John F. Ross
Biographer and Non-Fiction Author


John F. Ross’ most recent book is Enduring Courage: Ace Pilot Eddie Rickenbacker and the Dawn of the Age of Speed, a narrative non-fiction book for St. Martin’s Press. The Wall Street Journal called his previous book, War on the Run: The Epic Story of Robert Rogers and the Conquest of America’s First Frontier (Random House, 2009), “a lively, evocative and moving biography.” Formerly the editor of American Heritage and Invention & Technology magazines, he is the recipient of the 2011 Fort Ticonderoga Award for Contributions to American History. Before that he was on the Board of Editors of Smithsonian magazine, during which he wrote four cover stories.

 

On assignment Ross has dogsledded with the Polar Inuit of northwest Greenland, lived with nomadic Khanty reindeer herders in Siberia, chased scorpions in Baja, and dived 3,000 feet underwater in the Galapagos for Smithsonian, gone technical mountain climbing in Siberia for the National Geographic, and explored old castles in Europe for The Discovery Channel. His organization of the most northern canoe trip into the Arctic earned him membership in the Explorers Club of New York.

 

He has appeared on more than 50 radio and television programs, keynoted a dozen conferences around the country, and given talks at the Explorers Club of New York, NASA’s Ames Research Center, the Pritzker Military Library, and the Smithsonian Institution.

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Hardcover, Audio,ebook
Enduring CourageAce Pilot Eddie Rickenbacker and the Dawn of the Age of Speed
St. Martin’s Press

For the first time, Enduring Courage peels back the layers of hero to reveal the man himself. With impeccable research and a gripping narrative, John F. Ross tells the unforgettable story of a man who pushed the limits of speed, endurance and courage and emerged as an American legend.

The astounding life of Eddie Rickenbacker, World War One’s Ace of Aces

How Robert Rogers invented Special Operations 250 years ago



Praise for Enduring Courage: Ace Pilot Eddie Rickenbacker and the Dawn of the Age of Speed

"Fast-paced...With just the right amount of technical detail, Mr. Ross evocatively captures the excitement of the racetrack, where the driver had to contend with 'gumbo'-thick clouds of dust and gravel thrown up by the wheels... Mr. Ross's book does an excellent job portraying how the reality of air combat differed from the romantic notions, advanced at the time, of a noble contest between modern knights in the sky."
— Wall Street Journal

"Ross is at his best when he writes about Rickenbacker grappling with risk and adversity...the book is a riveting account of the dawn of the age of speed."
— Dallas Morning News

"A brisk and informing read... [Ross'] engaging new book, surveying the risky realms of racing and air wars, reminds the reader how fast the world changes — and how much remains the same... Rickenbacker’s life provides ample grist for thrilling narrative (and gruesome detail). Yet serving the good purposes of history, Mr. Ross artfully strikes resonances between eras...Portraying the ultimate daredevil in an age of daredevilry, Mr. Ross wrings out as much excitement as the material holds in describing Rickenbacker’s violent worlds."
— Washington Times

"Energetic... Exciting... Ross sweeps readers along in Rickenbacker's thrilling tale."
— Kirkus

“Excellent turnout for Mr. Ross's program! He was a pleasure to host, we enjoyed the program very much. Thank you for all of your hard work in arranging the event. Everything was wonderful!”
- Hudson Library