James Charles Smith
James Charles Smith is a talented author who embarked on a journey from journalism to engineering before finding his true calling as a novelist. Born in Texas, he traveled widely as a US Air Force brat and then with his own wife and kids. He first attended college at the United States Air Force Academy and resigned during his first year, which is the inspiration for this story. He is a graduate of the Missouri School of Journalism from the University of Missouri. Following journalism school, he worked for various newspapers before settling down in television production. He worked for ten years as a writer, editor, cameraman, and producer/director, but it’s a family tradition to change one’s mind.
To better provide for his family, James returned to school for an engineering degree. As both an engineer and engineering manager, his duties included the writing and publishing of technical reports, engineering investigations, and training materials. Serving as a consultant to the Electric Power Research Institute, he edited their report on the instrumentation and control upgrade plan for the commercial nuclear power industry. Currently, he lives with his dog, Abel, in the foothills of Georgia’s Blue Ridge Mountains. Flightless Falcon is his first novel.
Books by James Charles Smith
NYC Big Book Award, Distinguished Favorite in the Historical Fiction Category
American Fiction Award, Finalist — Historical Fiction
Interstate 70, April 1969
Only a year into the Air Force Academy, Sam Roberts has resigned. His father is furious. His mother is understanding but unsupportive. As for him, well . . . Sam doesn’t really know what to think anymore. All he knows is that he doesn’t believe in the US’s involvement in the Vietnam War and can’t be part of it any longer.
Leaving both his girlfriend and the Academy behind in Colorado, Sam hitchhikes his way down Interstate 70 all the way home to Missouri. Along his way, he’ll meet people from all walks of life: four Hispanic youths driving to a quinceañera, retired WWII vets who have differing opinions on the war, a hippie who just left the service, and a couple from California. Each brings their own perspective to both the Vietnam War and American ideals. As for Sam, he’ll end up sharing more than just a ride—the exchange of ideas will set him on the course he was always meant to be on.
Inspired by his own experiences, James Charles Smith’s debut novel Flightless Falcon presents the varying nuances of American political beliefs during the late 1960s. Through Sam’s interactions between people’s perceptions on war, life, and love, Smith creates a narrative that reveals pivotal history through this coming of age story, transporting readers to a place where soul-searching is possible.