Explora Books Releases Century-Spanning Memoir 'Burning Desire to Fly'

The book chronicles the life of Charles Cone, a Navy aviator who served through World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:15am

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An abstract, hazy photograph composed of soft, golden light and blurred shapes suggesting an aviation scene, conveying the memoir's focus on a lifetime of flight.The memoir 'Burning Desire to Fly' offers a century-spanning account of one pilot's lifelong passion for aviation, from the biplane era to the modern day.NYC Today

Explora Books has published 'Burning Desire to Fly', a memoir by Charles Cone that offers a detailed account of his century-long life defined by aviation. Born in 1926 in rural New York, Cone overcame financial and physical barriers to pursue his passion for flight, serving as a Navy aviation cadet during WWII and continuing his military career through the Korean War, Cold War, and Vietnam. The book provides a grounded perspective on global history, with Cone recounting technical details of carrier landings and long-range patrol flights as well as observations on the rebuilding of postwar Asia and the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Why it matters

Burning Desire to Fly stands as a comprehensive documentation of a 100-year life dedicated to aviation, offering readers a unique window into the technical demands and personal sacrifices of a military flying career spanning some of the most pivotal conflicts of the 20th century. The memoir also provides a firsthand account of the social and political changes that shaped the era, making it a valuable historical record.

The details

The memoir follows Cone from his childhood in rural New York during the Great Depression, where his interest in flight was sparked by radio broadcasts and early pilots, through his service as a Navy aviation cadet in WWII and continued military career. Cone recounts the technical challenges of carrier landings and long-range patrol flights, as well as moments when engines failed or weather obscured the horizon. The book also offers Cone's observations on the rebuilding of postwar Asia, the poverty of the time, and the tensions of political shifts, including his account of the Cuban Missile Crisis from the tarmac. The perspectives of Cone's wife and children, who managed the frequent relocations and long absences of his military life, provide balance to the technical details.

  • Charles Cone was born on January 5, 1926 in rural New York.
  • Cone served as a Navy aviation cadet during World War II.
  • Cone continued his military service through the Korean War, the Cold War, and active duty in Vietnam.

The players

Charles Cone

The author of 'Burning Desire to Fly', a memoir chronicling his century-long life defined by aviation. Cone served as a Navy aviation cadet during World War II and continued his military career through the Korean War, Cold War, and Vietnam.

Jo Cone

Charles Cone's wife, who managed the frequent relocations and long absences inherent in Cone's military career.

Explora Books

The Vancouver-based publishing firm that released Cone's memoir 'Burning Desire to Fly'.

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The takeaway

Burning Desire to Fly offers readers a unique firsthand account of the technical demands and personal sacrifices of a military flying career spanning some of the most pivotal conflicts of the 20th century, while also providing a grounded perspective on the social and political changes that shaped the era.