| Description |
ix, 325 pages : illustrations, map ; 25 cm |
| Summary |
"The trans-Atlantic air race of 1927 and the flight that made Charles Lindbergh a hero. The race to make the first nonstop flight between the New York and Paris attracted some of the most famous and seasoned aviators of the day, yet it was the young and lesser known Charles Lindbergh who won the $25,000 Orteig Prize in 1927 for his history-making solo flight in the Spirit of St. Louis. Drawing on many previously overlooked sources, Bak offers a fresh look at the personalities that made up this epic air race--a deadly competition that culminated in one of the twentieth century's most thrilling personal achievements and turned Charles Lindbergh into the first international hero of the modern age... Examines the extraordinary life and cultural impact of Charles Lindbergh, one of the iconic figures of the twentieth century, and his legendary trans-Atlantic flight that captured the world's imagination. Explores the romance of flying during aviation's Golden Age of the 1920s, the enduring mystique of the aviator, and rapid technological advances that made for a paradigm shift in human perception of the world. Filled with colorful characters from early aviation history, including Charles Nungesser, Igor Sikorsky, Rene Fonck, Richard Byrd, and Paul Tarascon. History and the imagination take flight in this gripping account of high-flying adventure, in which a group of courageous men tested the both limits of technology and the power of nature in pursuit of one of mankind's boldest dreams"--Provided by publisher. |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 297-311) and index. |
| Contents |
Prologue: Instant fame--or flaming gasoline -- "We've come to fly the Atlantic" -- "Where does France come in?" -- "The ace with the wooden leg" -- The fortune of the air -- Slim-- Giuseppe, the gypsy, and the Junk Man -- Revving up -- Against the prevailing winds -- Come to Earth -- Little silver plane -- Paris au printemps -- A stout heart does not fear death -- Limbo -- Hunting dragons -- We two -- "Viva l'Amérique!" -- "Lindbergh is our Elijah" -- Two more across -- The Atlantic no longer exists -- Epilogue: Restless spirits. |
| Subject |
Aeronautics -- Competitions -- History -- 20th century.
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Transatlantic flights -- History -- 20th century.
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Aeronautics -- United States -- History -- 20th century.
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Aeronautics -- History -- 20th century.
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Lindbergh, Charles A. (Charles Augustus), 1902-1974.
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Air pilots -- United States -- Biography.
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Air pilots -- Biography.
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| Added Title |
Lindbergh and the great Atlantic air race |
| ISBN |
9780471477525 (hbk. : acid-free paper) |
|
0471477524 (hbk. : acid-free paper) |
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