VERO BEACH — Vero Beach author Cynthia Hurst celebrates true men she has encountered in her latest book, The Platinum Project: MEN in the 21st Century (Publisher WRB Books – Price $15). The Platinum Project will be presented by Hurst with a brief talk and book signing at the Vero Beach Book Center on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7 pm.
This companion piece to The Diamond Project: Ordinary Women Leading Extraordinary Lives offers the reader an inside look at a plethora of platinum-quality men and their experiences in the 21st century. Stories run the gamut, ranging from the joy of fishing to surviving the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Also included are tales of a lion hunter, a World Bank executive, an Augustinian friar and a hockey player in the Yale Hall of Fame.
There are adventures of a musician on a road trip to Hollywood, a navy rescue, a sail around the world, and a night on the town with a pub owner in Toronto. Next, we find reports from Egypt, China, Belgium, France, Italy and the U.S. Other topics of interest, from road rallies to rocket ships, pizza to puzzles, are found in this compilation of 33 essays, stories and literary pieces.
The author digs deeper to find connections and common threads. How do men channel the ancient need to hunt in modern-day society? Where do they go for adventure? How do they find love and meaning in a technological world? What makes them laugh and what makes them happy? What defines success in today’s business climate? What inspires men and what makes it all worthwhile? And finally, how are they faring on this journey called Life?
Local contributors include publisher and retired criminologist Walter R. Bodie, Lemon Tree restaurateur Paul Castraberti, jazz musician and Treasure Coast author Gene Hull, agricultural economist Jack Claar, graphic artist Brian Holmes, investment banker Bill Lewis and community fundraiser Karl Steene. Entrepreneur Gary Michaels of Miami, trophy hunter Barth Satuloff and actor/radio personality Neal Stannard add to the collection. The author’s husband, Richard Hurst, a successful inventor with a unique outlook, is also featured.
Men will find fraternity, identity, hilarity and a surprisingly good ending. Women will find a better understanding and something to talk about in these pages-and discover a deeper appreciation for the men in their lives.