T h e S w o r d f i s h

C o m p e n d i u m

The

T h e S w o r d f i s h

C o m p e n d i u m

Dedicated to Kioko, Kailani &

The Swordfish Society

C o n t e n t s

Preamble

Introduction

Understanding Art Movements

The Most Important Painters in History

The Most Important Sculptors in History

The Most Important Photographers in History

The 25 Most Important Directors of Film

100 Poems to Experience

250 Books to Experience

The Most Important Geniuses in History

The International Renaissance Game

Wagering on The Horse Races

Wagering on Prize Fights

The Greatest Prize Fighters in History

Automobile Collecting

Legends In Auto Collecting

Ferrari Collecting

Classic Italian Collecting

Trophy Car Collecting

Collector Auctions from Around the World

The Most Important Auto Racers in History

Private Jet Interiors

International Travel

The Most Important Travel Agents

The Best Places to Travel by Season

Top 10 Luxury Cruises

Giga Yachts

Exotic Yachts

The Most Important Architects in History

Classical Music

Classical Composers & Periods

Appreciating the Opera

The Top 20 Operas in North America

Renowned Stage Plays To Experience

The Top 10 Ballets to Attend

Understanding The Era’s of Jazz Music

The 100 Greatest Jazz Albums Ever

The Origin of Blues Music

Early Blues Era: 1900-1950

Blues-Rock:1960’s-1970’s

100 Modern Blues Era Musicians: 1950-Present

Guidelines for Great Manners

Basic Party Etiquette

Formal Dinner Etiquette

The Swordfish Society Dinner Menu

The Swordfish Society 100 Best Restaurants List

The Best Cigars in the World

The Best Tobacconists in the World

Vino of the World

Champagne

Most Popular Martini Cocktails

Mixed Cocktails

Formal Dancing

Men’s Fashion

The Very Best Timepieces to Own

Understanding Horology (Watch Collecting)

The Most Beautiful Women in the World

The 20 Laws of Success

The 20 Universal Laws

The Swordfish Society Declaration

Sponsors

Index

The Swordfish Society ® ©2012 The Swordfish Society

P.O. Box 47313 Oak Park, MI 48237 www.SwordfishBook.com

All rights reserved No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic or mechanical including photocopy recording or any other information storage or retrieval system now known or to be invented without permission in writing from the publishers except by a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages in connection with a review written for inclusion in a magazine newspaper or broadcast. References to internet websites (URL’s) were accurate at the time of writing. Neither the author nor The Swordfish Society

® is responsible for neither expired nor changed

URL’s since this compendium was arranged.

First Edition: Printed in United States of America

Preamble T he Swordfish Society is on a mission! The mission is very

simple but necessary. We seek to expose all economic classes to the finest craftsmanship, eloquent artistic expression, timeless visionaries, material opulence and legendary people of history that otherwise many may never have been exposed to. The Swordfish Society’s focus comes down to one thing; Quality… and the observance of obtaining it through daily life for everyone. The word “quality” is tossed around and inserted into cheap commercials as if it were the stinging whiff of perfume accompanying a make-up encrusted face of an otherwise beautiful starlet. The phrase “quality” has been used to hawk inferior objects for ages and essentially, over time the impact of “quality” has been cheapened. In today’s landscape, the wealthy utilize what Swordfish calls the privilege of awareness—The education to identify superior craftsmanship and quality with an appreciation for the artistic expression as the artist(s) intended. Yes, money is an important factor in today’s society, the fact is… time is money. The more aged (time) something is, the

