The Aviators : Eddie Rickenbacker, Jimmy Doolittle, Charles Lindbergh, and the Epic Age of Flight

Written by gifted storyteller Winston Groom (author of Forrest Gump ), The Aviators tells the saga of three extraordinary aviators--Charles Lindbergh, Eddie Rickenbacker, and Jimmy Doolittle--and how they redefine heroism through their genius, daring, and uncommon courage. This is the fascinating story of three extraordinary heroes who defined aviation during the great age of flight. These cleverly interwoven tales of their heart-stopping adventures take us from the feats of World War I through the heroism of World War II and beyond, including daring military raids and survival-at-sea, and will appeal to fans of Unbroken , The Greatest Generation , and Flyboys . With the world in peril in World War II, each man set aside great success and comfort to return to the skies for his most daring mission yet. Doolittle, a brilliant aviation innovator, would lead the daring Tokyo Raid to retaliate for Pearl Harbor; Lindbergh, hero of the first solo flight across the Atlantic, would fly combat missions in the South Pacific; and Rickenbacker, World War I flying ace, would bravely hold his crew together while facing near-starvation and circling sharks after his plane went down in a remote part of the Pacific. Groom's rich narrative tells their intertwined stories--from broken homes to Medals of Honor (all three would receive it); barnstorming to the greatest raid of World War II; front-page triumph to anguished tragedy; and near-death to ultimate survival--as all took to the sky, time and again, to become exemplars of the spirit of the "greatest generation." Review ''This is a winner, combining an engaging narrative and appropriate documentation into one solid study of three iconic aviators and their times.'' -- Library Journal , starred review ''Groom is at his best sharing history through the personal stories of the people involved. Not only is this history a learning experience, it is a joy to experience the suspenseful adventures of these extraordinary aviators as they spent their lives developing and promoting aviation in this country. An important narrative not to be missed!'' --Stephanie Crowe,Page and Palette Bookstore ''This is a winner, combining an engaging narrative and appropriate documentation into one solid study of three iconic aviators and their times. Recommended for students of military history and biography, as well as aviation historians and enthusiasts.'' -- Library Journal (starred review) About the Author WINSTON GROOM, a bestselling author, wrote the acclaimed Vietnam War novel Better Times Than These , the prizewinning As Summers Die, Gone the Sun , and Only . He coauthored Conversations with the Enemy , which was nominated for a 1984 Pulitzer Prize. His best known works are the #1 New York Times bestsellers Forrest Gump and Gumpisms: The Wit and Wisdom of Forrest Gump . The phenomenal hit film Forrest Gump garnered six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor. Groom is also the author of Shrouds of Glory , an account of Confederate General John Bell Hood's decisive actions in the lost great campaign of the Civil War. He lives in Point Clear, Alabama. From Winston Groom, the best-selling author of Forrest Gump; Shiloh, 1862; and Vicksburg, 1863, comes the fascinating story of three extraordinary heroes who defined aviation during the great age of flight. Targeted to fans of Unbroken, The Greatest Generation, and Flyboys, these cleverly interwoven tales of heart-stopping adventures take us from the feats of World War I through the heroism of World War II and beyond, including daring military raids and survival at sea. With the world in peril in World War II, each man set aside great success and comfort to return to the skies for his most daring mission yet. Doolittle, a brilliant aviation innovator, would lead the daring Tokyo Raid to retaliate for Pearl Harbor; Lindbergh, hero of the first solo flight across the Atlantic, would fly combat missions in the South Pacific; and Rickenbacker, World War I flying ace, would bravely hold his crew together while facing near starvation and circling sharks after his plane went down in a remote part of the Pacific. Groom's rich narrative tells their intertwined stories--from broken homes to Medals of Honor, barnstorming to the greatest raid of World War II, front-page triumph to anguished tragedy, and near death to ultimate survival--as all took to the sky, time and again, to become exemplars of the spirit of the'greatest generation.' This book tells the saga of three extraordinary aviators: Charles Lindbergh, Eddie Rickenbacker, and Jimmy Doolittle, and how they redefined heroism through their genius, daring, and uncommon courage. These cleverly interwoven tales of their heart-stopping adventures take us from the feats of World War I through the heroism of World War II and beyond, including daring military raids and survival-at-sea. With the world in peril in World War II, each man set aside great success and comfort to return to the skies for his most daring mission yet. Doolittle, a brilliant aviation innovator, would lead the daring Tokyo Raid to retaliate for Pearl Harbor; Lindbergh, hero of the first solo flight across the Atlantic, would fly combat missions in the South Pacific; and Rickenbacker, World War I flying ace, would bravely hold his crew together while facing near-starvation and circling sharks after his plane went down in a remote part of the Pacific. The author tells their intertwined stories, from broken homes to Medals of Honor (all three would receive it); barnstorming to the greatest raid of World War II; front-page triumph to anguished tragedy; and near-death to ultimate survival, as all took to the sky, time and again, to become exemplars of the spirit of the "greatest generation."--Provided by publisher Explores The Saga Of Three Extraordinary Aviators-- Charles Lindbergh, Eddie Rickenbacker, And Jimmy Doolittle-- And How They Redefine Heroism Through Their Genius, Daring, And Uncommon Courage-- These Three Men -- The King Of Dirt -- The Man With The Outside Loop -- Can Those Be Stars? -- Air Combat Is Not Sport, It Is Scientific Murder -- New York To Paris -- Man's Greatest Enemy In The Air -- I Was Saved For Some Good Purpose -- An Inspiration In A Grubby World -- His Halo Turned Into A Noose -- The Raid -- We Were Slowly Rotting Away -- The Lone Eagle Goes To War -- Masters Of The Sky. Winston Groom. Includes Bibliographical References (pages [445]-455) And Index. Tells the fascinating story of three extraordinary heroes who defined aviation during the great age of flight. This book takes us from the feats of World War I through the heroism of World War II and beyond, including daring military raids and survival-at-sea. It includes barnstorming to flying blindfolded, and a kidnapping to secret spying. These Three Men The King of Dirt The Man With the Outside Loop Which Way is Ireland? It is Scientific Murder New York to Paris Man's Greatest Enemy in the Air Saved For Some Good Purpose Inspiration in a Grubby World A Halo Becomes a Noose The Raid Adrift The Lone Eagle Goes to War Masters of the Sky. Explores "the saga of three extraordinary aviators--Charles Lindbergh, Eddie Rickenbacker, and Jimmy Doolittle--and how they redefine heroism through their genius, daring, and uncommon courage"-- Provided by publisher