Fighting the Flying Circus Signed 1st Edition

This rare find is a first edition copy of "Fighting the Flying Circus" by Captain Eddie Rickenbacker. The book covers the author's experiences during WWI aerial combat and is a must-have for aviation and military history enthusiasts. Along with the captivating narrative, this particular copy includes a signature from Rickenbacker himself, adding even more value to this vintage piece. Don't miss out on the opportunity to own a piece of history. Octavo, original blue cloth, mounted cover illustrations. Of the dramatic story behind Captain Eddie Rickenbacker's World War I exploits.

Inscribed, With best wishes, to C. Commander of the renowned 94th Squadron during World War I, the first and most-decorated American squadron on the western front, Rickenbacker was "America's top ace (Ace of Aces) in World War I" and won numerous awards for his service, including the Congressional Medal of Honor (ANB).

Portrait of the author and five maps; without extremely scarce dust jacket. Rickenbacker, originally from Ohio, was best known as one of the commanders of the 94th "Hat-in-the-Ring" Squadron, a crack unit of World War I pilots that included many former members of the famed Lafayette Escadrille. The 94th ended the war in France with the highest number of air victories of any American squadron. Captain Rickenbacker later belonged to an association of pilots and Great War air veterans who, in the years immediately following the Second World War, invited many of the new "young" aces from the Pacific and European theaters for informal lectures. These men never lost their keen interest in aviation.

This is a fantastic book. One of the best first-hand accounts of air combat in World War I, by an American ace of aces. Eddie Rickenbacker had an extraordinary career: inventor, race car driver, fighter ace, Medal of Honor winner, and finally president of Eastern Air Lines. In this book he recounts how he achieved 26 confirmed kills in less than a year of combat on the Western Front, rising from the ranks to lead the famed "Hat-in-the-Ring" squadron. Early pilots had to contend with primitive engines, unreliable guns, no parachutes, no oxygen, and wings that could tear off in a dive.

Just surviving was a daily challenge, and Rickenbacker saw many friends and comrades die through no fault of their own. In this book he unflinchingly explains all of the errors that he made in combat, and how he learned to become a better dogfighter.

He also gives the reader a glimpse of the tremendous psychological pressure that came from being America's leading ace - every previous holder had been shot down - and from his own leadership style of leading from the front. Excellent condition, AS NEW / RARE.

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