RICKENBACKER. by Rickenbacker, Edward V - 1967

Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey: Prentice-Hall, 1967. 458 pp, 9 1/4" H. Signed on front free endpaper: "Eddie Richenbacker - 1967". B&w photographs. "A legend in his own lifetime, Rickenbacker was one of the earliest racing-car drivers on the national circuit, competing against all the greats of that sport's infancy and eventually owning and running the Indianapolis Speedway for twenty years. (D)uring World War I, he joined up, was sent to France with General Pershing's American Expeditionary Forces, and finally worked his way into the Air Service. (He) downed 26 enemy aircraft, became America's Ace of Aces - earning nineteen decorations for bravery in action and was universally known as 'Captain Eddie'. After the war, (he) went back into the automobile business, built his own company and his own car and finally joined General Motors. In a great financial battle he won the right of way to buy Eastern Air Lines from General Motors. (During World War II), on a 1942 Pacific mission, he and his crew crashed into the sea. They spent an incredible 24 days and nights floating in rubber rafts until rescued. The triumphs and trials of Eddie Rickenbacker have thrilled Americans for fifty years (and he) has set down the staggering record of his career and achievements in a book as spellbinding as the life it depicts." Minor wrinkling at top of spine, slight toning to edges of text block and edges of boards, light loss of color and a few tiny foxing marks at top 1/2" of rear board. Dust jacket is price-clipped, has very light edge wear/wrinkling, a few very small edge tears, very light rubbing, protected in a mylar sleeve.. Signed by Author. First Edition. Hard Cover. Very Good/Very Good-.