Aviators are people who have to fly because it is who they are. To them it is a mix of art and science and something to be pursued to perfection.
—Steve Williams, The Couriers of Herodotus
For a thousand pilots there are a thousand stories, and Steve Williams has researched many. As an aviator himself, he is intimately familiar with the intricate dance between man and sky, and has shared his own and listened to many other stories from countless pilots over the years. However during flight layovers, he found himself captivated with a different story that needed telling… that of the early airmail pilots who proved aviation could be a reliable commercial venture. What was born out of his curiosity and research was a captivating historical fiction novel that invites aviator enthusiasts and readers alike into a journey through the evolution of commercial flights.
Take your seat and prepare for takeoff into a world where the sky is not the limit—it’s just the beginning.
The unwritten Code of the Air directs aviators to come to the aid of all who share the sky. But does this obligation end even when man-made wings become eternal ones?
Ever since he could remember, Tom Rawlings has had his sights set on becoming a pilot. Growing up around a small-town airport, he soaks up everything he can about flying from the ragtag community of pilots who become his makeshift family. But his dreams are almost cut short after a near-fatal midair collision, one that was only avoided by the wise words of a mysterious man, Richard Clarke. He’s a gone-but-not-forgotten pilot legend and becomes Tom’s mentor.
As Tom moves from awed rookie to commercial airline captain, he soon learns that his dream job comes with real life-or-death stakes, and being a pilot is about much more than just technical skills. As he advances in his career, he finds himself guided by unexplained encounters with mysterious airmen from bygone days known as the Couriers. Even as aviation technology progresses, the timeless wisdom of the Couriers endures. Drawn into a secret fraternity, Tom questions how far he will go to decipher the mystic signs and join the ranks of the dead who never fully depart.
Based on actual events, The Couriers of Herodotus maneuvers into the balance between age-old wisdom and technology, community and solos, and aviation’s past and future. Soar along with Tom and rediscover the magic that first took flight in the pioneering days of aviation. With vivid historical detail and dashes of high-flying fantasy, this is a novel for dreamers of all ages.
About Steve Williams
Obtaining a private pilot’s license before his senior year in high school, Steve Williams dived into aviation after graduating college. Armed with a Music Education degree which is atypical in the industry, he honed his aviation skills in Miami, securing advanced licenses and ratings. His flight path led to Chalk’s International Airlines, where he flew Grumman Mallards to the Bahamas, marking the inception of his airline career.
Steve’s aviation journey weaved through the Allegheny Commuter regional airline system, PEOPLExpress, Continental, and United Airlines. He rose from Boeing 727 check airman to Fleet Manager, leaving his mark in the Flight Standards department. After enjoying six years as a Boeing 737 Captain, he embraced a new role as an Assistant Chief Pilot. After returning to Flight Standards he served as 737 Fleet Manager, and Senior Manager for the 757 and 767 fleets. Steve’s passion ignited in interdepartmental projects, amplifying operational prowess. His aviation tenure culminated in roles as a 757/767, 787, and 777 Captain, an awe-inspiring conclusion to a soaring career.
Steve and his wife Nancy live in Spring, Texas. They are currently having an 1803, Federal-period historic home in Damariscotta Mills, Maine, repaired, restored and updated as a seasonal home to avoid the hot Houston summers.
Invite Steve to Speak
Steve’s research in the evolution of aviation left key insights that are the basis of his sought-after speaking engagements. Levering his own personal stories, leadership skills, and knowledge of the commercial airline industry, Steve offers keynotes, webinars, and lectures on topics including:
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