Luke Family Authorizes THE STAND

[globalmedia]

Luke Family Authorizes
THE STAND: The Final Flight of Lt. Frank Luke, Jr.
As Officially Authorized Biography
- ALSO -
New Video Released Featuring Interview With Author

For the first time in 90 years, the family of US Medal of Honor ace Lt. Frank Luke, Jr. has officially authorized a book on his life. Presented by Over The Front aviation journal (Welcome to The League of WWI Aviation Historians) and TheAerodrome.com, THE STAND: The Final Flight of Lt. Frank Luke, Jr. is now available following its December 8th worldwide release.

Frank Luke was America's leading flying ace when he was killed in action deep in enemy lines under mysterious circumstances in late 1918. His life has been the subject of numerous books and articles since the end of World War I, but the surviving family's authorization of THE STAND represents a new landmark. A statement released by the family reads:

To the readers of THE STAND: The Final Flight of Lt. Frank Luke, Jr., from the Luke family:

The name of Frank Luke has been in newspapers, books and magazines since before his death in September of 1918. Through more than ninety years of history the Luke family has tried to respond to interview requests and assist with research wherever possible. But we have never endorsed previous works. For us, this is a first. THE STAND represents the family's officially authorized biography of Lt. Frank Luke, Jr.

The family and descendants of Frank Luke, Jr.
Phoenix, AZ

The author of THE STAND, Stephen Skinner, said "The fact that the family has never considered doing this in some 90 years speaks for itself... this is huge. Its the greatest compliment that the book could ever receive."

"The Luke's were amazing to work with," Skinner continued. "They didn't see the manuscript until it was nearly finished and I warned them that Frank would not be presented as an untarnished hero. But still, they didn't ask me to change a single word. They allowed my research follow its own course. The result, I think, is the most honest book ever written on Luke."

A controversy has raged for decades as to what truly happened when Luke was shot down behind German lines near Murvaux, France on 29 September 1918. For the first time in history, THE STAND answers the riddle of what actually occurred in the final moments of Luke's life through battlefield archeology and original research. WWI aviation author Greg VanWyngarden says "Stephen's exhaustive and meticulous research has fully solved the mystery of what actually happened on that fateful evening."

Skinner talks more about the writing of THE STAND and the Luke family's involvement in a newly released promotional video now available for viewing on the book's official web site, THE STAND: The Final Flight of Lt. Frank Luke, Jr.. The extended video runs seven minutes in length and features an exclusive interview with the author. The entire seven-part video series is also posted for viewing on the same page.

The current video will also soon be available for viewing at Welcome to The League of WWI Aviation Historians and Welcome to The Aerodrome - Aces and Aircraft of World War I. The video series will continue throughout the spring of 2009, featuring aviation experts discussing the book, recording artist Olivia Kay talking about her theme song for the upcoming documentary, book editor and WWI aviation expert Mike Carr, and others who were instrumental in the writing of THE STAND.

Autographed copies of THE STAND may be ordered for immediate USPS Priority Mail delivery at THE STAND: The Final Flight of Lt. Frank Luke, Jr..