The Story of the Wright Brothers – Review

Litercurious Book Review

TitleThe Story of the Wright Brothers
AuthorAnnette Whipple
PublisherRockridge Press (July 28, 2020)
FormatKindle / Paperback
Pages / File68 / 3011KB
LanguageEnglish
GenreChildren’s Historical Biographies
ISBN 10/13164739239X / 978-1647392390

AUTHOR

Find out about Annette Whipple here.

SYNOPSIS

The Story of the Wright Brothers is a condensed children’s book about the first two men to fly a heavier than air vehicle. It provides a quick glimpse into the surrounding political turmoil in America during their early years. She also tells children how people lived without electricity, indoor plumbing, and telephones. 

The book covers the family dynamics, siblings, and the constant moving. Through it all Orville and Wilber were not just brothers but best friends. They did a lot of reading, tinkering, and learning. The boys were fascinated with flight from a very early age. Due to some injuries and sickness their dream of attending college never materialized. The boys started working together and continued with their fascination of flight. They built gliders and eventually an airplane. They pioneered many flying techniques, including “wing warping”.

Orville and Wilber not only invented the airplane, but they were also the first flight instructors. They taught the Army how to fly and many more. They were more than inventors; they were pioneers, adventurers and daredevils.

CONCLUSION

As someone who hails from a family of pilots, I love any books about the origins of flight. Annette does a great job condensing this epic tale into something for children. She discusses the four forces of flight in a manner easily understood. Aerodynamics is a very complex subject matter when you think of all the forces that act on an airfoil at different speeds and temperatures. She includes a glossary at the end which is wonderful. The illustrations were appropriate and very well drawn.

The Story of the Wright Brothers is a comprehensive tale of the two most important men in aviation. I find it amazing that Annette could write such a good book in children’s terms. There is so much information covering their lives, trails and tribulations. Annette cuts through all of that and brings the important aspects to life for young readers. 

As Certified Flight Instructor Instruments (CFII) and professional helicopter pilot, I can say that did enjoy this book. It is very basic, but it is intended for very young children. Of course there are a lot of books that go into much more detail, but as an introduction for children this book is great.

I was working at an airport while attending college and I actually met a pilot who had his original license signed by one of the Wright brothers. This book reminded me of the awe I felt as I looked upon the signature of one of the original inventors and flight instructors.  

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

ILLUSTRATOR

To learn more about Alessandra Santelli click here.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to I thank Annette Whipple, Netgalley, and Rockridge Press for affording me opportunity to review The Story of the Wright Brothers.

Butch Cassidy – Review

Litercurious Book Review

TitleButch Cassidy, The True Story of an American Outlaw
AuthorCharles Leerhsen
PublisherSimon & Schuster; Illustrated edition (July 14, 2020)
FormatKindle, Audiobook, Hardcover, Paperback, Audio CD
Pages / File311 / 19515 KB
LanguageEnglish
GenreHistorical, Biography
ASIN / ISBN 10/13B07Z44M3D1 / 1501117483 / 978-1501117480  

AUTHOR

Find out about Charles Leerhsen here.

SYNOPSIS

Butch Cassidy, The Story of an American Outlaw is a historical look into the one of the Wild West’s most notorious outlaws. The book covers Robert Leroy Parker’s origins thru his infamous career and eventual death.

Robert, aka Butch, was born into a Mormon family in Utah. He grew up in poverty, but was said to be a charismatic soul. Born on Friday the 13th of April, 1866 as the first born to Maximilian and Ann Parker. During his early years, his father was gone a lot working a variety of jobs to support the growing family. This left Robert largely unsupervised; he had a dozen younger siblings that needed looking after.

Robert was a natural showman and incredibly intelligent. He organized kiddie rodeos, built rafts and gave rides. He got some chickens drunk for the amusement of his family, etc. As an outlaw, he planned his robberies and escapes with precision and engineering. He pioneered the relay escape…..he would station fresh horses along his escape route, so he and the gang would be able to transition to fresh mounts and outrun any possie.

As Robert began his working career, he bounced between outlawing and cowboying. He was such a charismatic man, that ranch owners stood by him even though they knew he was an outlaw. Butch never stole from the people he worked for nor the patrons in any bank or on a train. He only wanted the money from the big companies and the Banks.

As Butch’s notoriety grew, it became increasingly dangerous to remain in the United States. Eventually, he had to move to South America where he went straight for several years. Circumstances forced him to try again at outlawing, but he and Sundance paid the ultimate price in the end.

CONCLUSION

Overall, I enjoyed Butch Cassidy, The Story of an American Outlaw. The historical look into the American West was fascinating and intriguing. Charles Leerhsen obviously did a lot of research for this book. He covers Butch’s life in detail and brings the notorious character to life.

Some of the distractions, I found, were the authors liberties. The book is interposed with innuendo and the authors guesses. I prefer my historical books to be factual and backed by proofs, not supposition. The whole line of Butch’s supposed sexuality was a great distractor for me. Also, the constant comparing of the real life of Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid with the movie version did not add anything but pages.

If you can filter out all the unnecessary movie comparisons, the innuendos, the authors liberties; then this is a great book. The actual historical and factual information contained within the pages is an eye-opening experience into life in the Historical West.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I would like to thank Charles Leerhsen, Netgalley, and Simon & Schuster for affording me the opportunity to review Butch Cassidy, The Story of an American Outlaw.