THE STAND: The Final Flight of Lt. Frank Luke, Jr. is a Schiffer Publishing book written by Stephen Skinner. The book tells the true story of final moments in the life of America’s most spectacular World War I fighter pilot. Frank Luke, who scored 18 aerial victories in a torrid 18-day combat spree, was killed in action behind German lines in September 1918 and the exact circumstances of his death have been debated by historians ever since.
THE STAND presents a detailed analysis of all sides of the story through more than one thousand pages of unpublished material, newly disclosed documents from four nations and interviews with descendents of eyewitnesses in France and Germany. Skinner’s findings are based upon extensive on-site archaeological research and a series of recently discovered German correspondence.
The Author edit
Described in Over The Front Journal as the “best informed current student of Frank Luke,” the author spent fifteen years researching Luke’s final moments. Skinner, who administrated the restoration of the Luke monument in November of 2000, has traveled repeatedly to France, Germany, Belgium and across the United States in pursuit of the source material for THE STAND.
The Book edit
Drawing on thousands of pages of unpublished material, on-site archeological work and interviews with the descendents of those involved, THE STAND: The Final Flight of Lt. Frank Luke, Jr. brings a fresh perspective to the topic.
THE STAND: The Final Flight of Lt. Frank Luke, Jr. is available through Schiffer Books. 320 pages, 364 photographs. Hard cover, large 8.5x11 format, acid-free stock, with original cover art by Russell Smith.
The Documentary edit
Onboard Images produced the documentary on the expedition entitled: The Search for THE STAND: Recreating the Final Flight of Lt. Frank Luke, Jr.
Filmed on location in France and Belgium, the documentary tells the story of the making of the book, and takes viewers on the author's final expedition to solve the mystery of Luke's death. Viewers join The Frank Luke Discovery Expedition as it leaves Brussels, heads south toward the old Meuse-Argonne theater on the western front, and hike deep into the forests where clues are unearthed that piece together what occurred in Luke's last moments.
The Painting edit
Award-winning aviation artist Russell Smith's original work of art entitled THE STAND depicts Frank Luke during the final, controversial moments prior to his death. The image will be featured as the cover art for THE STAND: The Final Flight of Lt. Frank Luke, Jr.