{"product_id":"the-aviator-a-biography-of-james-r-mcconnell-lafayette-escadrille-fighter-pilot-9780764370304","title":"The Aviator: A Biography of James R. McConnell, Lafayette Escadrille Fighter Pilot","description":"On the University of Virginia campus, one can find a winged, 12-foot-tall bronze statue titled \u003cem\u003eThe Aviator\u003c\/em\u003e. Curiously, \u003cem\u003eThe Aviator\u003c\/em\u003e is a memorial to a UVA dropout, James Rogers McConnell.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e McConnell was a fighter pilot in the famous squadron of American volunteers who fought for the French prior to US entry into World War I, the Lafayette Escadrille.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Prior to joining the escadrille, McConnell served in France as an ambulance driver. He documented the front, both on the ground and in the air in \u003cem\u003eFlying for France\u003c\/em\u003e, a bestselling book published just before his death. A modest character, Jim included very little information about himself in his book. Even while at the front, McConnell remained in regular correspondence with his family, friends, and girlfriends. A large volume of these original letters are preserved today.\u003cbr\u003e \u003cbr\u003e Author Steven T. Tom has sifted through a mountain of primary source material to go beyond \u003cem\u003eFlying for France\u003c\/em\u003e and tell the full story of the brief but famous life of Jim McConnell.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eTom, Steven T.:\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e - \u003cstrong\u003eSteven T. Tom\u003c\/strong\u003e is an US Air Force veteran and has a PhD in mechanical engineering. He is a member of the League of World War I Aviation Historians and the World War I Historical Association. This is his second book on the pilots of the Lafayette Escadrille. He lives in Georgia.","brand":"Schiffer Publishing","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51735017914642,"sku":"9780764370304","price":21.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_62d97862-63d8-4c17-b6d6-3e926752aed7.jpg?v=1763492363","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/the-aviator-a-biography-of-james-r-mcconnell-lafayette-escadrille-fighter-pilot-9780764370304","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}