higher the price (money). The extensive time it takes to handcraft an item, the more it will cost. If the supply is scarce it’s usually because there hasn’t been anyone willing to invest the time to replenish a scarce level of supply. Since time is money many do not possess an adequate amount of time to explore the world—too busy making money (through greed or necessity) or losing money (through scarcity and poverty). The secondary reason for the creation of The Swordfish Compendium is for it to be used as a manual, an instructional guide for aficionados of style, class and panache. The Swordfish Compendium is a conversationalists’ manifesto of awareness devoid of the usual accompanied snobbery or classism. Can you enjoy learning about the best without feeling you “don’t belong” or the subject is “not intended for your class”? Of course you can! We tear down the walls of classism. No, we are not giving away a Ferrari with every purchase. So how do you remove classism without the installation of socialism? Through exposure… Normal folks like nice stuff too. What a revelation! We all have an inalienable right to enjoy the best culture has to offer. Understand this… it’s not millionaires toiling away designing, manufacturing,

serving and conducting sales in the finest stores and restaurants. It’s YOU! Almost all artists were born of meager means or of middle class at best in their time. The most expensive straw hats in the world are weaved by a 76 year old Dominican who grew up without running water. As we look at the fast rising upper middle class in China, successful entrepreneurs are gobbling up BMW’s and Hermes like a ‘90’s American. Understanding history (ancient and modern) allows you to understand true quality because quality was a requisite in the past. When computers and robotics took the reins from tailors, watch makers, coach builders, brick masons and hatters, the quality suffered dramatically. There is no substitute for the human hand. Human technology has advanced enough to produce 1 million Lamborghinis a year and sell them for $35,000 if Lamborghini S.p.A wanted to but it would never be the same Lambo that’s handcrafted in Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy today for $350,000. Chrysler tried with Maserati in the 80’s and it was a big disaster, no quality existed. Cadillac attempted with the Cimarron even Ford attempted this with the purchase and subsequent emasculation of the Jaguar badge in the 90’s. Sir William Lyons would have never driven an

“X-type”. We will give you insight on international connoisseurship of the very best this world has to offer. How does one correctly bet on horse races? What is the right timepiece to wear? How do you assemble the most awesome collection of automobiles? What are the finest literary works to be acquainted with? Who were the best sculptures, painters or poets? These are a few of the questions we’ll answer along with many other tidbits that will entertain you as well as educate.

Brian sits on the balcony of his water

suite, drinking In the full view of Bora Bora at sunset. He taps the ash of a beautiful Cuban cigar and takes another sip of his Remy Martin-Louis XIII Grande Champagne Cognac. The soft island breezes carry a flowery scent and the balcony feels like a throne of achievement as Brian surveys his kingdom. In the morning, there will be untouched private lagoons to explore on the other side of the island and a romantic lunch he has arranged for the beautiful woman asleep inside. But for right now, Brian stands on his balcony, certain that all future moments of contentment will be compared to this one. He quietly raises his glass and toasts the perfection of it all. Brian is Swordfishin’.

Do Anything… Go Anywhere…

This script shall reveal secret beauty you

forgot or never knew existed. You may even

be privy, but must be reminded again and

again about the wonders and beauty around

you. Festivals, islands, carnivals, kings’

ceremonies, parades, unknown countries, ,

luxury homes, black-tie galas, millions of

dollars in cars, camping by waterfall,

experiences of a lifetime, coupled with the

amenities and benefits of our Elite club life.

Remember, Do Anything… Go Anywhere…

Do you need A Bentley Flying Spur? (Self

driven or chauffeured?) and a hotel suite with

champagne & fruit chilled waiting for your

arrival? … Do you wish to fly a Fighter Jet

over the Serengeti? Maybe act as an

international spy for a day, walk the red

carpet of your favorite award show or “Shut

Down” Amsterdam… Use a legendary

mansion in California, a staffed villa in Spain

or maybe just a private chef at your home for

the evening.

Remember, this state of refined living

extends beyond enjoying the pages of this

book. Review our human edited links for

resorts, hotels, boutiques, nightclubs, cigar

lounges, jewelry, fashion, restaurants, future

technology or anything you wish. With the

access you’ve attained by purchasing this

Compendium and joining The Swordfish

Society.

