Tony Garel-Frantzen

Tony Garel-Frantzen was born and raised in Chicago and graduated from DePaul University magna cum laude with a degree in Psychology. He began writing biographies in 2015 following a successful career as an award-winning newspaper reporter and editorial cartoonist, public relations consultant, and senior corporate communications executive for a number of Fortune 500 companies.

As an author, Tony has a passion for discovering and honoring untold stories about ordinary people who use their unique gifts to live extraordinary lives. Previous biographies include: Full Measure of Devotion—The Stirring Story of Illinois Native Philip Leckrone—One of the Few American Eagle Pilots to Fight in the Battle of Britain (Hellgate Press-2020); Hoosier Aviator Paul Baer: America’s First Air Combat Ace (The History Press-2017), and; Slow Ball Cartoonist: The Extraordinary Life of Indiana Native and Pulitzer Prize Winner John T. McCutcheon of the Chicago Tribune (Purdue University Press-2016). His three previous non-fiction books have been recognized for their meticulous research and craftsmanship by numerous organizations, including the Indiana Bicentennial Commission, the Marion County (Illinois) History Society, the Indiana Historical Society, Fort Wayne History Center, Flight Journal Magazine, and Traces Magazine.

Nightmare in Nanking (Hellgate Press-2023) is Tony’s first work of historical fiction. He and his wife live in southwestern Florida, and have three grown children and two grandchildren.