Eddie Rickenbacker: An American Hero in the Twentieth Century Hardcover - 2005
by W. David Lewis
From the rear 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 jacket 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"Details
- Title Eddie Rickenbacker: An American Hero in the Twentieth Century
- Author W. David Lewis
- Binding Hardcover
- Edition First Edition
- Pages 720
- Volumes 1
- Language ENG
- Publisher Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore
- Date 2005-11
- Illustrated Yes
- Features Bibliography, Dust Cover, Illustrated, Index, Maps, Table of Contents
- ISBN 9780801882449 / 0801882443
- Weight 2.58 lbs (1.17 kg)
- Dimensions 9.56 x 6.44 x 1.8 in (24.28 x 16.36 x 4.57 cm)
- Ages 18 to UP years
- Grade levels 13 - UP
- Library of Congress subjects Air pilots - United States, World War, 1939-1945 - Aerial operations,
- Library of Congress Catalog Number 2005005939
- Dewey Decimal Code B
Media reviews
Citations
- Booklist, 11/01/2005, Page 10
- Publishers Weekly, 10/03/2005, Page 66
More Copies for Sale
Eddie Rickenbacker: An American Hero in the Twentieth Century
by Lewis, W. David
- Used
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780801882449 / 0801882443
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Frederick, Maryland, United States
- Item Price
-
£6.24£3.23 shipping to USA
Show Details
Eddie Rickenbacker : An American Hero in the Twentieth Century
by Lewis, W. David
- Used
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780801882449 / 0801882443
- Quantity Available
- 3
- Seller
-
Mishawaka, Indiana, United States
- Item Price
-
£7.71FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
Eddie Rickenbacker: An American Hero in the Twentieth Century
by Lewis, W. David
- Used
- Acceptable
- Hardcover
- Condition
- Used - Acceptable
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780801882449 / 0801882443
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Kingwood, Texas, United States
- Item Price
-
£8.18FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
Eddie Rickenbacker: An American Hero in the Twentieth Century
by W. David Lewis
- Used
- good
- Hardcover
- Condition
- Used - Good
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780801882449 / 0801882443
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
HOUSTON, Texas, United States
- Item Price
-
£11.58FREE shipping to USA
Show Details
Eddie Rickenbacker: An American Hero in the Twentieth Century
by W. David Lewis
- Used
- Hardcover
- Condition
- Used - Like New
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780801882449 / 0801882443
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Item Price
-
£11.74£2.83 shipping to USA
Show Details
Eddie Rickenbacker: An American Hero in the Twentieth Century
by W. David Lewis
- Used
- Hardcover
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780801882449 / 0801882443
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Item Price
-
£11.74£2.83 shipping to USA
Show Details
Eddie Rickenbacker: An American Hero in the Twentieth Century
by W. David Lewis
- New
- Hardcover
- Condition
- New
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780801882449 / 0801882443
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Chicago, Illinois, United States
- Item Price
-
£12.24£2.83 shipping to USA
Show Details
Eddie Rickenbacker: An American Hero in the Twentieth Century
by Lewis, W. David
- New
- Hardcover
- Condition
- New
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780801882449 / 0801882443
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Alexandria, Virginia, United States
- Item Price
-
£12.47£3.24 shipping to USA
Show Details
Eddie Rickenbacker; An American Hero in the Twentieth Century
by W. David Lewis
- Used
- very good
- Hardcover
- first
- Condition
- Used - Very Good
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780801882449 / 0801882443
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
WINFIELD, Kansas, United States
- Item Price
-
£12.95£4.05 shipping to USA
Show Details
Eddie Rickenbacker: An American Hero in the Twentieth Century
by W. David Lewis
- Used
- near fine
- Hardcover
- first
- Condition
- Used - Near Fine
- Edition
- 1st Edition
- Binding
- Hardcover
- ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
- 9780801882449 / 0801882443
- Quantity Available
- 1
- Seller
-
Potomac, Maryland, United States
- Item Price
-
£14.98£5.25 shipping to USA