The
seed for Flights of Angels was
planted over fifty
years ago, on September 1, 1945, when the author's neighbor, Navy pilot
Lt. Marcy Darnall, was
killed in the Philippine Islands, the last day of WWII. Doug
James was only
nine years old but the event was permanently etched in his brain. Earlier,
another neighbor, Lynwood Glazier, who flew for the Army, was declared
missing in the Pacific. James
didn't know Glazier, but the news of his disappearance and death hung
over his close-knit neighborhood like a dark cloud. A half-century
later, James began sketching out a basic plot for Flights
of Angels and commenced his research---three years of it---to
commemorate the lives of Darnall and Glazier. "What we
owe all those young men is absolutely beyond our grasp," James
believes. "Everyday, ordinary, hometown boys who volunteered to
serve. Their service to their country was selfless, and too often,
terminal." James
has dedicated his novel to Glazier and Darnall and their comrades-in-arms. This book is much more
than a fabulous read taking you up in the bright yellow Stearman
airplane named the "Yellow Peril." It
is a compelling story of the young Navy pilot Billy
Benson as he works his way through flight training. Billy
Benson, the sequel to Flights of Angels, will
be released in 2008.
"[Flights
of Angels] brings …wonderful memories
rushing back to me. It's a wonderful read for anybody who looked into
the skies and yearned to fly." Ed McMahon, Television personality
- Former V-5 pilot
"While
reading Flights of Angels, I was
ready to grab my helmet and goggles and jump into the nearest cockpit. I could
almost hear and feel the power of hundreds of roaring 550 h.p.
radial engines as I relived the greatest adventure of my life. "Flights
of Angels is rich and satisfying and would be
a gift beyond compare for former cadets and pilots who have
been there and done that." George Harris, former V-5 pilot and
advanced flight instructor
"What
a wonderful read!"
Bud
C.
"I
couldn't put it down."
Larry
H.
"I
just wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed the book. Thank you
for a fabulous story."
Laurie
H.
"I
loved your book. Your extensive research into aircraft design
and flight training shines through and is very engaging." Alison
M.
"I
thoroughly enjoyed reading about the navy flight program that
existed in those years. Thank you for your efforts in researching
and writing the book so we can all better understand true patriotism." Bruce
L.
