 In the Author Spotlight:
Bryce D. Gibby, author of
Valiant Young MenProfessionally, Bryce D. Gibby is an aviator. However, for thirty years his avocation has been to work with youth and young adults. "We all tend to emulate those whom we regard as heroes, but this is especially true of young men," he says. In his new book Valiant Young Men, he examines the character of three heroes of flight.
Bryce believes that more than ever, young men need to be exposed to the lives of noble role models-men of heroic accomplishment and profound faith. "I wrote this book to do exactly that-to put before the reader, in an exciting and entertaining manner, the true life stories of three very different young men-who in the most extreme and challenging circumstances overcame incredible odds. In doing so they achieved true manhood," he says.
A life-time of research went into writing Valiant Young Men - Heroes of Flight, the second in a series of books that profiles notable young heroes and heroines. "The first work Valiant Young Women - Heroines was very enjoyable to write, but was certainly distant from my personal life experiences," Bryce explains. "On the other hand, Valiant Young Men centers on my life-long love of flying. I not only draw from the records of the amazing early-day saga of aviation, but from my own thirty years and 12,000 flight hours flying biplanes to jets. I believe I can relate somewhat to the great air voyages of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry - and convey a more meaningful adventure to the reader."
"In the traditional sense of research, the reader will find this work carefully annotated with more than three hundred references from the foremost authorities on the men, the era and the events," Bryce says. Additionally, he traveled to Germany and France and photographed many of the notable sites in the book. He has also been allowed to visit the homes of Saint-Exupéry's youth, the Château Saint-Maurice de Remens and the Château de la Mole in the south of France. "I also interviewed the grandchildren of Captain Eddie Rickenbacker and the daughter and son-in-law of Major James Norman Hall, wonderful people who helped immeasurably in writing an accurate work."
Throughout his adult life, Bryce has worked a great deal with youth and young adult groups, as a counselor, advisor, and motivational speaker. He has also lectured in hundreds of civic and religious conferences, including the Atlanta Police Academy, public and private schools, and diverse denominations, from the eastern shore to the west coast. "I make myself available for these events, as I passionately believe that the lives of these heroes and heroines have tremendous relevance today," he says.
Bryce is married with a wonderful family and through the years has greatly enjoyed a number of pets from cats to horses. "I am foremost a dog lover. My boyhood companion was a true and faithful crossbreed that lived over twenty years," he says. When not flying, he loves to back-pack with his wife Jean and to travel, especially with family and friends.
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