A fascinating account of the life of one of the century's great eccentrics - the brilliant Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Born in 1900 of impoverished aristocracy, he swiftly developed a mania for aviation, despite his chaotic mind and total technological incompetence. He flew reconnaissance missions in the War and wrote some strange and wonderful books, including the classic children's story THE LITTLE PRINCE, between theatrically executed airplane crashed. He died in the air in 1944, and his brief life instantly acquired mythical status. 'Every facet of Saint-Exupery's short and dramatic life is covered in this fascinating biography. This is Stacy Schiff's first book, but she writes with all the skill, assurance and mastery of an old literary hand. If there was such a thing as a prize for a first biography, I would nominate this book. ' Frank McLynn, SUNDAY TELEGRAPH.

A beautiful piece of writing, supremely poised, drawing so effortlessly from its research that it is difficult to believe Schiff wasn't an eyewitness * Observer *
A remarkable biography; indeed, it is impossible to imagine a job better done. * The New Yorker *

Stacy Schiff was educated at Phillips Academy and at Williams College. She lives with her husband and their two children. Saint-Exupery, her first book, was shortlisted for the 1995 Pulitzer Prize. Schiff is a 1996 Guggenheim Fellow.