One in a Thousand: The Life and Death of Captain Eddie McKay, Royal Flying Corps

"Professor Broad’s extensive notes on how to identify relevant source materials, how to pose questions, and how to assemble a book into a coherent story are invaluable."

Dana Lombardy, World War One Illustrated, July 2018

"Broad offers a very important study of both the history and historiography of one pilot’s experiences in the RFC during two of the most critical years of the air war over the Western Front. The relevance of his work is not confined to aviation or military history scholars but the non-specialist reader as well. His academic research, unique methodological approach, and use of primary and secondary sources are first-rate."

Thomas G. Bradbeer, US Army Command & General Staff College, First World War Studies

This well-written and deeply researched microhistory offers a detailed biography of one of Canada's most important fighter pilots from the Great War, Captain Eddie McKay. But the author goes far beyond a traditional biography. He skillfully weaves through the book a robust defence of the historical process as he lays out the writing of the history with its successes and failures, investigative victories, and time-consuming historical dead ends. This forensic deconstruction of historical methods, tools, and approaches is first class. Tim Cook, Canadian War Museum

One in a Thousand is a fascinating piece of historical detection that brings Eddie McKay to life but also speaks volumes about what historians do and how they treat evidence. It works on many levels: as a sensitive and revealing biography, as a primer in research methods, and as an essay on the philosophy of history. But most of all, it's just a great read about a promising young man whose life was cut short. Jonathan Vance, Distinguished University Professor, Western University

A fresh approach that incorporates the historian's craft into the writing of history, with an eye for detail that brings alive the life of a First World War Canadian pilot. Mary Chaktsiris, Wilfrid Laurier University