About this book
The Wright Brothers follows Wilbur and Orville Wright from their family home and bicycle business in Dayton, Ohio, through years of patient experiments with gliders, to the first powered flights at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, in December 1903. It continues with the long effort to have their achievement recognised, including public demonstrations in France and the United States.
David McCullough makes the brothers' character central to the story: their curiosity, discipline, practical skill and determination in the face of failure and doubt. Their sister Katharine, who supported them throughout, gets a prominent place. The technical side of flight is explained clearly, without bogging down the narrative.
This is a short, warm and inspiring book, and an easy one to recommend to readers of any age or background, whether or not they already love history. For another McCullough story of American ingenuity, read The Path Between the Seas; for more inventors and innovators, try Benjamin Franklin: An American Life.
Who it’s for
A delightful, approachable read for almost anyone; a great gift for readers interested in invention and flight.
Editions vary by publisher and format. Check the retailer’s listing for the edition, translation and format before you buy.