The #1 New York Times bestseller from David McCullough; two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize—the dramatic story-behind-the-story about the courageous brothers who taught the world how to fly—Wilbur and Orville Wright.On a winter day in 1903; in the Outer Banks of North Carolina; two brothers—bicycle mechanics from Dayton; Ohio—changed history. But it would take the world some time to believe that the age of flight had begun; with the first powered machine carrying a pilot. Orville and Wilbur Wright were men of exceptional courage and determination; and of far-ranging intellectual interests and ceaseless curiosity. When they worked together; no problem seemed to be insurmountable. Wilbur was unquestionably a genius. Orville had such mechanical ingenuity as few had ever seen. That they had no more than a public high school education and little money never stopped them in their mission to take to the air. Nothing did; not even the self-evident reality that every time they took off; they risked being killed. In this “enjoyable; fast-paced tale†(The Economist); master historian David McCullough “shows as never before how two Ohio boys from a remarkable family taught the world to fly†(The Washington Post) and “captures the marvel of what the Wrights accomplished†(The Wall Street Journal). He draws on the extensive Wright family papers to profile not only the brothers but their sister; Katharine; without whom things might well have gone differently for them. Essential reading; this is “a story of timeless importance; told with uncommon empathy and fluency…about what might be the most astonishing feat mankind has ever accomplished…The Wright Brothers soars†(The New York Times Book Review).
#6082340 in Books 2015-05-30Original language:English 9.29 x .71 x 6.14l; .84 #File Name: 1473845564160 pages
Review
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful. in the families and adventurers brave enough to travel across the ocean for a chance at a better life. Most of them didn't makeBy Scott A. WaldynThere's a warm heart hidden in the holds of this cold; wet; rough; and deadly nonfiction chronicling of a little-known disaster. It's in the meticulously researched passengers who were on the RMS Tayleur as it went down; in the families and adventurers brave enough to travel across the ocean for a chance at a better life. Most of them didn't make it; but from the survivors; we are given stories to hear and lives to witness.This book was written with great care. Part analysis of a tragic shipwreck that maybe shouldn't have happened; and part glimpse into the backgrounds and desires of the people on board; it's a book that manages to echo the struggle of each man; woman; and child on board that vessel. It hits home as the author; Gill Hoffs; scribes the known records and history of as many people listed on that ship as she could find. Combined with newspaper articles; documented accounts from the survivors; and various other records; it's a well-rounded voyage beyond the abyss of what happened that fateful day.It's not just facts. It's human.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Very well written and researchedBy D. CovingtonFirst; I must say that I was ignorant of the existance of the RMS Tayleaur. As one reviewer said; the book grabs you by the heart and won't let go and I too will always remember it. The book is well researched and well written. The black and white newspaper clipping illustrations from Illustrated London News are somewhat haunting especially 'The Poor Man's Friend'. I highly recommend this book and I wouldn't worry about the "Spoiled by silly things" review. There are some similarities betwen the RMS Titanic and RMS Tayleur; for example they were both large steell ships that were lost on their maiden voyage. The author mentions the RMS Titanic only 5 times in the whole book. As far as the Table of Contents with only the chapter numbers and affecting their research; I too do a lot of research. Probably 98% of the books I buy are for research and I rarely use the table of contents; ever! I use the Kindle app's "bookmark" and note taking feature exclusively as they are way more efficient that using Chapter titles. I would have liked some diagrams of the ships layout etc.; but they may not exist anymore.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Very good read on a little known historical eventBy Patrick C. WeidingerVery good read on a little known historical event. I like that the author did not try to stretch this out to fill 500 pages. He told the story in a crisp fashion in about 300 pages; which is all that was needed. Well done.
