{"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\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Schiffer Publishing\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 11\/28\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9780764370304\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 288\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.10lbs","brand":"Steven T. Tom","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51817757704373,"sku":"9780764370304","price":25.49,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_d18fd097-b4b8-475f-8017-98e8d3aeec82.jpg?v=1759241589","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/the-aviator-a-biography-of-james-r-mcconnell-lafayette-escadrille-fighter-pilot-9780764370304","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}