William Hanchett with Thomas F. Hanchett - Disgracefully Easy - Virtual Book Tour

A B-24 Pilot’s Letters Home

Memoir/WWII History

Date Published: May 27, 2025

Publisher: Acorn Publishing

In this posthumously published collection of letters and postal cards, William “Bill” Hanchett shares his candid experiences as a flight-school cadet, and later as an Army Air Forces pilot in command of a B-24 Liberator bomber during World War II.

Through Bill’s first-hand accounts, we learn that mastering the art of flying during wartime is about more than understanding engine throttle and airspeed. It’s about wondering when you’ll be called to fight and if you’ll be asked to betray your ideals. It’s about working hard and documenting the days, dreaming about the future, and longing for home.

An extraordinary primary document, Disgracefully Easy offers us a rare glimpse inside the military in the 1940s, a time when Americans worried about the fate of their great country and looked to the brave and courageous to deliver them from fear. This unique collection will be long remembered as an important addition to the annals of aviation history.

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Virtual Book Tour - May 26 - June 27

May 26 - RABT Book Tours - Kick Off

May 27 - Book Junkiez - Excerpt

May 28 - The Faerie Review - Spotlight

May 29 - On a Reading Bender - Review

May 30 - The Avid Reader - Interview

June 2 - Momma and Her Stories - Excerpt

June 3 - Sapphyria's Books - Spotlight

June 4 - The Indie Express - Review

June 5 - Book Corner News and Reviews - Spotlight

June 9 - Interesting Authors - Guest Post

June 10 - Crossroad Reviews - Spotlight

June 11 - Salt and Novels - Excerpt

June 12 - Our Town Book Reviews - Spotlight

June 13 - A Life Through Books - Interview

June 17 - Matters That Count - Spotlight

June 18 - Nana's Book Reviews - Spotlight

June 19 - Novel News Network - Review

June 20 - My Bookmarked Reads - Spotlight

June 23 - Liliyana Shadowlyn - Spotlight

June 24 - My Reading Addiction - Interview

June 25 - Tea Time and Books - Spotlight*

June 26 - Texas Book Nook - Review

June 27 - RABT Reviews - Wrap Up

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Thomas F. Hanchett

Now retired from federal civil service, Thomas Forster Hanchett holds a bachelor’s degree in government and two master’s degrees, one in history and one in public administration. In 2016, after his father Bill’s death, he found over three-hundred letters Bill had written during WWII. Given Tom’s interest in military history, it seemed only natural that he be the one to edit and present his father’s letters in manuscript form. Tom has also written historical and educational articles for various publications. A native Californian, he resides in North San Diego County.

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William Hanchett

William “Bill” Hanchett (1922-2016) grew up in a wealthy family in Evanston, Illinois. His father lost his municipal bond company business during the Great Depression, changing their family’s lifestyle drastically. Bill attended Black Mountain College, but his time there was cut short because of World War II. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces, rising from private to second lieutenant, and then to airplane commander of a B-24 Liberator bomber. After the war, he continued his education, worked as a civilian historian for the U.S. Air Force, and taught history for over thirty years at San Diego State University. Bill authored numerous articles and historical books, including The Lincoln Murder Conspiracies (1983). He loved living in San Diego, California, where he spent time sailing on the bay.

Social Media Links

Website: thomasfhanchett.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tom.hanchett.3 (Tom Hanchett)

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/119304413-thomas-hanchett

Instagram: @historiantom (Thomas Forster Hanchett)

Purchase Links

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Disgracefully-Easy-B-24-Pilots-Letters/dp/B0F6VMP6XP

B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/disgracefully-easy-william-hanchett/1147351248

Giveaway

1 $25 Amazon gift card

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