To qualify as an adventure, an experience

has to go beyond the routine. It has to move

us with mystery and inspire us to discover

something. Such an experience will push us

outside the expected and into another, bigger

story. The power of true adventure can be

overwhelming. Its memory lingers in our

minds, whispering of breathless excitement

and pleading for our return.

The Swordfish Society believes in adventure,

and we have created this outlet to enhance

the adventurous lives of our members.

Swordfish is a membership based

networking community of people who insist

on the finest levels of service whether they

are traveling or playing closer to home.

Swordfish starts with the reasons for the

profound connection to its audience: namely

the desire to live life in the most breath-

taking and adventurous way. As Swordfish

members, they can not only enjoy these

benefits they can also connect with other

Swordfish members, to share exotic

adventures and experiences with new

friends.

Concerts, personal chefs, resort

vacations, sporting events, and

private jets are only the start.

Swordfish-Society.com coordinates

travel, entertainment and events,

delivering the VIP tickets no one

else can get; the seats you thought

were sold out; and the experiences

that seem to come from the set of

some amazing new movie.

Somewhere in the world tonight, a

local festival is turning the evening

air into a cultural mix of joy and

magic. The Swordfish Society can

place you there enjoying the

company of the most fascinating

people in the world.

The Swordfish Society members are

a thriving variety of people. They

come from every background, from

every part of the world, economic

level and social stratum. Some are

experienced business people; others

are artistic. Some are highly

educated; others are perpetual

travelers, but there is one way in

which all The Swordfish Society

Specialists are alike: they’re all

people who have dreams that can

become reality... and that’s what has

drawn them to Swordfish. They

have transformed their dreams into

reality by being a member of

The Swordfish Society. They’ve

prepared a blueprint for their lives,

and use the building blocks found in

Swordfish to construct and manage

their lifestyle. It makes all things

possible through the ONLY route to

do so, through people.

We live in an age when big

business, big government, big

unions and big institutions tower as

giants over the individual. Rich or

poor, citizens have found that their

ability to share in the dream of

prosperity has become endangered.

When individuals try to go out on

their own to build a successful

business in the traditional manner,

they are fighting heavy odds that are

stacked against them. That’s why

people are joining The Swordfish

Society and tackling the odds

together either through our social

arm or our private equity arm. By

combining their efforts and drawing

upon the resources of a well-

organized, well-managed,

experienced company, each

individual has the resources and the

support to stand among the giants.

The Swordfish Society is an exciting

opportunity and an adventure in

achievement. You experience the

exhilarating thrill of achievement in

knowing that you can accomplish

anything. It’s your future. Every

day is yours to use in any way you

wish. Opportunity is at your

doorstep. It’s knocking. When you

became a Swordfish Specialist of

The Swordfish Society, you opened

the door. The opportunity and the

freedom that it represents are yours

today. What will you do with them?

Psychiatrists tell us that one of the

most difficult challenges confronting

people in the modern world is finding

meaning in their lives. People want to

know that what they do, how they live,

and all work sacrifice and effort put

into each day are in truth worthwhile.

Those of us who are part of The

Swordfish Society are extremely

fortunate individuals.

We have found a way to fill the gap in

our lives that calls out for meaning and

purpose. We enhance people’s lives by

providing quality products and services

and give people an opportunity to

improve their lives financially.

What is a Compendium anyway?

A Compendium is a concise yet comprehensive compilation or a body of knowledge. In most

cases a compendium summarizes a larger body of work as in this case The Swordfish

Compendium summarizes The Swordfish Society. This book can only scratch the surface of

Swordfish as other volumes shall subsequently follow. The understanding of world culture is

what this compendium is about from boats, music, art architecture, literature, travel,

technology to world beauty, The Swordfish Compendium will keep you on point. Most will

either be introduced for the first time or will be reintroduced for the last time as to never forget

again. This book is a working instructional manual to enjoying more out of life go to an

Opera, a Ballet, race a Lambo! Do Anything… Go Anywhere…

Everything is Art