"For some years I have been afflicted with the belief that flight is possible to man. My disease has increased in severity and I feel that it will soon cost me an increased amount of money if not my life."
So wrote a quiet young Ohioan in 1900, one in an ancient line of men who had wanted to fly - wanted it passionately, fecklessly, hopelessly. But at the turn of the twentieth century, Wilbur Wright and a scattered handful of other adventurers conceived a conviction that the dream lay at last within reach, and in a headlong race across ten years and two continents, they competed to conquer the air. James Tobin, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in biography, has at last given this inspiring story its definitive telling.
For years Wright and his younger brother, Orville, experimented in utter obscurity. Meanwhile, the world watched as the imperious Samuel Langley, armed with a rich contract from the U. S. War Department and all the resources of the Smithsonian Institution, sought to create the first manned flying machine. While Langley became obsessed with flight as a problem of power, the Wrights grappled with it as a problem of balance. Thus their machines took two very different paths - one toward oblivion, the other toward the heavens.
To Conquer the Air is a hero's tale of overcoming obstacles within and without. It is the story of mankind's most wondrous technological achievement; and it is an account of the mystery of creativity and character. Years later, Orville Wright would remark to Charles Lindbergh: "No one quite understands the spirit and conditions of those times." In the centennial year of human flight. To Conquer the Air is itself a heroic achievement.
Written By - Kristen Breitweiser
Narrated By - Kristen Breitweiser
Published By : Hachette Audio
Runtime : 6 hours
Categories : Women
Autobiography
Historical
Politics
Price : $29.98 $20.99
"Sweets, I'm okay. I'm okay. Don't worry... It's not my building. " Kristen didn't know what he was saying. He told her to turn on the television... More info... |
Written By - David McCullough
Narrated By - David McCullough
Published By : Simon & Schuster
Runtime : 45 minutes
Categories : Autobiography
Historical
Biographical
Price : $14.00 $8.95
On May 15th, 2003 David McCullough presented The Course of Human Events... More info... |
Written By - Nicholas Soames
Narrated By - Various
Published By : Select Music & Distribution
Runtime : 2 hours 30 minutes
Categories : Biographical
Historical
Price : $11.99
Here are the stories of nine people whose energy, imagination, courage and determination changed the world. From Christopher Columbus who set off into unknown seas in a small ship in the 15th... More info... |
Written By - Nicolas Soames
Narrated By - Full Cast Production
Published By : Select Music & Distribution
Runtime : 2 hours 40 minutes
Categories : Biographical
Historical
Price : $11.99
Here are the life stories of nine famous people who have left their mark upon the world. There are men of action such as Alexander the Great and George Washington, and a woman, Joan of Arc, who... More info... |
Written By - Cokie Roberts
Narrated By - Cokie Roberts
Published By : Harper Collins US
Runtime : 6 hours
Categories : American
Social & Economic
Biographical
Historical
Women
Price : $29.95 $16.95
Cokie Roberts brings to life the women who raised our nation. More info... |
