'We Were Soldiers...and We Are Soldiers Still': Signed Books Available

'We Were Soldiers...and We Are Soldiers Still': Signed Books Available

The Authors Gen. Hal Moore and Joe Galloway Return to the Publishing Battlefield with FlatSigned Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Literally following in the footsteps he and his men took over forty years ago, Lt. Gen. Harold G. "Hal" Moore and his friend and co-author Joe Galloway have returned to Vietnam to the site of the legendary battle of Ia Drang and documented the visit in their new book, "We Are Soldiers Still," already hailed as a "sterling sequel" by Publishers Weekly and "a worthy and wise successor to one of the best books ever about combat in Vietnam" by Kirkus. Today "We Are Soldiers Still" was recently released in trade format and FlatSigned Press is also proud to announce that, today, this follow-up title will also be available in a rare, signed/limited edition format just like "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young." Both titles of these historic books are available exclusively in this leather- bound, signed and limited edition from FlatSigned Press of Nashville, TN. A few copies of the original title "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young" are available exclusively from www.flatsigned.com and FlatSigned Press is now taking pre-orders for the matching leather-bound, signed and limited edition of "We Are Soldiers Still" to be released by FlatSigned Press in 2009. The original book became a critically acclaimed, major Hollywood motion-picture and so may the second title. FlatSigned Press is proud to be a part of this historic publication. In addition to the entertainment, historic and personal value, these books can be good investments for the right collector/investor.

Signed, Limited Edition books, especially those bound in leather, have offered a great alternative to traditional investments. The recent astronomical increases in fine art and other collectibles has collectors, who are always advised to buy what they can also enjoy, searching for new ways of making profit and at the same time enjoying the ownership of fine, rare books. FlatSigned.com and FlatSigned Press, Inc. offers these collectors exactly what they are seeking. Having published the final book from the late President Gerald R. Ford, two from moon-walker Buzz Aldrin and many others, FlatSigned Press is also proud to be the exclusive publisher of two signed, limited editions from General Hal Moore and Joe Galloway. Many may not realize but collectible books can sell for millions of dollars and even the lower end collectible books can be good investments and, maybe more importantly, are a thrill to hold, share with family and friends and simply to have these beautiful collectible books adorn the family home. The value of many rare, first edition books have skyrocketed even during the slow economic times. For example, a 1960 Lippincott "To Kill a Mockingbird" signed by the author Harper Lee sold for around six-hundred dollars during the seventies but now commands a price tag of twenty to thirty thousand dollars. During the ten years FlatSigned.com has been in business, interest in and demand for rare and collectible books and autographs has exploded.

To a generation of military officers, Ia Drang is as well known as Bunker Hill or the Battle of the Bulge. Moore and Galloway's first book is still required reading in American military academies as a textbook case on courage under fire. The battle is well known to many Americans from the film version, "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young," starring Mel Gibson, and the movie takes very few liberties in telling the truthful stories of these American heroes. The Battle of Ia Drang took place November 14-18, 1965, when the men of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry were dropped into a small landing zone ("LZ" in military parlance) designated "X-Ray" at the foot of Chu Pong Mountain, 2 kilometers from the Drang River, as part of a "reconnaissance in force" to determine whether the Viet Cong forces which had recently attacked the Special Forces base at Plei Me were currently in that area. Moore, then a Lieutenant Colonel, and his command group were among the first to land with Captain John Herren's Bravo Company. Almost immediately thereafter, a VC soldier was captured and revealed that there were an estimated 1,600 troops on Chu Pong -- against which the US had only 200 soldiers on the ground at that point.

Four hours after the first landing, the troops were under heavy attack. What followed were four days of harrowing combat and incredible tales of heroism, among them that of Major Bruce P. Crandall who was just recently bestowed the Congressional Medal of Honor. In a very proud moment in FlatSigned history, a copy of the FlatSigned Press' "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young" was bestowed to Crandall at the same time as the ceremony where President Bush delivered the Medal of Honor. In this book the story of the first major battle of the Vietnam War is told and despite overwhelming odds, Lieutenant Colonel Moore managed to persevere, leading his men to safety through not only enemy fire but a near-death experience from friendly fire, when the first of two F-100 Super Sabre jets approached X-Ray and inadvertently dropped napalm on American lines, killing several American soldiers. The second drop was barely radioed off in time. Moore's dictum that "there is always one more thing you can do to increase your odds of success" and the perseverance and courage of his entire command are credited with this astounding outcome.

