Richard D. Greensfelder, a retired admissions director from Maryland, has published his first novel, "50 Parachutes for 72 Virgins," a suspenseful tale that weaves religion and spirituality into a modern-day struggle between good and evil. The book, now available on Amazon, centers on a peace summit in Chicago where religious leaders from diverse faiths gather to address the world's moral decline, but their plans are threatened by terrorists.
The title is derived from two key elements: the 72 clerics attending the summit and a fictional escape plan called "Plan Z" for the Sears Tower (now Willis Tower). Greensfelder explained that the parachutes represent a desperate contingency if all else fails. The story follows Archbishop Rooney, a blunt and outspoken character who believes the world is drifting dangerously away from God. He organizes the summit with 12 representatives each from Christian, Hebrew, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, and Atheist groups, hoping to spark a global movement toward peace. However, the event takes a dark turn as terrorists plot to disrupt it.
The novel explores themes of love, forgiveness, and charity versus hate and revenge. Archbishop Rooney laments the loss of community values, pointing to 1963 as a pivotal year when prayer was removed from public schools. He asks his assistant, Fr. Tommy Schaefer, "Do you think 13 trillion 'The Lord's Prayers' would have made a difference? Damn right they could have!" This rhetorical question underscores the author's belief that a society without a moral compass is vulnerable to evil.
Greensfelder, a devout Catholic, says the book is a wake-up call for a country that has strayed from its spiritual roots. "I have written the book to remind folks about what made the 'Good Old Days,'" he said. "Love, sound values, the truth, forgiveness, charity, helping others, etc. are virtues that make this world a better place for our children and our children's children. It's a call to move back closer to God where we all are safer."
The author's background includes a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Baltimore, where he was part of a national championship soccer team in 1975. He lives in Baltimore with his family and hopes his stories will inspire readers to be more caring and contribute to a safer world.
"50 Parachutes for 72 Virgins" is available for purchase at Amazon in both paperback and e-book formats. For more information, visit the author's website at www.50parachutes.com.
