Amelia Earhart (Paperback)

by Doris L. Rich (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly
With a combination of daring and adroit public relations, Amelia Earhart reigned as "Queen of the Air" during the period between her first transatlantic flight in 1928 and her untimely disappearance over the Pacific nine years later. This fast-paced, richly detailed biography reveals an aloof, independent woman who grimly endured the public clamor and cross-country lecture circuit in order to fund her desire to fly. In 1931 she married her publicist, George P. Putnam, whose brash schemes to capitalize on her aviation feats became increasingly foolhardy, leading up to her final, fatal effort to fly around the world. The author shows Earhart was also a tireless champion of women's rights, pacifism and commercial aviation, which was still in its infancy. While some questioned her aptitude as a pilot, few denied the promotional appeal of this attractive "Lady Lindy." Rich, whose varied career has included journalism, photography and teaching, vividly reminds us how primitive and dangerous early flight was. Illustrations not seen by PW.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
Earhart's life is the stuff of legend. First woman to fly across the Atlantic alone, lost during her around-the-world voyage without a trace, she is still thought of as a heroine and role model. Through Susan Van Dusen's reading, listeners learn about Earhart's childhood as a daredevil who loved the father who eventually became an alcoholic; they hear about her first flying experience and how her looks and intelligence helped her earn her place on the first transatlantic flight. Also discussed is her marriage to G.P. Putnam and her support of women's rights. Of special interest is her suggestion that women be drafted to fight in wars just like men. She worked tirelessly to encourage the development of commercial air travel, suggesting that it would eventually be as commonplace as trips by train. Though this audiobook is well written and provides much information on Earhart, it would be better suited to a format where patrons could see pictures of the aviator as well as others mentioned in her story and see the bibliography and footnotes that accompany this well-researched portrait. The CD format is also problematic: it's very hard to stop in the middle and pick up where one left off. For biography, women's studies, and American history and culture collections.DDanna Bell-Russel, Library of Congress
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 321 pages
• Publisher: Smithsonian Press (October 17, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1560987251
• ISBN-13: 978-1560987253
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #578,751 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The persistent dream, March 18, 1998

By	Jeff Hobbs ([e-mail]) (Washington, D.C. (USA)) - See all my reviews

We live a World where every new technology is ogled at, studied, and reviewed months before it is on the market. We spend our time trying to find faster and easier ways to do things in the future. In a world like this, the past is given very little thought. I very much doubt your Wall Street sharpie could tell you a lot about the War of 1812, or the St. Valentine's Day massacre.

But the past is not lost. There are a few incidents, which remain with us today. One of these history-making events that are in the minds of all of us is the legacy of Amelia Earhart. She is with us because her dream and her story are eternal. Hers is the story of a hero. A woman venturing on a path that many of her male counterparts would never dare. But this book not only relates the heroic tale of this woman, but the dream she left us with. The dream of an existence that was not always cut and dry. Not just a Lawyer, or a accountant, or a housewife. We could be anything, if we reach for it, and feel it strongly enough in ourselves. And as her dream has persisted through the decades, so has her story, and her sprit.