Tim Miller, Chairman of The FlatSigned Companies, learned General Moore's story through a friend who knew the General and lived close by him. Knowing that Miller specialized in collectible autographs and signed editions, his friend arranged the connection between Miller and Moore and his co-author Joseph L. Galloway, whose own story is hardly that of the typical "as told to" collaborator. "Galloway was a UPI reporter who ended up coptering into to LZ X-Ray because he was bored," Miller said. "He had no idea he'd end up behind enemy lines, never mind end up picking up a gun and fighting in a battle." Galloway was the only civilian awarded the Bronze Star during the Vietnam conflict, for his work rescuing wounded American soldiers under heavy enemy fire during the battle.

Miller, Moore and Galloway began an association that led from signed copies of the last Random House edition to the issuance by FlatSigned of a 3,000 copy limited, leather bound edition of "We Were Soldiers." Said Miller, "After we realized how popular the book was, we discussed the idea of the limited edition with General Moore and Joe, and they loved the idea." The three of them scheduled time and met in Butte, Colorado, where Moore and Galloway signed the editions; each edition includes a commemorative photo of the signing, a Certificate of Authenticity, dual holographic seals to permanently protect the history of the autographed editions and a registration card whereby the buyer of each book may register their ownership permanently within the archives of FlatSigned Press.

It was one of these original copies of the Signed/Limited "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young" which was gifted to Major Bruce Crandall during the presentation of his Congressional Medal of Honor by President Bush on February 27, 2007, via arrangements made by Major Crandall's son, Michael Crandall, with White House staff and FlatSigned. "FlatSigned Press was very proud and honored to be asked to be a part of such a wonderful occasion," said Miller. Major Crandall's copy was additionally autographed by President Bush for the recipient at the ceremony. "This title has been one of the fastest selling titles in our company's history but a few copies remain at www.flatsigned.com," said Miller recently. Each copy has silk moire end-sheets, gold edges and gold, foil stamping to the cover and spines along with raised bands and on the special, signed page the top bears the Combat Infantry Badge that so many veterans are so proud to know. In addition to thanking the authors, the dedication of the book reads:

"The work here is dedicated to those brave souls who served the United States of America and her citizens during the Vietnam War and especially to those who gave their last full measure to their country and their comrades. Welcome Home!"

"FlatSigned is pleased to announce we will be releasing a limited edition of 'We Are Soldiers Still' in 2009," Miller said. "This edition will match the look and feel of FlatSigned's edition of 'We Were Soldiers' in every way." Only a few hundred copies remain of FlatSigned's "We Were Soldiers," which was recently featured on QVC and other national promotions.

Miller's collaboration with General Moore and Joe Galloway even led to another FlatSigned limited edition, Randall Wallace's script for "Braveheart." "I got to know Wallace, who directed 'We Were Soldiers,' through General Moore," Miller said. "I'm pleased to present this edition of 'Braveheart' under the FlatSigned name. That title is available now and more information can be found at www.braveheartbook.com . We are proud to call General Moore and Joe our friends and look forward to this, our second book published from these two, great American's" said Miller.

Miller's formidable clients include U.S. Ambassadors, Senators, Cabinet members, and White House employees; and many of FlatSigned's books are housed in the collections of former U.S. Presidents and other world leaders. Miller himself has achieved elite status through such prestigious distinctions as being one of George H. W. Bush's 1,000 Points of Light recipients and being named to the Who's Who in America list seven consecutive years. A Lyndon Baines Johnson Scholar who has worked for Congress and as a White House Press Correspondent during the Jimmy Carter administration, Miller holds Certified Press Credentials from both the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives. In addition to selling rare books, Miller's company also publishes original, leather-bound commemorative copies complete with author signatures. These works include "Men From Earth" and "Encounter With Tiber" by Buzz Aldrin, "John F. Kennedy: Assassination Report of the Warren Commission" with revealing never-before-read comments by the late President Gerald R. Ford, "Invitation To The White House" by Hillary Rodham Clinton, "Braveheart" by Randall Wallace, and "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young" by Lt. General Hal Moore and Joe Galloway -- the latter of which was given by President George W. Bush to book protagonist U.S. Army Major Bruce Crandall upon receiving the Medal of Honor. Miller said that he built this aspect of his business on a competitor's model, and added a few twists of his own that he feels makes for a superior product. "I patterned my company after my only competitor, Easton Press. They're in the business of publishing leather-bound, limited, numbered editions. I was very impressed with their quality and I sought out their binder," Miller said. "Now, our books are bound and printed by the same companies, with moire patterned sheets, a built-in satin bookmark, gilded page edges, and gold stamping and raised hubs on the spines. We go the extra step and add a photograph of the author signing our books on the inside and a dual- hologram seal -- one on the signed page, and one on the certificate of authenticity. This way, only one book can match each certificate. It makes for a beautiful product."

