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First to Fly: The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the American Heroes Who
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First to Fly: The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the American Heroes Who Flew for France in World War I Hardback - 2015

by Charles Bracelen Flood

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From the publisher

If the Wright brothers' 1903 flights in Kitty Hawk marked the birth of aviation, World War I can be called its violent adolescence--a brief but bloody era that completely changed the way planes were designed, fabricated, and flown. The war forged an industry that would redefine transportation and warfare for future generations. In First to Fly, lauded historian Charles Bracelen Flood tells the story of the men who were at the forefront of that revolution: the daredevil Americans of the Lafayette Escadrille, who flew in French planes, wore French uniforms, and showed the world an American brand of heroism before the United States entered the Great War.

As citizens of a neutral nation from 1914 to early 1917, Americans were prohibited from serving in a foreign army, but many brave young souls soon made their way into European battle zones: as ambulance drivers, nurses, and more dangerously, as soldiers in the French Foreign Legion. It was partly from the ranks of the latter group, and with the sponsorship of an expat American surgeon and a Vanderbilt, that the Lafayette Escadrille was formed in 1916 as the first and only all-American squadron in the French Air Service. Flying rudimentary planes, against one-in-three odds of being killed, these fearless young men gathered reconnaissance and shot down enemy aircraft, participated in the Battle of Verdun and faced off with the Red Baron, dueling across the war-torn skies like modern knights on horseback.

Drawing on rarely seen primary sources, Flood chronicles the startling success of that intrepid band, and gives a compelling look at the rise of aviation and a new era of warfare.

Details

  • Title First to Fly: The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the American Heroes Who Flew for France in World War I
  • Author Charles Bracelen Flood
  • Binding Hardback
  • Edition First Edition
  • Pages 256
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Atlantic Monthly Press, New York
  • Publication date 2015-06
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780802123657 / 0802123651
  • Weight 0.97 lbs (0.44 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.25 x 5.5 x 1.3 in (20.96 x 13.97 x 3.30 cm)
  • Category History - Military / War
  • Library of Congress subjects France, World War, 1914-1918 - Regimental histories
  • Dewey Decimal Code 940.449

About the author

Charles Bracelen Flood (1929-2014) wrote fifteen books, including "Lee: The Last Years" and "Grant and Sherman: The Friendship That Won the Civil War," which Salon named one of the "Top 12 Civil War Books Ever Written," and the "New York Times" bestselling novel "Love is a Bridge." He graduated from Harvard and was a past president of the PEN American Center.
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First to Fly: The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the American Heroes Who Flew For France in World War I

by Flood, Charles Bracelen

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Atlantic Monthly Press. Book Club Edition. Very Good. With dust jacket. It's a well-cared-for item that has seen limited use. The item may show minor signs of wear. All the text is legible, with all pages included. It may have slight markings and/or highlighting.
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First to Fly: The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the American Heroes Who Flew For France in World War I

by Flood, Charles Bracelen

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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Atlantic Monthly Press, 2015-06-02. hardcover. Like New. 6x1x8. Appears to be unused. Orphans Treasure Box sells books to raise money for orphans and vulnerable kids.
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First to Fly : The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the Heroic American Squadron That Flew for...

First to Fly : The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the Heroic American Squadron That Flew for France in World War One

by Charles Bracelen Flood

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  • Hardback
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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Grove/Atlantic, Incorporated, 2015. Hardcover. Very Good. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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First to Fly : The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the Heroic American Squadron That Flew for...

First to Fly : The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the Heroic American Squadron That Flew for France in World War One

by Charles Bracelen Flood

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  • Hardback
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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Grove/Atlantic, Incorporated, 2015. Hardcover. Good. Former library book; Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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First to Fly : The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the Heroic American Squadron That Flew for...

First to Fly : The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the Heroic American Squadron That Flew for France in World War One

by Charles Bracelen Flood

  • Used
  • Good
  • Hardback
Condition
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Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780802123657 / 0802123651
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Description:
Grove/Atlantic, Incorporated, 2015. Hardcover. Good. Pages can have notes/highlighting. Spine may show signs of wear. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less.Dust jacket quality is not guaranteed.
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Item price
A$10.67
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First to Fly : The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the Heroic American Squadron That Flew for...
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First to Fly : The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the Heroic American Squadron That Flew for France in World War One

by Flood, Charles Bracelen

  • Used
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780802123657 / 0802123651
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Grove/Atlantic, Incorporated. Used - Good. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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First to Fly : The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the Heroic American Squadron That Flew for...
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First to Fly : The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the Heroic American Squadron That Flew for France in World War One

by Flood, Charles Bracelen

  • Used
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780802123657 / 0802123651
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Grove/Atlantic, Incorporated. Used - Very Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with possible writing/highlighting. Binding strong with minor wear. Dust jackets/supplements may not be included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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First to Fly : The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the Heroic American Squadron That Flew for...
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First to Fly : The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the Heroic American Squadron That Flew for France in World War One

by Flood, Charles Bracelen

  • Used
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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780802123657 / 0802123651
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Description:
Grove/Atlantic, Incorporated. Used - Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good.
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First to Fly. The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the American Heroes Who Flew for France in World War I

by Flood, Charles Bracelen

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ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
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New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 2015. 266 pages; b&w illustrations. Excellent read. The author has written a number of well-reviewed books of history. Clean and bright throughout.. First Edition. red quarter-cloth. Fine/Fine. 8vo.
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First to Fly: The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the American Heroes Who Flew For France in...
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First to Fly: The Story of the Lafayette Escadrille, the American Heroes Who Flew For France in World War I

by Flood, Charles Bracelen

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  • Hardback
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Book Club Edition
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Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780802123657 / 0802123651
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Atlantic Monthly Press, 2015-06-02. Book Club Edition. hardcover. Used: Good. 6.00x1.50x8.25. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
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