The book by Nova Hall
Spirit and Creator: The True Story of Donald A. Hall
Discover the evidence-based true story of Donald A. Hall, the mysterious engineer who designed Charles Lindbergh’s legendary aircraft in just 60 days.
Written by his grandson, Nova Hall, Spirit and Creator was sparked by the 1999 discovery of a forgotten family steamer trunk—a revelation featured nationally on TLC’s The Hunt for Amazing Treasures. Packed with original blueprints, rare photographs, and unedited history, this is the definitive archive that forces the world to finally recognize aviation's quiet architect.
The book and the Collection
Inside Spirit and Creator
The Forgotten History: Step past the Lindbergh myth. Discover the untold narrative of the 1927 transatlantic flight through the personal photographic lens of the mysterious Brooklyn engineer who designed an aircraft built for ultimate survival.
- Rare Archival Evidence: Explore decades of family research alongside authentic 1927 correspondence, photographic negatives, and drafting blueprints recovered from a forgotten WWI-era steamer trunk.
- Interactive Digital Integration: The historical journey doesn't end on the final page. The book connects directly to the online Donald A. Hall Estate Collection, allowing you to interactively explore the raw archival records and source trails as we build toward the historic May 2027 centennial.
What is Spirit and Creator about?
More than just a biography, Spirit and Creator: The Mysterious Man Behind Lindbergh’s Flight to Paris is the definitive historical record of the engineering genius who made the transatlantic crossing possible. Through meticulous research, author Nova Hall connects the legendary 1927 flight directly to the people, high-stakes design work, and raw archival evidence that defined the aircraft.
The historical journey doesn't end on the final page. The story continues online in the Donald A. Hall Estate Collection, where photographs and engineering records can be explored alongside the biography of Donald A. Hall Sr.. While the book provides the foundational narrative, these digital archives invite you to step directly into history, retaining their original captions, context, and source trails.
"The truth will come out, eventually"
Secure Your Place in Aviation History
Join the Spirit100 Pre-Order Waitlist
Our final remaining inventory of the original signed softcovers is extremely low. Once these last copies are claimed, all new reservations will automatically secure your spot on the exclusive Spirit100 Centennial Edition waitlist.
Guarantee your copy—featuring a new ISBN and exclusive silver centennial seal— By securing your place on the paid waitlist today as we build toward the May 2027 anniversary.
How to Secure Your Copy ($75):
- Step 1: Submit Your Request. Use the secure link below to initiate your reservation. The inquiry form never collects payment information.
- Step 2: Concierge Confirmation. Before payment, Flying Over Time confirms inventory, shipping destination, fulfillment, payment instructions, and the applicable written tax disclosure.
- Step 3: Finalize & Lock In. Once you submit your payment, your place on the waitlist is officially locked in. (Please note: the full $75 should not be assumed tax-deductible).
About the Author
Nova Hall
Nova Hall is an author, public speaker, and the President of Flying Over Time. His journey into historical preservation began with the discovery of his grandfather's forgotten steamer trunk—an archive that contained the original 1927 blueprints for the Spirit of St. Louis. This discovery changed his life and propelled him into writing his first book, Spirit and Creator: The Mysterious Man Behind Lindbergh's Flight to Paris.
Combining his professional training in archival photography with his passion for education, Nova authored Spirit & Creator to set the historical record straight. Today, he leverages that incredible legacy to inspire the next generation, transforming historical archives into active youth STEM programs, drone flight stations, and FAA Part 107 ground schools. When he isn't speaking at aerospace forums or advancing non-profit initiatives, he is at work on his next book detailing the profound leadership lessons born from the 1927 transatlantic crossing.
Check the sources
Read further
- Download PDF of Donald A. Hall's Report from NASA: Technical Notes #257 (opens in a new tab)
- Google Books: Spirit & Creator (opens in a new tab) — bibliographic record for Nova Hall’s 2002 book.
- Read Nova Hall's Introduction — the author’s account of beginning the research on Donald A. Hall.
- Donald A. Hall on Wikipedia (opens in a new tab) — a secondary overview whose references include Spirit & Creator. For archival research, follow its citations and compare them with the original records.
- Read our comprehensive organizational overview, recently presented at the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. (opens in a new tab)
- Donald A. Hall's Home movie (opens in a new tab)
Coming Soon - Early Access to the Hall PRE archives Ask about research access to the Premium Digital Exhibit - Contact our team at info@flyingovertime.org to get pre-access to how we are bringing Donald A. Hall alive in the age of ai.
About the Author
Explore more of the Donald A. Hall Estate and Flying Over Time Art Collection
Photographs, technical records and family-held material connect the book’s account to the Donald A. Hall Estate Collection
Support beyond the shelf
The book preserves a story. Your support helps make the evidence useful to the next generation.
Our final remaining inventory of the original signed softcovers is extremely low and expected to sell out quickly. Once these last copies are claimed, all new reservations will automatically secure your spot for the exclusive Spirit100 Centennial Edition.