October 1, 2026

Celebrating the latest work of an International Churchill Society board member

The International Churchill Society is delighted to celebrate the publication of Shadow Before the Flame: The Hindenburg Disaster and the Prelude to War, the highly anticipated second book by historian, bestselling author, and ICS board member Catherine Grace Katz, released in the United States on September 22.

Catherine is well known to Churchill enthusiasts for her acclaimed debut, The Daughters of Yalta, which explored the historic 1945 conference through the experiences of Sarah Churchill, Anna Roosevelt, and Kathleen Harriman. A longtime member of ICS who joined our Board of Directors in 2024, Catherine has also been an active participant in our conferences and programs.

In her new book, Catherine turns her attention to one of the most dramatic disasters of the twentieth century. On May 6, 1937, the German airship Hindenburg burst into flames as it approached its landing in Lakehurst, New Jersey. Moving beyond the familiar images of the catastrophe, Catherine examines the people aboard the airship, the technological ambitions of the era, and the growing influence of Nazi propaganda against the backdrop of a world moving toward war.

We congratulate Catherine on this exciting achievement and look forward to welcoming her to Philadelphia for the 2026 International Churchill Conference, where attendees will have an opportunity to connect with her and celebrate her latest contribution to historical scholarship.

Learn more about Catherine Grace Katz and her new book here!

Many of this year’s Churchill Conference speakers are also distinguished authors. Explore our speaker book list and order a book in advance to bring to Philadelphia. Many authors will be available for book signings during the conference, making this a perfect opportunity to add a personally signed volume to your Churchill library. Click here to make your purchase.