Forgotten Souls: The Search for the Lost Tuskegee Airmen
Cheryl Thompson
(Kensington, 2026)

The Tuskegee Airmen are legendary. Though these first African American aviators in the US Armed Forces were hailed for their patriotism and skill, it took years of pressure from civil rights groups and the Roosevelts before these men could attend the famed flight school and serve in WWII. Tragically, many from the 332nd Fighter Group never returned, nor were they honored by the government for decades. Forgotten Souls shines a light on 27 of the Tuskegee Airmen who vanished in combat during WWII, preserving the stories of their lives, struggles, valiancy, and legacies.

This event is presented in partnership with Delaware Historical Society and Southern Delaware Alliance for Racial Justics (SDARJ).

About the Author
Cheryl Thompson is an Emmy and Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative journalist who teaches investigative reporting at George Washington University. She was a reporter for the The Washington Post for 22 years before joining NPR as a correspondent. A Chicago native, she lives outside DC.

Purchase the book
Please help support local independent bookstores by purchasing this book at Browseabout Books, official bookseller of the History Book Festival. Online sources and digital versions are tempting; however, supporting local brick and mortar shops helps to preserve our vibrant main streets. Drop by Browseabout, order books online, or call the store at 302-226-2665. You also may purchase a copy at biblion in Lewes.

About the Festival
The History Book Festival is the first and only book festival in the United States devoted exclusively to history. With the help of our presenting funding partner —  The Lee Ann Wilkinson Group, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices | PenFed Realty — as well as our program and community partners, volunteers, and donors, the 2026 History Book Festival will be full of great discussions with authors of newly published narrative nonfiction and historical fiction. 

Thanks to all our donors, especially our education and outreach funding partners: Carolyn & Aaron Nayer, Jen Mason & Clare Hancock, the Red Wagon Foundation, and Browseabout Books. HBF authors visit classrooms in Delaware, and HBF provides their books to schools, libraries, and community organizations.

Our Keynote event is presented by Griswold Home Care for Sussex & Kent Counties and Groome Church; our Closing event is presented by the Delaware Community Foundation. The Spirited Discussion, our gathering for attendees and presenters to celebrate and discuss their day, is presented by Dogfish Head Beer & Benevolence.

Special thanks to our Program Partners for their continuing support: the Lewes Public Library for event promotion and production; Browseabout Books in Rehoboth Beach, official bookseller of the History Book Festival; and Historic Lewes for event promotion and author hospitality. Thanks also to the Lewes Chamber of Commerce for event promotion, and the Cape Gazette and Delmarva Public Media, our media partners.