Charles Lindbergh: American Hero of Flight FROM THE CRITICS
Children's Literature
In the pre-dawn hours of May 10, 1927, Charles Lindbergh stood gazing at the dark sky from the cockpit of his single engine plane, The Spirit of St. Louis. He was about to take off from a New York airport in search of a life long dream. Lindbergh was attempting to become the first aviator to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. His goal was Paris and he knew that he could very well die within the next day or two in pursuit of his dream. Thirty-three hours and twenty-nine minutes after take-off Lindbergh touched down in France and was received by a mob of overzealous supporters. That flight totally changed Charles Lindbergh's life. A quiet and reclusive man, Lindbergh became an international hero. In later years he married, raised six children, saw his first-born kidnapped and murdered, became a political pariah for some of his views on Adolf Hitler, and flew over fifty combat missions in World War Two. This famous yet retiring man is the subject of Virginia Meachum's fascinating, illustrated biography. Meachum traces not only the noteworthy parts of Lindbergh's life but also the inner workings of his family life, with particular focus on his relationship with his talented and thoughtful spouse, Ann Morrow Lindbergh. All in all, this is a well-tooled biography that provides both ample information and a narrative that flows well. 2002, Enslow, Romaneck
School Library Journal
Gr 7 Up-Meachum does not focus on Lindbergh's historic New York-Paris flight 75 years ago; instead, she lets that remain one chapter in an eventful life as she recounts her subject's many accomplishments. His other interests, including creating a network of airline carriers, receive equal attention, as does his notorious, positive comments about Adolph Hitler and his isolationist views prior to the United States's involvement in World War II. The aviator's personal life is also mentioned, including the kidnapping and murder of his first child, Charles Lindbergh, Jr. Overall, Meachum does a commendable job of providing a wide-ranging look at Lindbergh's life, without skimping on the details. Several black-and-white photos are included. A fine introduction to the life of an American icon.-Carol Fazioli, formerly at The Brearley School, New York City Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.
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