Gossamer Odyssey: The Triumph of Human-Powered Flight [Paperback]

Morton Grosser (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1991

Tells the story of the historic flight of the Gossamer Albatross, a spindly, feather-light craft which on June 12, 1979 became the first human-powered aircraft to cross the English Channel. Recent 100th anniversary of manned flight has heightened interest in the basics of flight. Author Grosser covers the history of human-powered flight including the various unsuccessful efforts in Europe (Italy, Germany, and France) following World War I as well as programs in England and Japan following World War II. The development and flight of the first successful human-powered aircraft, the Gossamer Condor, is covered in great detail. Grosser, who was a member of both of the Gassamer teams, provides an expert account that is fully accessible to the layperson and demonstrates how the channel crossing was an incredibly challenging undertaking despite the earlier success of the Condor. The Gossamer Albatross's human-powered flight from England to France across the Channel was a trumph of both man and machine.About the AuthorMorton Grosser is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (B.S. and M.S.) and Stanford Universtiy (Ph.D.). Author of seven books and numerous technical papers, his writing has also been published in The New Yorker, Harper's, and The Atlantic. Dr. Grosser is a management and technology consultant based in Menlo Park, California.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 298 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications (April 1991)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0486266451
• ISBN-13: 978-0486266459
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,649,322 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As one of the Condor crew, I think this book was the best., April 21, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Gossamer Odyssey: The Triumph of Human-Powered Flight (Paperback)

Morton Grosser came to Shafter and to our homes while we were trying to build the first man-powered plane. He wrote a book that centered on the people that were working, thinking and arguing towards the goal. If you want a feel of what it was like to do something for the first time ever, read this book.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must for any aviation buff., June 7, 1998

By 

Don F. Erwin "earlyflyer" (Amherst, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Gossamer Odyssey: The Triumph of Human-Powered Flight (Paperback)

This was a very informative book and gave lots of insight into the hugh effort that must have gone into this age-old quest. The focus at the personal level gives a nice picture of what the individuals must have gone through. Makes you think "Hey, I could have been there..." Very enjoyable.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating story of man powered aircraft, July 15, 2011

By 

MavenDog "MavenDog" (Houston, Tx) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: GOSSAMER ODYSSEY (Hardcover)

If you have any aviation interest, you will like this story. Paul MacCready was a remarkable aviation innovator whose unconventional, out-of-the-box thinking won the Kremer Prize; a prize awarded the designer of the first man-powered aircraft to fly in a figure eight one-mile circuit. The book is well written, and you will share the ups and downs of the development process experienced by MacCready and his team. He went on to win the Kremer prize for the first man-powered flight across the English Channel. You will really admire the pilot Bryan Allen.