The Warwick's Questionnaire: David Herlihy

The so-called Proust Questionnaire was originally a 19th-century parlor game designed to reveal bits of the soul, personality, & deep secrets of the participants through a series of pointed questions.  Versions of the quiz were re-popularized in the 20th-century by Vanity Fair and Inside the Actors Studio.  Our version - The Warwick's Questionnaire - is a series of ten questions designed to plumb the depths of the souls of visiting authors.

Historian & Bostonian, David V. Herlihy is the author of Bicycle: The History and the brand-new, The Lost Cyclist: The Epic Tale of an American Adventurer and His Mysterious Disappearance.  If Hitler had invented the bicycle, David may have had to rethink some of his answers in our Questionnaire. 

David Herlihy, proud Cinelli owner

1. What do you consider your greatest achievement?

• I’d say producing my latest book.  Second was beating Mark Allen (the future six (sic) time ironman) in a 9th grade cross-country run.

2. What is your greatest fear?

• Not making an impact.

3. If you were a superhero, what would your power be?

• Seeing through things.

4. If you could bring one writer back from the dead, who would it be?

• Maybe Edgar Allen Poe.  He’d have a lot to reveal about the afterlife.

5. Who is your favorite character from history?

• I’d have to go with Pierre Lallement, the original bicycle patentee.

6. Who is your least favorite character from history?

• Hitler.

Pierre Lallemont on his Velocipede

7. What is your most treasured possession?

• Probably my red Cinelli, ca. 1985.

8. What do you dislike the most about your appearance?

• Right now it would have to be the extra pounds.

9. What are you most looking forward to seeing on your tour stop in San Diego?

• The shoreline.

10. What is your motto?

• Never give up.

David Herlihy will be at Warwick's on Thursday, August 19th at 7:30pm to discuss and sign his new book, The Lost Cyclist.