Steven A. Ruffin's Books

The Lafayette Escadrille

A Photo History of the First American Fighter Squadron

By: Steven A. Ruffin

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

The Lafayette Escadrille

A Photo History of the First American Fighter Squadron

By: Steven A. Ruffin

“A fresh look at the 38 Americans in the Escadrille Américaine . . . a finely-researched, well-written and well-illustrated book. It is recommended highly” (Over the Front). The Lafayette Escadrille was an all-volunteer squadron of Americans who flew for France during World War I, arguably the best-known fighter squadron ever to take to the skies. In this work, the entire history of these gallant volunteers—who named themselves after the Marquis de Lafayette, who came to America’s aid during its revolution—is laid out in both text and pictorial form. Along with archival photographs and documents, current snapshots of existing markers and memorials honoring the Lafayette Escadrille were taken by the author in France. In several cases, he was able to match his present-day color photos with older images of the same scene, thus creating a jaw-dropping then-and-now comparison. To add even more color, the author included artwork and aircraft profiles by recognized illustrators, along with numerous full-color photographs of artifacts relating to the squadron’s men and airplanes, as they are displayed today in various museums in the United States and France. The result is undoubtedly the finest photographic collection of the Lafayette Escadrille to appear in print. Along with expert text revealing air-combat experiences, as well as life at the front during the Great War, it is a never-before-seen visual history that both World War I aviation aficionados and those with a passing interest in history will appreciate. “This magnificent book probably provides everything needed by someone wishing to learn about this famous fighting unit.” —Cross and Cockade “When it comes to describing aerial combat in all its bloody fury, [Ruffin] excels.” —Air and Space Magazine

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

324

Publisher

Casemate Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

1612003516

ISBN 13

9781612003511

Flights of No Return

Aviation History's Most Infamous One-Way Tickets to Immortality

By: Steven A. Ruffin

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Flights of No Return

Aviation History's Most Infamous One-Way Tickets to Immortality

By: Steven A. Ruffin

Discover the mysterious, controversial, and sometimes downright eerie history of flights that didn't end as planned. The history of aviation is full of accounts of history's most spectacular flights. But what about the ones from which someone failed to return? - A celebrated millionaire--who also happened to be the world's foremost aviator--lifted off in a small plane one clear morning in 2007 and disappeared. - The glamorous son of a beloved fallen president took off on a hazy summer night in 1999 and plunged himself and two others into the Atlantic Ocean. - A US Navy blimp landed one Sunday morning in 1942 in the middle of a city street in California with no one aboard. Some of these "non-returns" occurred because of errors in judgment; others were intentional, and some resulted from causes still unknown. Get the full, meticulous account of the fascinating people involved in these flights, the mistakes they made, and the ways in which their "flight of no return" affected the world. Pilot and aviation writer Steven A. Ruffin covers the entire 230-year span of manned flight in all types of aircraft through war and peace. Balloons, blimps, biplanes, jets, and spaceships have all suffered mishaps over the years. Don't miss the mystery, adventure, intrigue, and a sprinkling of the supernatural and extraterrestrial in Flights of No Return.

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

259

Publisher

Zenith Press

Published Date

ISBN 10

0760347921

ISBN 13

9780760347928

Aviation's Most Wanted™

The Top 10 Book of Winged Wonders, Lucky Landings, and Other Aerial Oddities

By: Steven A. Ruffin

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Aviation's Most Wanted™

The Top 10 Book of Winged Wonders, Lucky Landings, and Other Aerial Oddities

By: Steven A. Ruffin

Ever since the caveman gazed longingly at the winged creatures above him, mankind has been enamored with the idea of flight—of just taking off and soaring away. Steven A. Ruffin celebrates that spirit, that sense of wonder, with Aviation’s Most Wanted™: The Top 10 Book of Winged Wonders, Lucky Landings, and Other Aerial Oddities. With dozens of top-ten lists focusing on notable flights, memorable planes, famous and infamous aviators, aircraft combat, air travel—even space travel—and so much more, Ruffin provides a treasure trove of fun facts and amazing anecdotes celebrating the world’s love affair with flight, plus the hurt that accompanies any deep love. Will Rogers died in a plane crash near Point Barrow, Alaska, with aviation legend Wiley Post at the controls. Rogers was writing an article at the time of the crash; eerily, the last word he typed was “death.” Isoroku Yamamoto, who masterminded the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, met his fate in similarly sneaky fashion. U.S. forces intercepted and decoded information on Yamamoto’s travel plans and “Pearl Harbored” his plane, shooting it down into the island jungle of Bougainville. The safest seat in a crash depends on if you crash on takeoff or on landing—so flip a coin! You’ll read about the first and worst of flight, aces and races, and everything from crimes, sex, and controversy to planes so fast they can outrun the sun. With Aviation’s Most Wanted™ you’ll get the history of flight from the early balloon adventures of the eighteenth century until the present, laid out with trivia and tales to amuse and amaze!

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

333

Publisher

Potomac Books, Inc.

Published Date

ISBN 10

1574886746

ISBN 13

9781574886740

The Lafayette Escadrille

A Photo History of the First American Fighter Squadron

By: Steven A. Ruffin

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

The Lafayette Escadrille

A Photo History of the First American Fighter Squadron

By: Steven A. Ruffin

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

324

Publisher

Casemate Publishers

Published Date

ISBN 10

1612003516

ISBN 13

9781612003511

Aviation's Most Wanted™

The Top 10 Book of Winged Wonders, Lucky Landings, and Other Aerial Oddities

By: Steven A. Ruffin

Write a review Read reviews Take a Quiz Solve Book Puzzle

Aviation's Most Wanted™

The Top 10 Book of Winged Wonders, Lucky Landings, and Other Aerial Oddities

By: Steven A. Ruffin

Average ratings

N/A

Write a review

Solve jigsaw puzzle

Age

Page Count

369

Publisher

Potomac Books, Inc.

Published Date

ISBN 10

1597974447

ISBN 13

9781597974448

Book's by Steven A. Ruffin

The Lafayette Escadrille

The Lafayette Escadrille

Flights of No Return

Flights of No Return

Aviation's Most Wanted™

Aviation's Most Wanted™

The Lafayette Escadrille

The Lafayette Escadrille

Aviation's Most Wanted™

Aviation's Most Wanted™

Username

Password

Username

Password

Password again

Birthday

Email