New Novel '50 Parachutes for 72 Virgins' Warns of a World Drifting from God

In an era where headlines are dominated by division and conflict, a new novel seeks to remind readers of timeless values. Richard D. Greensfelder of Maryland has published "50 Parachutes for 72 Virgins," a suspenseful tale that weaves religion, spirituality, and a high-stakes plot to issue a cautionary message about the modern world's drift from faith.

The title itself is provocative, drawn from a planned peace summit featuring 72 clerics and a futuristic escape plan for Chicago's Sears Tower. "The 50 parachutes reference refers to a futuristic escape plan for the Sears Tower in Chicago known as 'Plan Z,' the plan if all else fails," Greensfelder explained. The novel centers on Archbishop Rooney, an outspoken cleric who organizes a peace summit with representatives from various faiths—12 Christians, 12 Hebrews, 12 Muslims, 12 Buddhists, 12 Hindus, and 12 Atheists—to address the world's moral decline. The summit is set for the Sears Tower's Skydeck just before Christmas, a time of hope and love, but terrorists have other plans.

At its core, the book is a classic battle between good and evil, love and revenge. Archbishop Rooney, described as "an old school, old hoot who doesn't pull any punches," laments the loss of what he calls the "God Old Days" (G.O.D.), when communities were tight-knit and faith was central. He points to 1963 as a pivotal year when prayer was inadvertently banned from public schools, asking his sidekick, Fr. Tommy Schaefer, "Do you think 13 trillion 'The Lord's Prayers' would have made a difference? Damn right they could have!"

The novel's central theme is encapsulated in Rooney's coined phrase: "Evil fills the void whenever God is pushed away." Greensfelder wrote the book as a wake-up call for a country drifting from its spiritual roots. "I have written the book to remind folks about what made the '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."

Greensfelder, a retired Director of Admissions at a private school, holds a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Baltimore, where he was part of a National Championship soccer team in 1975. A devout Catholic, he hopes his stories inspire readers to be more caring and to contribute to a safer world. His debut novel is available on Amazon in paperback and E-book at this link, and more information can be found at www.50parachutes.com.