Synopsis
When people first started to fly, it was a very risky business. The history of aviation is full of people who have risk of their lives to fly higher, faster, and farther than ever before.
Children's Literature
As part of the "Difficult and Dangerous" series, this book explores some of the most dangerous airborne adventures in history. It includes chapters about Manfred von Richthofen, Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Chuck Yeager, and Steve Fossett and covers the earliest attempts at flying to the most recent record-breaking flights around the world. The illustrations are colorful and exciting, with detailed pictures of the planes. The book includes interactive quizzes that ask the reader what they might do in a dangerous situation. Each page is filled with historical facts, maps, photographs, and quotes from the people profiled. There is a glossary of terms at the end of the book, and suggested websites for further reading and learning. There is some mature content, as some of the people profiled disappeared while in flight, and others fought in fighter planes during war. However, this would be a great introductory book to any reader who already has an interest in planes and flying, or who would like to learn more. Reviewer: Mary Woo