Shadow Before the Flame
$38.00
Skip to product information
"Narrative history at its best."
--Air Mail The gripping, definitive history of the Hindenburg disaster, the rise of the Nazis, and the road to World War II as never before told On the evening of May 6, 1937, the majestic German zeppelin Hindenburg arrived before cheering crowds in Lakehurst, New Jersey, when suddenly, a titanic inferno lit up the sky. Thirty-four seconds later, the greatest airship ever to take flight was gone, destroyed in a ferocious blaze and eternally seared into historical memory. Acclaimed historian Catherine Grace Katz unites groundbreaking research with thrilling narrative that situates this famous disaster squarely on the collision course between the decade's two prevailing currents. The Hindenburg began as a symbol of hope and progress, a gleaming technological marvel in the nascent age of aviation. But soon, the airship of dreams became a propaganda tool powering the rising Nazi regime. In this sweeping drama, Katz illustrates the story of the Hindenburg through the captivating passengers and crew caught in the grip of fate: an adventurous heiress, a renowned vaudeville star, a Chicago industrialist with German Jewish roots, an esteemed zeppelin captain, and a young cabin boy on his first voyage to the United States. Meanwhile, on the ground, two intrepid journalists' reporting on the Hindenburg fundamentally changed breaking news, paving the way for modern media. In this rigorously researched, ticking-clock account, Shadow Before the Flame offers a portrait of an era when illusions of peace, fueled by the hubris of invention, hovered in suspended time as the clouds of an inevitable war loomed on the horizon. Above all, it is a story of humanity and of lives forever changed by a moment that served as a harbinger for the global conflagration yet to come.
Shadow Before the Flame
$38.00
Unit price
$38.00 each
Description
--Air Mail The gripping, definitive history of the Hindenburg disaster, the rise of the Nazis, and the road to World War II as never before told On the evening of May 6, 1937, the majestic German zeppelin Hindenburg arrived before cheering crowds in Lakehurst, New Jersey, when suddenly, a titanic inferno lit up the sky. Thirty-four seconds later, the greatest airship ever to take flight was gone, destroyed in a ferocious blaze and eternally seared into historical memory. Acclaimed historian Catherine Grace Katz unites groundbreaking research with thrilling narrative that situates this famous disaster squarely on the collision course between the decade's two prevailing currents. The Hindenburg began as a symbol of hope and progress, a gleaming technological marvel in the nascent age of aviation. But soon, the airship of dreams became a propaganda tool powering the rising Nazi regime. In this sweeping drama, Katz illustrates the story of the Hindenburg through the captivating passengers and crew caught in the grip of fate: an adventurous heiress, a renowned vaudeville star, a Chicago industrialist with German Jewish roots, an esteemed zeppelin captain, and a young cabin boy on his first voyage to the United States. Meanwhile, on the ground, two intrepid journalists' reporting on the Hindenburg fundamentally changed breaking news, paving the way for modern media. In this rigorously researched, ticking-clock account, Shadow Before the Flame offers a portrait of an era when illusions of peace, fueled by the hubris of invention, hovered in suspended time as the clouds of an inevitable war loomed on the horizon. Above all, it is a story of humanity and of lives forever changed by a moment that served as a harbinger for the global conflagration yet to come.
Book Details
- ISBN
- 9780593832189
- Binding
- Hardcover
- Authors
- Catherine Grace Katz
- Publisher
- Viking
- Published Date
- September 22, 2026
- Language
- English
- Pages
- 496
- Physical Info
- 1.66 in H x 9.19 in L x 6.21 in W (1.49 lb)
Shipping Policy
We offer flat-rate shipping of $5.95 on all standard orders within the contiguous United States.
Orders are typically processed within 1–2 business days and delivered within 4–7 business days from purchase.
Once your order ships, you will receive a tracking number via email. Please allow 24–48 hours for tracking updates to appear.
Refund Policy
All sales are final. We do not accept returns or offer refunds except in rare circumstances. Please reach out to us with any questions or concerns regarding your order.
If your item arrives damaged, defective, or incorrect, contact us within 60 days of delivery with your order number and photos of the item/packaging. Approved claims will receive a free replacement (refunds only if replacement is unavailable).
Authorized returns are accepted only in rare cases at our discretion and may be subject to restocking fees.
Unauthorized returns and returns after 60 days will not be accepted.