Customer Reviews

The Sound of Wings: The Life of Amelia Earhart

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I have always wanted to read a biography of Amelia Earhart and, after searching various reviews, I learned that this biography is judged by many to be the best. I can wholeheartedly support this recommendation. Mary Lovell does an excellent job of 'getting under the skin' of both of her main characters: Amelia and George Putnam. She presents a completely fair and level-headed account of both of their lives allowing just enough commentrary into her narrative to enable one to conclude that, yes, maybe Amelia wasn't the best woman flier of her generation, but she was certainly the bravest. And, yes, she was pushed forward into the limelight by George but it was Amelia who wanted to be there in that limelight. I came away from this gripping narrative feeling alternately an enduring admiration for Amelia and her bravery, and an underlying pity for her because it seems to me that a lot of her drive arose from feelings of low self-worth arising from growing-up with a loser, alcoholic father. Maybe, like a lot of brave and famous people, she was driven to succeed by low feelings of self worth and was never really happy. That is a sad thought. In any event, she did a huge favour for the female sex in making them realize that their dreams could be realized. It was notable female figures like Amelia, along with the impact that the second world war had on women in the workforce, that changed the history of women forever.

A fascinating read - funny that this definitive account of an American female legend was presented by a British writer!

(by E.M. Singer, author of "Mother Flies Hurricanes")This well-written, thoroughly researched biography of Amelia Earhart focuses more on her life than on her death, which is what she would have wanted anyway. It debunks certain time-held assumptions about Earhart's personal and professional life, and sheds new light on her character and relationships. Contrary to conventional wisdom, Lovell holds that Amelia's husband, George Putnam, was not a manipulative, self-aggrandizing promoter who drove her to her death. There was genuine affection and mutual respect in their marriage. Though their relationship was not free from tension and cross-purposes, Amelia drew inspiration and support from him to realize her dreams. A good chunk of Lovell's book is a biography of George himself, and don't skip it-he's a fascinating person in his own right. The Sound of Wings also presents a fascinating picture of Amelia's early years: her half-idyllic, half-traumatic childhood, and her desperate seeking for inner peace and a place in the world. The author expounds unsparingly, yet tenderly, on Amelia's flaws, demons, and scars. She also gives a clear-sighted and balanced assessment of the various theories for Earhart's disappearance, yet does not allow it to overshadow her life. For more recommendations on books about women pilots, visit the motherflieshurricanes[...] website.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from cover to cover. No detail was spared in the writing of "The Sound..."

The book covered Amelia Earhart's life from birth to her ill-fated final journey.

Amelia Earhart was instrumental in introducing women to flying and taking them out of their 2nd class citizenry.

The author sparred no details and captured what life was like in those times. The flying pioneer's life was chronicled with all of her loves and her refusal to accept 2nd best.

Her husband, George Putnam, was given (rightly) the credit for making Amelia Earhart a household name.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written, all inclusive biography.

The Sound of Wings, is an amazing book and biography about an amazing woman named Amelia Earhart. She lives in the pages of this book just as the author brought her to life through her wonderful storytelling. I recommend this book to anyone looking to read about a life of adventure

I've read a dozen or so biographies of Amelia Earhart, and Lovell's is by far the best. It is the most comprehensive, the most thoroughly researched, and best written of the lot. Lovell doesn't stoop to speculation or rumor in place of facts. Highly recommended.

MY ADULT SON & I WERE GOING TO KANSAS CITY FOR THANKSGIVING AND WE DECIDED TO VISIT AMELIA'S BIRTHPLACE AND I WANTED TO READ UP ON HER
STORY AND HER TERRIBLE LOSS. VISITING THE MUSEUM WAS A TRUE EXPERIENCE, WE WERE THE ONLY VISITORS AND IT WAS AMAZING. SHE WAS AN AMAZING WOMAN,
SO VERY FAR AHEAD OF HER TIME AND ITS SAD TO THINK SHE COULD HAVE CHANGED WOMENS' EXPERIENCE HAD SHE LIVED LONGER. WHO KNOWS WHAT SHE COULD HAVE ACCOMPLISHED. A MUST READ FOR THE AMELIA LOVER!

This is the best biography of AE that I have found to date, although my only complaint is that the author reaches a bit when declaring such statements as: (paraphrased) "One can only surmise that AE had difficulty with the family's state of affairs, at her tender age". Other than that, it is a fair and balanced report, and it is WONDERFUL that the author has repatriated George Putnam. This is a vital read for anyone interested in AE's life.

When picking up "The Sound of Wings" in search of a biography of Ms. Earhart, I assumed it would be as sufficient as any other - what I found instead was a tour de force of the life and times that created an aviation legend.

Despite the famous names, daring exploits and record breaking endeavors that fill its pages, the most remarkable thing about this work is the author's mastery of her trade. Intensive research and perhaps the most skillful use of primary sources that I've ever encountered are balanced by Ms. Lovell's tact and graceful handling of her subject. She neither shies away from nor sensationalizes the intrigues, betrayals, heartbreaks and triumphs of Amelia and her husband George Palmer Putnam. Her judicious tone carries throughout the book, bringing these and other historic celebrities to life in honest and very human terms.

I was continuously astonished by how little I actually knew about this aviatrix who has been a household name since decades before I was born. I was just as appalled by the number of commonly accepted "facts" that were nothing more speculation, rumor, bitter lies spread by opponents or the result of carefully crafted publicity campaigns.

Perhaps one of most impressive aspects of this work was the author's ability to keep people and events grounded in the greater framework of the national and international events unfolding around them. Readers follow Amelia and her contemporaries not only through both world wars and the Depression, but through the technological and avian advances occurring in leaps and bounds around them, actively shaping and reshaping their lives and adventures.

I have never been one to follow an author, but Ms. Lovell may start in me that habit! I highly recommend this work, even if you have little specific interest in aviation. With the mentions that Amelia Earhart continues to receive even now, you will find plenty to rivet your attention here.

My daughter was very pleased to receive this gift for Christmas. Thanks for the quick delivery!

This is an entertaining and informative bio on Amelia Earhart. Flows well, and has a lot of extra info in the back.