Seized by the Sun

The Life and Disappearance of World War II Pilot Gertrude Tompkins

By James W. Ure

Women of Action

YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION

208 Pages, 5.5 x 8.5

Formats: Cloth, PDF, Mobipocket, EPUB

Cloth, $19.99 (US $19.99) (CA $26.99)

Publication Date: July 2017

ISBN 9781613735879

Rights: WOR

Chicago Review Press (Jul 2017)

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Overview

How and why did a groundbreaking female fighter pilot vanish into thin air?

A daring pilot, a mysterious disappearance, a story that will take your breath away.

Seized by the Sun tells the remarkable story of Gertrude “Tommy” Tompkins, a woman who defied expectations to become one of the elite 126 female pilots of World War II. As a member of the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs), Tommy fearlessly ferried powerful fighter planes like the P-51 Mustang across the country.

But on October 26, 1944, Tommy vanished during a routine flight, leaving behind an enduring mystery. What happened to Tommy? Was it pilot error, mechanical failure, or something more sinister? Seized by the Sun is a gripping account of Tommy’s life, her contributions to the war effort, and the ongoing search for answers. Perfect for young adults interested in:

Women's history
Aviation
Unsolved mysteries

Reviews

“Seized by the Sun is a compelling slice of Americana and a wonderfully detailed glimpse at life in the WASPs from the perspective of a privileged yet tortured young woman.” —Kathryn J. Atwood, author of Women Heroes of World War II

“Part concise history of the WASPs and part unsolved mystery, Seized by the Sun is a long-overdue tribute to a determined and talented young woman as her identity changes from a shy and stuttering society girl to a confident military pilot. A deftly reported, shining portrait of an inspirational woman.” —Elizabeth Wein, award-winning author of Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire

Author Biography

James W. Ure is former publicist and executive director of the Sundance Film Festival, a publicist for Taft Entertainment and the author of Leaving the Fold: Candid Conversations with Inactive Mormons as well as several books on fly-fishing. He lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.

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