Mercenary airman Frank G. Tinker Jr. graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1933 and served as a flying ace in the Spanish Civil War. Coming from a working class background, he was equally comfortable with enlisted men and officers, left-wing literati in Europe, and rural folk of the American South. This biography describes Tinker's combat experiences and his command of a Soviet squadron in the Spanish Civil War under contract with Spain, offering insight on how the Spanish air war was fought and how the international aviators who flew for the Spanish Loyalist cause conducted themselves, perceived their role, and interacted with both the Spanish military system and the Soviet leadership of the Loyalist air arm. The book also describes his life on return to the US and the mystery surrounding his death in 1939. The book contains b&w historical photos, a chronology of the Spanish Civil War, an appendix on military airplane markings of the war, and a list of Tinker's publications and aerial victories. Smith has written a previous book on history. Hall is emeritus chief historian of the National Reconnaissance Office. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)