Barry S. Martin

Barry S. Martin graduated from the College of William and Mary,earned a M.A in History at the University of Washington and a J.D. from UC Berkeley. He lives in Sacramento with his wife, Carolyn, and cocker spaniel.

After winning a trip to China in 1988, he discovered Royal Leonard's 1942 memoir about his adventures as Chiang Kai-shek's personal pilot. This book launched Barry into years of research and interviews with Leonard's family and others connected to dramatic events during the Golden Age of American Aviation and in war-torn China (1935-1943).

Martin signed FORGOTTEN AVIATOR at the Smithsonian Air & Space Museums and at the Museum of Flight in Seattle.

As a local teenager, the author saw the subject of his second biography, BOB DAVIES: A BASKETBALL LEGEND, stun Rochester Royals fans with his fast break, behind-the-back dribble and innovative passes. According to the NBA Hall of Fame, Davies was "the first Super Star of Modern Professional Basketball". Davies became an All-American playing for Seton Hall, and served as a naval officer in World War II before turning pro. The author's research confirmed that Davies was a genuine role model. For example, he roomed with the team's African-American player on the road months BEFORE Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. Martin enjoyed his extensive research and interviews with family and former NBA players that revealed colorful stories of the early NBA.