Publisher's Synopsis
On May 21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh flew his plane, The Spirit of St. Louis, from New York to Paris and entered history as the first person to complete a nonstop solo flight across the Atlantic. This feat - born of Lindbergh's technical acuity and sheer strength of will - was considered one the greatest achievements of the day and made Lindbergh an overnight household name. Celebrating the 75th anniversary of Lindbergh's legendary flight and the 100th anniversary of his birth, The Spirit of St. Louis charts his career from youthful barnstormer to outspoken public figure. The authors, both curators at the National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution, stress the degree to which Lindbergh's achievement was grounded in his sophisticated grasp of aviation technology and his superb skills as a pilot. Illustrated with newly taken color photographs of the plane - the most precious artifact in the museum - and archival photographs of Lindbergh both from his specific moment in history and throughout his life, this book captures the excitement of the early, pioneering days of aviation.