These highly-collectible special editions are inventoried in some of the nation's most-renowned archives, including The George H. W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, The Kennedy Space Center, and The Gerald R. Ford Library, to name a few.

About FlatSigned Press

Founded in 1998, FlatSigned Press, Inc. is a rare book seller and publishing company specializing in the sale and publishing of rare and collectible books, signed first-editions, manuscripts, historical documents, art, and autographs. FlatSigned has worked with many of the world's most famous authors and notable figures including the late President Gerald R. Ford, astronaut and moonwalker Buzz Aldrin, and General Hal Moore, best known for his leadership during the battle of La Drang during the Vietnam War, well-detailed in the 1992 book "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young," which became the 2002 film "We Were Soldiers" starring Mel Gibson. The firm's catalog features autographed books from a diverse group of authors, including:

-- Supreme Court Justices Stephen Breyer, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Anthony Kennedy, Sandra Day O'Connor, William Rehnquist, Antonin Scalia, and Clarence Thomas;

-- Mercury and Apollo astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Alan Bean, Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper, Edgar Mitchell, and Wally Schirra;

-- Former United States Presidents (and presidential candidates) George H. W. Bush, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton, and Hillary Rodham Clinton;

-- As well as authors H. G. "Buzz" Bissinger, Ray Bradbury, Dan Brown, Vincent Bugliosi, James Lee Burke, Arthur C. Clarke, Joe Galloway, William Goldman, Richard Gordon, Sue Grafton, John Grisham, John Irving, Stephen King, Harper Lee, Cormac McCarthy, Larry McMurtry, Arthur Miller, Lt. General Hal Moore, Tim O'Brien, E. Annie Proulx, Anne Rice, Wilbur Smith, Nicholas Sparks, Hunter S. Thompson, Kurt Vonnegut, and Joseph Wambaugh.

Coined by legendary horror writer Stephen King, the term FlatSigned refers to the most desirable type of collectible book: One that is signed by the author directly on the title page without an inscription. FlatSigned has consistently earned annual sales in excess of $2 million and an EBITA profit of 30%. Additional information can be obtained from www.flatsigned.com or by calling 1-866-FLATSIGNED. The company is also currently being offered for sale by a business broker for a price of around five million dollars.

About Owner and Publisher of FlatSigned Press Inc., Tim Miller

Born to an impoverished southern family that had no running water until he was 13, Tim Miller has worked hard his entire life, becoming one of the most notable publishers and book collectors in the world. Throughout his illustrious career, the Lyndon Baines Johnson Scholar has served as White House Press Correspondent and worked directly for the U.S. Congress. He held Certified Press Credentials for both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. He has been honored with distinctions including Memphis, TN newspaper "The Commercial Appeal's" version of President George W. Bush's 1,000 Points of Light Award, named to Who's Who in America for seven consecutive years, and named to Who's Who in American Colleges four consecutive years. Always civic-minded, Miller has held distinctive positions including National Staff Officer for the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce, President of the Memphis Junior Chamber of Commerce, State Officer of the Tennessee Jaycees, and Executive Director of the Wisconsin Junior Chamber. A graduate of Austin Peay State University, he attended the Memphis State University School of Law and Western Washington State University. Miller has also held the post of Personnel Officer for St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital. His civic contributions have earned him the nationally-recognized Steve Little Memorial Award from the United States Jaycees.

As President and CEO of the multi-million dollar autographed book company and publisher FlatSigned Press, Inc., Miller consistently lends his expertise to television, radio and newspaper personalities and journalists researching the historical accounts and contemporary values of rare autographed books. He is a contributor to "The Sanders Price Guide to Autographs," the definitive price guide for autograph collectors, and many other trade and consumer autograph publications. He maintains memberships in the Better Business Bureau, The International Society of Appraisers, The Manuscript Society and the Universal Autograph Collectors Club, and has been featured in various programs and publications including cable television channel QVC, the Gordon Liddy Show, and national network news. Additional information can be obtained from www.flatsigned.com.

Source: FlatSigned Press

CONTACT: Tim Miller, President and CEO, FlatSigned Press, Inc.,
+1-615-268-5245, timmiller@flatsigned.com

Web site: http://www.flatsigned.com/
http://www.braveheartbook.com/

NOTE TO EDITORS To request an interview contact Tim Miller, President and CEO, FlatSigned Press, Inc., +1-615-268-5245, timmiller@flatsigned.com

-------
Profile: intent