The Wright Brothers
The Aviation Pioneers Who Changed the World
Published on 1. October 2003
Book
Hardback
416 pages
978-0-316-86144-1 (ISBN)
Description
The conquest of the air at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on 17 December 1903 was one of the supreme achievements of the 20th century. Two unknown American bicycle mechanics, Wilbur and Orville Wright, launched that day the first successful powered aeroplane, changing the world for ever. On the centennial of the historic first flights, biographer Ian Mackersey offers this study of the lives of these eccentric geniuses. Their brilliance unlocked the secrets of mechanical flight to realize one of man's oldest dreams. Mackersey brings to life a family swept up in the fame, jealousies and law suits that exploded around them - the domineering figure of their father, Bishop Milton Wright, whose church wars raged distractingly alongside the process of invention, and their feisty, adoring sister, Katharine, whose marriage led Orville never to speak to her again. Mackersey's narrative also explains accessibly, the aerodynamic breathrough that had defeated inventive minds for centuries.
Reviews / Votes
On 17 December 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright launched the first successful powered aeroplane, ensuring a place for themselves in the history books, and changing the world forever. Acclaimed aviation biographer Ian Mackersey tells the story of the former bicycle mechanics. It's a fascinating tale of fame, lawsuits and jealousy, involving the domineering figure of Bishop Milton Wright, their priest father, and Katherine, their adoring sister whose marriage led Orville to never speak to her again. Well researched and accessible, Mackersey succeeds in bringing to life these colourful characters and the age in which they lived. Published two weeks prior to the centenary of the Wright Brothers' first manned flight, this book provides a handsome souvenir of the occasion and is sure to do well with the attendant media attention.More details
Language
English
Place of publication
New York
United States
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 153 mm
Weight
990 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-316-86144-1 (9780316861441)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Ian Mackersey is a writer and documentary film- maker, whose biographies of the beautiful reclusive pilot Jean Batten, the 'Garbo of the Skies', and of Charles Kingsford Smith, were highly acclaimed.