"Sharing can be a way of healing. Grief and loss can isolate,
anger even alienate. Shared with others, emotions unite
as we see we aren't alone. We realize others weep with us."
~Susan Wittig Albert

Through our writing, we walk out of the darkness into the light
together, one small step at a time, recording history, educating
America, and we are healing.
~CJ/Todd Dierdorff



Thursday, May 8, 2014

Book: "The Sky Behind Me: A Memoir of Flying & Life"

by Byron Edgington


Biblio Publishing (May 2013)
Paperback, Kindle, ebook
304 Pages

About the Book:

The Sky Behind Me: A Memoir of Flying & Life is an aviation memoir, and much more. It's about life balance, resilience, grace and the necessity we all feel to take off again regardless of how hard we crash.

The author had a childhood dream of the missionary priesthood. After abuse in a Catholic seminary at age fourteen, he was dismissed, his dream taken away. 

He was drafted out of college at the height of the war in Vietnam, entered flight school and served for a year in the war. The irony is rich: He'd dreamed of anointment to the priesthood, then a posting to an exotic land where he would meet people who needed his help, and serve them. 

Instead, he was anointed a Warrant Officer in the Army, sent to an exotic land, where he looked for those same people and assisted in killing them.

The Sky Behind Me is a true "lemons into lemonade" story of one man's resolve to use his skills as a pilot to fulfill the altruistic impulses of his childhood, and he succeeds beyond his wildest imaginings.

Buy at Amazon


Reviews:

“… makes me ready and waiting for Byron Edgington’s next book.” ~Timothy Hurley

“It’s nostalgic and endearing and touching and sentimental and contains some great stories.” ~Buzz Malone

“Well written with character description and dialogue that points a colorful picture.” ~Harrison Jones

“My criteria for a good book are: It must be technically clean (spelling, punctuation, grammar), it must be stylish (whether transparent style or effectively odd), and it must immerse me in its world. The Sky Behind Me meets all these requirements …” ~Marian Allen

“… this book will enlighten, fascinate and keep your mind focused and thinking about what Byron Edgington presents in this fascinating, thoroughly enjoyable memoir. Wonderfully written, highly entertaining... simply a damn good read.” ~Kevin W. Johnson

“Without a doubt the best book I've read in 2014, and I am to books what the average American is to the television set … well done, Byron.” ~Don Wills

“The author provides a very clear honest look at his life in the service and as a pilot and his thoughts in each event. I was able to relate to his experiences very easily.” ~Greg Mudd

“…This is one of the few books that I have read lately that, when I reached the last page, I was disappointed that there weren't more chapters.” ~R. Ratliff



Byron Edgington/101st Airborne Ret.
About the Author:

Byron Edgington is a retired commercial helicopter pilot and recent graduate of The Ohio State University. He received his Bachelors in English from OSU in June 2012 at age 63. 

Edgington's most recent book is titled The Sky Behind Me, a Memoir of Flying and Life, which is based on his 40 year career in aviation.

Byron Edgington is the winner of The Bailey Prize for non fiction for his essay titled 'Lift Off', in which he writes about caring for his dying father. It was published in the 2012 edition of the Chrysalis Reader offered by the Swedenborg Foundation Press. 

His works in progress include a family memoir, working title Growing up Crowded, or When I was Eleven and Waiting for Willie Pete, a Helicopter Novel of Vietnam.  It will be finished ... someday. [See his website for more publishing credits.]

Byron Edgington is a father, step-father and grandfather. Married to his best friend, Mariah, he lives and writes in Columbus Ohio.

Byron's Website
Byron's Blog


"I used to live in the sky; now I write about it." ~Byron Edgington


“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do, and by the grace of God, I will.” ~Everett Hale

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