of state without the love and support of the woman I love” and became one of the era’s most repeated phrases. The historic act catapulted the relatively obscure, twice-divorced Wallis Simpson to international fame as she became both demonized and intriguing. Within weeks and in an unprecedented act, Time Magazine named Mrs. Simpson the first “Woman of the Year.” Now, twenty-five years after the Duchess of Windsor’s death, the first personal description of the legendary lady is available. Readers of Noblesse Oblige, the Duchess of Windsor as I knew her by Richard Rene Silvin will learn intimate details of the Duchess as Silvin refutes most of the defamatory and scurrilous rumors which surrounded the legendary lady and which, she herself, abhorred but never discussed. The Duchess of Windsor Silvin describes is anything but the detached, cold ruthless, superficial lady history has heretofore portrayed. Instead, readers will “meet” a clever, funny, profound and loving woman. Noblesse Oblige begins in 1973, when the-then twenty-five year old author was appointed by US AID, a branch of the State Department, to restructure a famous Parisian hospital, which was the lonely, recently widowed Duchess’ only charity and reputed to be the sole beneficiary of her estate. In keeping with her largely unrecognized tradition of charity work, the Duchess took it upon herself to study the inner workings – and intrigues - of a modern hospital. She took a keen interest in Silvin who would become her protégée and certainly the object of her final, well thought out public battle. Noblesse Oblige’s readers are also exposed to a researched history of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor beginning with their early lives and which follows them to their deaths. The book contains newly revealed details of the Duke’s peaceful demise, in May of 1972, when he serenely passed away in his Paris home, surrounded by his completely devoted Duchess, competent nurses, favorite Pug, Black Diamond, and treasured items. Sadly, and in stark contrast, Silvin describes the Duchess’ decade-long illness during which, in an undiagnosed form of dementia, she gradually lost control of her arms and legs, was inhumanely kept alive for six years, slowly isolated from friends, stripped of her dignity and even her nurturing child-substitutes – her dogs. The book both begins and ends with vivid and detailed descriptions of the hospital Board of Governor’s meetings where a still keen-minded Duchess brilliantly strategizes to save the author from being terminated. In her own words, quoted in the book’s first chapter (“God knows I can appreciate being the victim of a plot!”) she embarks on her last quest for what she thought was justice. As the story reaches its climax and wearing her chalcedony sapphire jewelry, which she claimed “has mystical powers to assist us” she uses the tragic death of Aristotle Onassis to further her agenda while quoting the motto of the highly revered British “Most Noble Order of the Garter” Honi soit qui mal y pense (Shame on those with evil thoughts.) Noblesse Oblige (another one of the Duchess’ favorite expressions) contains amusing accounts of famous Parisian physicians, high-level French politicians, international socialites and even a vulgar and notorious American Congressman. Because of the book’s famous characters and venues, some names and facts have been altered. Noblesse Oblige is the author’s third book following I Survived Swiss Boarding Schools and Walking the Rainbow, an Arc to Triumph.</p>

Noblesse Oblige: The Duchess of Windsor as I Knew Her

History

Silvin, Richard René

Europe

Nike Publishing, LLC

During his Boarding School years, Richard Rene Silvin rubbed elbows with Elizabeth Taylor, Marlene Dietrich, the Rockefellers and royalty from many countries worldwide. But at his first school, he learned little other than how to avoid beatings from the staff and to evade a pedophile woodcuter. At esteemed LeRosey, his lack of academic learning at his first school nearly caused him to be expelled. And after years of putting up with sexual abuse from an older schoolmate, he finally stood up to the boy only to find himself humiliated by being branded "a fairy." That nadir in his life brought forth a new resolve that led to achievements that make the book's title seem like a great understatement.

I Survived Swiss Boarding Schools

Biographies & Memoirs

Leaders & Notable People

Thomas Max Pub

Noblesse Oblige: The Duchess of Windsor as I knew her

Historical

CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

In an era when the world seems to focus on flamboyant superstars, this must-read story reintroduces us to an unusual and nearly extinct class of genuine celebrities. During a long tenure at two very different boarding schools in Switzerland in the 1950’s and 1960’s, Richard René Silvin rubbed elbows with Elizabeth Taylor, Marlene Dietrich, families such as the Rockefellers, Onassis and Woodwards, as well as royalty from across the globe.   But, since all that glitters is definitely not gold, the reader will first be exposed to La Clairière, a tiny school for young boys. It was here that Silvin learned to escape random beatings by the headmaster, and to avoid a pedophile woodcutter.   Eventually, Silvin arrived at Le Rosey, then called “the school for kings and princes,” where his lack of academic training at La Clairière nearly led to his expulsion. Later, after being branded “a homo,” he learned how to stand up to molestation and even to thrive beyond it. Using sport victories, he created a healthy and graceful path to forgiveness and strength.   The result is a beguiling story, which creates a figurative “arc to triumph” worth emulating in any of life’s challenges.

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

<p>Villa Mizner: The House That Changed Palm Beach is about a grand town palace on Worth Avenue -- one of the world's most beautiful and up-scale streets.      The book begins with the famous, charismatic architect Addison Mizner's eight-year tenure (1924 - 1933) in the home of his dreams and includes well-researched, fictionalized conversations with Mizner's famous clients of the 1920s. This period comes to life as it explores the grand palaces Mizner designed for America's most extravagant elite.      Sadly, many of the magnificent homes Mizner designed during the "roaring twenties" were destroyed forty years later.  The book contains dozens of pictures of the properties in an effort to preserve their memory.      Readers will also discover details about Mizner's clients' lives -- all scions of American industry and high society. People like Phipps, Stotesbury, Cosden, Vanderbilt, du Pont, Wanamaker, Duke, Shearson, Chase and Warburton. They will learn of the ill-timed, failed attempt to create the model city of Boca Raton and the reasons why the brilliant, industrialist died intestate, bankrupt and without commissions.      The book then chronicles the house's subsequent owners, beginning with Rose and Mortimer Sachs whose tenure spanned four and a half decades (1939 - 1985). This influential couple built and operated a real estate empire in Via Mizner and along Worth and Peruvian Avenues.      Readers will then learn about the villa's transition period when it was owned by Ian Kean and, later, Robert and Gay Kanuth (1985 - 2003)     The in-town mansion finally ends up in the hands of Dee and Nick Adams, descendants of America's second President, John Adams. This vibrant young couple have brilliantly restored and furnished the house making it look like Mizner just stepped out to dinner.      The book brings this villa to life, an amusing and informative history of Palm Beach, Florida.</p>

Villa Mizner: The House That Changed Palm Beach

StarGroup International, Inc.

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