Book Description
Flight is now so universal that it reaches into every corner of life, from transportation and commerce to diplomacy and defense. Great Aviators and Epic Flights celebrates 18 of the most significant flights of the twentieth century. Beginning with the Wright Brothers at Kitty Hawk, the book traces spectacular technological achievements and feats of human courage through the milestones of flight - Louis Bleriot crossing the English Channel in 1911, Charles Lindbergh and The Spirit of St. Louis, and Valery Chkalov's transpolar flight originating in Russia, to name a few. Also included are insights into how aircraft have been used to bring both destruction and salvation, and to expand knowledge of the Earth and its inhabitants. Von Hardesty's thoughtful text and over 350 stunning color and black-and-white vintage and contemporary photographs give the reader an exhilarating ride through a rich history.

First Sentence:
THE AIR AGE began at wind-swept Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903-a flying machine, crafted by Orville and Wilbur Wright, lifted into the air under its own power, moved forward without any loss of speed, and landed on ground as high as that from where it had taken off. Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
aerial trek, transpolar flight, great aviators, research plane, air hero, historic flight, air age, epic flight, initial leg, black pilots, transcontinental flight, air victories, takeoff run Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
United States, World War, New York, English Channel, New Guinea, Graf Zeppelin, Gossamer Albatross, Tan Son Nhut, Breitling Orbiter, South Vietnamese, Igor Sikorsky, Ilya Muromets, Kitty Hawk, Charles Lindbergh, Los Angeles, North Pole, Enola Gay, Peter Riedel, Soviet Union, Wright Flyer, Grand Valley, Bryan Allen, Dick Rutan, Fat Man, Gossamer Condor New!
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover | Surprise Me!

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