SEIU member ANDREI CHERNY has written a new book, The Candy Bombers: The Untold Story of the Berlin Airlift and America’s Finest Hour. It’s a remarkable tale of one of the American pilots who helped fly food and supplies to the German city after the Russians blocked land access to West Berlin in 1948.
Andrei, an Arizona assistant attorney general, came across the story of Gail “Hal” Halvorsen, one of the first pilots to fly cargo planes into Berlin 60 years ago this summer. Halvorsen started collecting as much gum and candy as he could and he and his crew used the planes emergency flare chute to launch the goodies in handkerchief “parachutes” to kids on the ground.
Halvorsen’s commander liked the idea and by the end of the airlift, he and other air crews had dropped 23 tons of candy on Berlin.
Here's an update on Andrei's now-VERY busy schedule -- including a visit to The Colbert Report:
Dear Friends, Family, and Colleagues:
Three weeks after publication, The Candy Bombers continues...to take off. Sales and buzz are continuing to grow. What I've heard back from old and new friends is that some people like it as a history of an exciting and largely unknown moment in our past, others as a story with some very memorable characters, and still others for its contemporary resonance as a reminder of when America was doing the right things as a country and was beloved for it by people around the world. For excerpts, photos, book blog, and other information, check out: www.thecandybombers.com.
But now The Candy Bombers is about to get its toughest test: I'll be going one-on-one with Stephen Colbert on "The Colbert Report" this Thursday, May 15. Wish me luck...I'll need it. Check local listings.
Thanks to all who've read the book and have let me know what you think. If you haven't gotten your own copy yet, I'm so sure you'll like it that I'm offering a money back guarantee. (Even if you don't read it, the book makes an excellent paperweight or dining room centerpiece). And remember, while Scurvy Awareness Day has passed, Father's Day, Graduation Day, and National Hamburger Day are fast approaching: http://thecandybombers.com/cherny-buy.htm
The book has been lucky enough to receive some generous praise and reviews: from the Washington Post express ("everything one could want from a work of history - engrossing, informative and stirring"), the Dallas Morning News ("a successful work of popular history...an enjoyable, timely narrative"), Kirkus Reviews ("writing with the flair of a novelist"), Walter Isaacson ("an exciting, inspiring, and wonderfully-written book"), and Douglas Brinkley ("reminds me of Stephen Ambrose at his best.")
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| A good crowd was on hand to meet Andrei Cherny at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe. The author signed copies and read from his book, The Candy Bombers, then took questions from the audience. C-SPAN was on hand to tape the event for an upcoming Book TV. |