Recent years have seen a handful of acclaimed memoirs unmasked as fantasies (or at least partly so). Pacific Grove's Brad Herzog, author of the soon to be released personal travel memoir, Greek to Me: A Would-be Hero's American Odyssey, shared his wit and good humor on Tuesday, May 17th to a packed house. Brad's journey has taken many paths but at the center of it all has been, and is still, his writing. The non-identical twin of a button down business type, Brad's life decisions have always, though sometimes subliminally, been directed by his desire to separate himself from the buttoned-down world and be his own man. This quality rang with clear authenticity throughout his presentation.

Preparation and observation play key roles in Brad's success as an author. While often daunting, the preparation phase is critical as Brad explains it, to allow yourself to be "in the present" while exploring a subject locale or interviewing characters your research has pointed you toward. The field is no place to get ready... you have to be ready - and informed - before you get there.

Brad believes truth is at least as compelling fiction. He continues to churn out travel memoirs steeped in fact and philosophical inquiry -- Everyman's journeys in search of universal truths. His latest, Greek to Me, is his cross-country version of Homer's epics as he heads toward a college reunion in Ithaca, NY. He weaves travel, history, mythology and memoir together in a tale that is, as its essence, a search for the definition of a heroic life. One lesson Brad conveyed is to never count on a sure thing. The publication of his latest,Greek to Me was set to happen in May. Through events totally out of his contorl his publisher froze all projects and Brad's next best seller is in limbo. Another of Brad's lessons, however, is never give up. Brad's unfailing spirit will make the book happen. Guaranteed!

Thank you, Brad, for bringing your story to us in such a simple and human way. Your philosophy is working for you. Perhaps one or more of those lucky enough to hear you will have their journey made easier for the hearing.

Brad signs one of the many books he's written.

Our lucky door prize winners celebrate after the monthly drawing.