MALIBU, California (April 19, 2010) – Author Jacqueline Bridgeman will be signing copies of her aviation classic “The Lonely Sky” (iUniverse) at the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books at UCLA, Saturday and Sunday, April 24-25. She co-authored the critically acclaimed book (Henry Holt & Co.) with her late husband, Bill Bridgeman, who became America’s premier experimental research test pilot. “The Lonely Sky” is the powerful personal story by the record-breaking pilot written in first person in the form of a novel. Bridgeman will appear at Booth 232, Zone B from 12-4 pm each day. Proceeds from sales of her book will be donated to Doctors Without Borders.
“I hope my book will help inform people about the heroic efforts of early space exploration by my late husband Bill, Chuck Yeager and their fellow test pilots,” Jackie said. “Space flight today would not be possible if it were not for these incredible men who were the pioneers into the unknown. They were true heroes – and today, more than ever, the world needs heroes that can be inspirational to our young people.”
Bill Bridgeman made nationwide headlines in the early 1950’s when he piloted his stiletto-nosed Skyrocket to Mach 2 speeds, claiming altitude and speed records (79,494 feet and 1,238 mph) to become “the fastest man in aviation” and capture records previously held by Yeager. Bridgeman’s flying feats led to his appearance on the cover of Time Magazine on April 27, 1953.
/CONTINUED NEXT PAGE
Page 2 – THE LONELY SKY
About the Authors:
Jacqueline Hazard Bridgeman is co-author of “The Lonely Sky” with celebrated test pilot Bill Bridgeman whom she married after their book was published. She is an experienced reporter, and although she had never flown, she had an extraordinary talent for describing the technical aspects and the sensations of test flights in smooth, compelling prose. She is the editor of “Huxley and God,” a book of essays published by HarperCollins. Until recently, she was the president of the Malibu Stage Co., a renowned 99-seat theatre established 19 years ago with Charles Marowitz in Malibu, California.
After the war, Bill Bridgeman left the Navy, restless and seeking action. Soon after he joined Douglas Aircraft as an engineering test pilot. He was asked to take over the final stages of the Skyrocket testing program. The Skyrocket, a javelin-shaped experimental rocket-powered ship, was a challenge for him, and “The Lonely Sky” is the story of his day-by-day life with the plane. He eventually reached Mach 2, breaking Chuck Yeager’s records in the X-1, a record he held for two years as “the fastest man on earth.” Bill Bridgeman died in an airplane accident in 1968.
*********
For further information, please contact:
Gene Schwam Bob Mazza
Hanson & Schwam PR Hanson & Schwam PR
(310) 248-4475 (310) 994-4847
[email protected] [email protected]
Krista Gugliotti
Asst. to Gene Schwam
(310) 248-4488
[email protected]
