Charles Lindbergh (Compass Point Early Biographies)

At 7:52 a.m. on May 20, 1927, a lightweight plane took off from Roosevelt Field near New York City. The young pilot of that aircraft had Paris as his final destination. He was in pursuit not only of a $25,000 prize for making the first trans-Atlantic flight, but also of the honor of accomplishing a noteworthy aviator's goal. Thirty-three hours later, this brave airman touched down in France and accomplished a seemingly impossible task. His name was Charles Lindbergh and his airplane was "The Spirit of St. Louis." Thereafter nicknamed "Lucky Lindy," Charles Lindbergh became a worldwide celebrity. His plucky approach to flight and his contributions to popularizing air travel helped set the stage for the growth of that industry. Unfortunately, Lindbergh's life was also marred by personal and political misfortune. The kidnapping and murder of his two-year-old son, Charles, was a terrible blow. Later, Lindbergh's opposition to American involvement in World War II left a bad taste in the mouths of many people. In spite of the personal tragedies, Charles Lindbergh stands out as one of the pioneers of flight in the twentieth century. There is a list of other books of interest and related web-based sites. This slim, illustrated biography serves as a good introduction both to the life of Charles Lindbergh and the history of flight. 2001, Compass Point Books. Ages 7 to 9. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck


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