Eddie Rickenbacker: An American Hero in the Twentieth Century - Softcover

Lewis, W. David

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0801889723 ISBN 13: 9780801889721

Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press, 2008

Synopsis

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 automobile maker after the war, Rickenbacker returned to aviation, joined Eastern Airlines in 1934, and quickly reached the top of the corporate ladder. With the start of World War II, he took on special missions to theaters of combat, surviving twenty-one days adrift on a small rubber raft after his plane went down at sea. But the seemingly indestructible Eddie did not thrive well under the new competitive conditions in the postwar airline industry. Despite having built Eastern into a major carrier, he departed the company under pressure in 1963.

W. David Lewis's biography of Rickenbacker reveals both the achievements and the vulnerability of this quintessential American hero. 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.

About this title

About the Author

Until his death in September 2007, W. David Lewis was a Distinguished University Professor at Auburn University.

From the Back Cover

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. Failing as an automobile maker after the war, Rickenbacker returned to aviation, joining Eastern Airlines in 1934, only to depart under pressure in 1963, despite building the company into a major carrier.

"[Lewis] has compiled the definitive biography of Eddie Rickenbacker, an often forgotten American hero and entrepreneur. Exhaustively researched and well written, Lewis's study chronicles the life and achievements of Rickenbacker from his humble beginnings as the son of Swiss immigrants through his rise to heroic military veteran and founding father of American auto racing and airline travel."―H-War, H-Net Reviews

"Lewis has given us an unabashedly individual and heroic story from the heart of our era's passion for motorized speed."―Technology and Culture

"Mr. 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."―Washington Times

"This well-written and well-researched biography tells the life story of one of America's greatest, most widely-recognized, and controversial airmen."―Skyways

"A riveting read―certainly the best telling of the Rickenbacker story we are ever likely to have."―Airways

"Lewis's intent is to replace Rickenbacker's self-promoting, ghost-written autobiographies with a reliable scholarly life."―Journal of American History

Until his death in September 2007, W. David Lewis was a Distinguished University Professor at Auburn University.

From the Inside Flap

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. Failing as an automobile maker after the war, Rickenbacker returned to aviation, joining Eastern Airlines in 1934, only to depart under pressure in 1963, despite building the company into a major carrier.

[Lewis] has compiled the definitive biography of Eddie Rickenbacker, an often forgotten American hero and entrepreneur. Exhaustively researched and well written, Lewis's study chronicles the life and achievements of Rickenbacker from his humble beginnings as the son of Swiss immigrants through his rise to heroic military veteran and founding father of American auto racing and airline travel.--H-War, H-Net Reviews

Lewis has given us an unabashedly individual and heroic story from the heart of our era's passion for motorized speed.--Technology and Culture

Mr. 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.--Washington Times

This well-written and well-researched biography tells the life story of one of America's greatest, most widely-recognized, and controversial airmen.--Skyways

A riveting read--certainly the best telling of the Rickenbacker story we are ever likely to have.--Airways

Lewis's intent is to replace Rickenbacker's self-promoting, ghost-written autobiographies with a reliable scholarly life.--Journal of American History

Until his death in September 2007, W. David Lewis was a Distinguished University Professor at Auburn University.

--Colonel Walter J. Boyne, former director, National Air and Space Museum "H-War, H-Net Reviews"

Edition details

• Publisher: Johns Hopkins University Press
• Publication date: 2008
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0801889723
• ISBN 13: 9780801889721
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 720