Seattle Real Estate Developer, Mark Schuster, Recipient of Eric Hoffer Book Award

SEATTLE, July 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 26th The Eric Hoffer Book Award Committee announced that Mark Schuster's business memoir, Lofty Pursuits: Repairing the World One Building at a Time, is the recipient of the 2011 Eric Hoffer Book Award. This prestigious national literary award recognizes outstanding writing published by small publishers across the country covering a variety of categories. This is Mark's second literary award for Lofty Pursuits; in March he received the 2011 Reader Views Reviewer's Choice Award.

In its review, the Eric Hoffer award committee said, "[Lofty Pursuits] is truly an inspiring book, teaching us of lessons learned and reminding us that hard work, perseverance, and selecting the most honorable course of action matters."

Lofty Pursuits is the story of how Seattle real estate developer Mark Schuster went from scrubbing toilets to building a multi-million dollar real estate investment business. Early in his career, Mark had vowed to erect an iconic building, worthy of honoring his grandfather, George Mosler. The completion of Mosler Lofts, the most nationally acclaimed, environmentally-conscious residential high-rise building of 2008, fulfilled that dream and, in the end, much more. Lofty Pursuits is a journey of success built the old-fashioned way: through perseverance and hard work.

Using stories and lessons from his career and life Mark shares his formula for success utilizing what he has coined the Three Pillars of Sustainability: honoring family legacy, designing and managing buildings for future generations, and making a positive impact on the social challenges facing humanity. He connects successful business practices with community enhancement to help readers find "greater meaning in their business and greater success in their life."

The book has also received endorsements from a number of prominent business leaders such as Christine Ervin, the first President and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council and Caryl Stern, President and CEO of U.S. Fund for UNICEF. W. Berry Fowler, the founder of Sylvan Learning Centers said this about Lofty Pursuits, "Truly Exceptional! This book raises the standard for doing business now and in the future. An important piece of work with a valuable message."

Mark R. Schuster, a passionate entrepreneur and philanthropist, founded The Schuster Group, a Seattle-based real estate investment and development firm in 1989. Mark is a regular speaker at national and regional conferences. Lofty Pursuits is his first book.

SOURCE The Schuster Group