Eddie Rickenbacker: An American Hero in the Twentieth Century
Eddie Rickenbacker epitomized the American spirit in the twentieth century. Daring, skilled, and rugged—moving fast and defying death—he drove race cars in the early days of the automobile, then flew canvas-over-wooden-frame aeroplanes in the Great War, downing twenty-six enemy flyers and emerging at war's end as the nation's ace of aces. Only Gen. John J. "Black Jack" Pershing and the much-decorated Sgt. Alvin York emerged from that struggle as equally lauded American heroes.\ Failing as an...
Search in google:
Eddie Rickenbacker embodied what was new, exciting, and romantic about the country in the postwar years. His poignant story also sheds light on the ephemerality of American success and the fragility of celebrity. Capturing Rickenbacker's life in rich and vivid detail, W. David Lewis has written the definitive biography of America's ace of aces. Publishers Weekly Film lovers shudder when they think about the scene in Goldfinger where James Bond is strapped to a metal table as a laser slowly cutting it in two inches toward him. As physics professor Parker (The Isaac Newton School of Driving) reminds us, however, you can't see a laser beam. Bond is always sent out with the ultimate boy toys: a wristwatch with a built-in buzz saw, a pen with metal-dissolving acid, even a spin controller that can stop a slot machine right on the jackpot. Parker explains in layperson's terms the physics behind many of Bond's stunts and devices: the basic principles of motion as he out-skis an avalanche in On Her Majesty's Secret Service; how the hologram works in The World Is Not Enough; the science underlying the villain Blofield's voice changer in Diamonds Are Forever. When Parker gets away from the physics, however, his writing is plodding, and there are too many blow-by-blows. All in all, it's neither as exciting nor as much fun as a Bond movie. 90 b&w illus. (Nov.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
Preface ixPrologue: A Boy and His Flying Machine 1Starting Line 3Ignition 21Acceleration 46Full Throttle 64Shifting Gears 88Takeoff 112Learning Curve 141A Matter of Luck 159Climax 186Homecoming 218Domestic Front 242Frustrations 282Comeback 307Apex 319Pivot 353Call to Duty 382Pacific Mission 414New Mandate 450Anticipating Victory 484Turbulence and Descent 501End Game 530Epilogue: In the Arena 549Acknowledgments 553Notes 557Essay on Primary Sources 641Index 653
\ The Western Front AssociationThis book will give a whole new generation of readers insights into a truly unique American character.\ \ \ \ \ Register of the Kentucky Historical SocietyLewis provides readers with the definitive biography of this extraordinary man.\ \ \ California BookwatchMakes for an avid story not just of Rickenbacker and his world, but of an evolving transportation industry.\ \ \ \ \ Technology and CultureLewis has given us an unabashedly individual and heroic story from the heart of our era's passion for motorized speed.\ \ \ \ \ Journal of American HistoryLewis's intent is to replace Rickenbacker's self-promoting, ghost-written autobiographies with a reliable scholarly life.\ \ \ \ \ AirwaysA riveting read—certainly the best telling of the Rickenbacker story we are ever likely to have.\ \ \ \ \ SkywaysThis well-written and well-researched biography tells the life story of one of America's greatest, most widely-recognized, and controversial airmen.\ \ \ \ \ BooklistLewis is comprehensive about his subject.\ \ \ \ \ Washington TimesMr. Lewis' research, 15 years of it, is meticulous, showing the beauty of how fact-based reality can top fiction for excitement, irony and tragedy. Mr. Lewis has painted a balanced, complete picture of an extremely complex man. It's obvious the author has a love for his subject, but this is not hagiography: All aspects of Rickenbacker's personality are laid on the table.\ \ \ \ \ Publishers WeeklyFilm lovers shudder when they think about the scene in Goldfinger where James Bond is strapped to a metal table as a laser slowly cutting it in two inches toward him. As physics professor Parker (The Isaac Newton School of Driving) reminds us, however, you can't see a laser beam. Bond is always sent out with the ultimate boy toys: a wristwatch with a built-in buzz saw, a pen with metal-dissolving acid, even a spin controller that can stop a slot machine right on the jackpot. Parker explains in layperson's terms the physics behind many of Bond's stunts and devices: the basic principles of motion as he out-skis an avalanche in On Her Majesty's Secret Service; how the hologram works in The World Is Not Enough; the science underlying the villain Blofield's voice changer in Diamonds Are Forever. When Parker gets away from the physics, however, his writing is plodding, and there are too many blow-by-blows. All in all, it's neither as exciting nor as much fun as a Bond movie. 90 b&w illus. (Nov.) Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.\ \
