“A Convenient Villain: Charles A. Lindbergh’s Remarkable and Controversial Legacy Preparing the U.S. for War“, is a new biography of Charles Lindbergh written from a unique perspective: a Jewish aerospace engineer.
Speaker: Jonathan D. Reich, MD, M Sc Engineering

Charles Lindbergh may be the most controversial figure of the Twentieth Century. His pioneering flight across the Atlantic Ocean, the kidnapping and murder of his son, and his political advocacy made him one of the most famous men of his era. His legacy is clouded by apocryphal stories, allegations of anti-Semitism and racism, and efforts to ignore his contributions to American security and society. The constant repetition of allegations, without analysis, has resulted in generations of Jews being convinced that he was evil.

The truth is much more complicated and nuanced. While Lindbergh opposed Jewish interests in the run-up to World War II, he never denied the right of Jews to advocate nor minimized German oppression. He canceled visits to Germany as a protest after Kristallnacht, he was the only man who negotiated with the Germans who addressed Jewish grievances, and he used his influence to try to get Jews out of Germany.

A Convenient Villain traces Lindbergh’s contribution to U.S. preparation for World War II, his scientific advances, and his advocacy. Lindbergh’s pre-World War II advocacy is judged from a distinct vantage point: a Jewish generation that matured after the Six-Day War and carried forward a newly confident, less insecure American-Jewish identity as a result. Lindbergh’s legacy is compared to President Roosevelt’s, who obstructed Jewish immigration to the U.S. There are surprising lessons to be learned for those concerned with today’s anti-Semitism.

Dr. Jonathan D. Reich is a cardiologist on the faculty at Johns Hopkins and Stanford Schools of Medicine. He was an aerospace engineer prior to going to medical school. He has spoken about Lindbergh’s legacy at the Mayo Clinic, the National Museum of Health and Medicine, the Missouri Historical Society, and various World War II and aerospace museums. He has been invited to speak at the ceremonies commemorating the 100^th anniversary of Lindbergh’s trans-Atlantic flight in May 2027.

Part of Northwest Neighbors Village Virtual Speaker Series.