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44 reviews
Good read but a bit too much legalize.
This is a very fine look at the Wright brothers work in developing the first true heavier than air flying machine. The book is a very interesting and fact filled read about not only the brothers but also their father, sister and also Glenn Curtis who became their primary competitor. I did learn a lot about the entire Wright family and about some of the interesting ways they developed the knowledge required to be the first to fly.
The book has some very nice photos (some I had not seen before), of themselves, their family and their flyers A in the air and on the ground. The book gets 4 stars from me only because it goes into very great detail concerning the Wrights lawsuits against Glenn Curtis (and others) concerning their patent infringement claims.
While the legal issues did in fact end up taking up far too much of their time and energy, I would have liked to have read more about the mechanical workings of the Wrights and others aircraft and the amazing early flights they (and others) made. Overall, a must read for anyone interested in learning more about two of the most important inventors of the 20th century if you don't mind slogging thru all the detailed legalize.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: treasures1118
The great McCullough stumbles ...just a bit
Let me just say it: I believe David McCullough to be a national treasure and u eagerly awaited this book . However, as I worked through the first few chapters, I could not help but think the work was unusually (for McCullough ) superficial and lacking in the degree of detail o have been used to from his works.
I finished the book in just a couple days and seldom put it aside to reflect o. The topic or his handling of it-it just didn't stile me as substantial history.
I have not read much about the Wright brothers in the past so perhaps they just aren't a riveting biographical topic (which given their impact on history would be hard to accept)...but regardless, I I was left feeling a bit short changed on such a potentially zing topic.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: gohastings
Great book of Air flight in history.
Excellent start of aviation history and it's birth, great author, give a sense, of realism, and a sense of what the Wright bros went tt
Through in establishing men to fly.
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: sd-hardrocker
An accurate historical read but makes you feel like your are there.
Only on pg50 but hooked. I've spent time in Kitty Hawk NC and read lots about the Wright Brothers but David McCullough delves into the personal lives and inter-relationships between the brothers and their sister. His writing brings it to life......I love it. The beauty of this book as well as other of his is it's an accurate historical read but makes you feel like your are there; historical reading that's fun. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in aviation history and/or life at the turn of the century.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: thrift.books
Great book by a great author
David McCullough is my favorite author. I have read most of his books...can't wait to get started with this one!
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: second.sale
Wright Brothers in Detail
The author researched a wealth of correspondence written in the day by the WRIGHT FAMILY members and details their struggle to be recognized as the first inventors of the airplane, and why their airplane was sent to France to be on display for several years.Read full review
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The Wright Brothers by David McCullough
David McCullough writes a compelling story not only about the achievement of motorized flight by Orville and Wilbur Wright but details their brilliance and resilience in their quest to make the first successful airplane. The Wright brothers face a doubting public, past calculations about flight that must be completely revamped and competition from others who are funded by governments and large personal coffers. They view each failed attempt to build and fly their airplane as a way to improve their prototype and their abilities as pilots. The book brings to life the grandeur of the machine and the unrelenting will of two men who never give up their dream. Read full review
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The Wright Brothers
Interesting historical book told as only David McCullough can. Nice emphasis on Katherine Wright who was very much part of the story. McCullough gives the reader a good sense of what it would be like at the turn of the century in people and places. Good read, as all of McCulloughs books are, highly recommended.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: thrift.books
Great history
I thought I knew a good bit about the Wright Brothers - not true. After reading David McCullough's detailed account of these two icons, I almost feel like I had sand from the dunes at Kitty Hawk in my shoes. Not only does the author provide immense detail concerning Wilbur and Orville, but covers family mmbers equally well and their part in making this era in Dayton and points east come to life in words and images. A historical novel - yes, but more importantly an American story of perseverance, ingenuity and plain hard work.....what USA means.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: carolina_katz
Everything is Right with The Wright Brothers
To me, this is David McCullough's best book. The Wright boys and their family are brought to life by this beautiful narrative, so well researched and yet not overwhelming in detail. Great pictures too. But this book is as much about American values in the early 1900s as it is about the invention of the airplane. Be sure to get a copy of it!Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: second.sale