He is fascinated by the fascinating.
A Park Slope writer and composer has penned an illustrated tome featuring who he considers to be some of the 50 most interesting people in the world. But the author of “Extraordinary People: A Semi-Comprehensive Guide to Some of the World’s Most Fascinating Individuals” said “fascinating” doesn’t always mean “famous” — just someone who has done something “above and beyond the norm.”
“ ‘Fascinating,’ or more specifically, ‘extraordinary,’ to me, doesn’t necessarily mean ‘role model,’ ” said Michael Hearst, who will launch his book at PowerHouse Arena in Dumbo on May 16.
The book includes people responsible for scientific breakthroughs, inventions, humanitarian efforts, and acts of great daring. One of the 50 featured faces is Soviet space program mastermind Sergei Korolev, who was responsible for Sputnik and sending cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin and the dog Laika into outer space. Hearst said Korley has never really gotten his full dues.
“Many consider Korlev to be the father of practical astronautics,” said Hearst, who wrote the first draft in four months, mostly at Park Slope Library. “Of course, the reason we are just now hearing about him is because he was locked away in a Soviet gulag for years.”
Other people in the book have more eccentric claims to fame. Jeanne De Clisson, a female pirate in the 1300s, trolled the English Channel hunting down and destroying French ships. Roy Sullivan, a forest ranger from Virginia, was struck by lightning seven times during his life. Heraclio Bernal, also known as the “thunderbolt of Sinaloa,” was a real-life Robin Hood in Mexico — he stole from the rich and gave to the poor and is also the subject of many Mexican folk songs.
Hearst said he has met, talked to, or corresponded with several of the people featured in the book, including his all-time hero, professional skateboarder Rodney Mullen, who invented the flat-ground ollie skate move.
“I spent several hours on the phone with him talking about his role as ‘godfather of street skating,’” said Hearst.
Hearst said he isn’t just interested in fascinating people — he wrote “Extraordinary People” as a follow-up to his first publication, “Unusual Creatures,” in which he highlighted unsung fauna, such as the axolotl, echidna, hagfish, and mimic octopus.
“I’ve always been captivated by things that are somewhat different from the norm, whether it’s musical instruments, animals, or, in this case, humankind,” he said.
For the PowerHouse launch, Hearst said he will give a presentation with photos and videos of some of the book’s featured individuals, perform a musical set inspired by the book, and serve Toll House cookies, which were invented by Ruth Wakefield, who is also featured in the book. Hearst said he’s still brainstorming other book-themed snacks.
“There will certainly need to be something peanut buttery, as invented by George Washington Carver,” Hearst said. “Maybe some mushrooms threaded on leather string, as discovered on Otzi the Iceman. Mmm!”
Michael Hearst launches “Extraordinary People: A Semi-Comprehensive Guide to Some of the World’s Most Fascinating Individuals” at PowerHouse Arena [37 Main St. between Water and Front streets in Dumbo, (718) 666–3049, www.power
