Discover how Long Island’s North Shore played a pivotal role in the 1919 transcontinental air race, a defining moment in American aviation history. In The Great Air Race, John Lancaster vividly recounts how World War I veterans braved treacherous weather, mechanical failures, and perilous landings to compete for the title of the fastest man in America. Through their rivalries and tragedies, Lancaster reveals how these fearless aviators captivated a nation and laid the groundwork for modern aviation, reclaiming their rightful place in history.

Lancaster, a veteran journalist, spent 20 years at the Washington Post, including eight as a foreign correspondent in Cairo and New Delhi. An amateur pilot and aviation enthusiast, he drew on his passion for flying to write his first book, The Great Air Race, even retracing the 1919 race route in a small plane.

Light refreshments will be served.