Higher Than Eagles: The Tragedy and Triumph of an American Family

by Maralys Wills, Chris Wills

The family was changed by a boy-a stubborn, relentless, infuriating-but ingenious and creative boy. He was the first in a family of six children, with parents who initially balked at his fantasies. Yet almost everything that captured the world's attention-double-decker bicycles, international hang gliding records, the drama of "flying" a motorcycle, a British championship won by landing on one foot-all these were part of young Bob Wills's singular vision. Prevailing against all the people who called him impractical, a dreamer, Bobby became a legend in the fledgling sport of hang gliding. Sports Illustrated wrote of him, "Like Paul Elvstrom, the great Danish sailor, he seems now to own a special part of the wind that not even he can see and no one else can find." In the end, Bobby not only profoundly changed his family and the pilots who flocked to emulate him,he did what he'd intended all along. He lived a life that had never been lived before.

300 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1955

About the author

Maralys Wills has published seventeen books, raised six children and "lucked into the world's best teaching job."
Educated at Stanford and UCLA, she teaches novel-writing on the college level, and in 2000 was named Teacher of the Year. Her most challenging project, a poignant memoir titled Higher Than Eagles, became her greatest triumph, garnering excellent reviews and five movie options.
Wills considers public speaking the dessert for all the hard work of writing, and relishes every moment spent with a receptive audience. She lives and writes in Santa Ana, California."

Reviews

[Cherie Kephart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Higher Than Eagles is a spiraling adventure of the Wills family brought together by their love of hand gliding. The authors take us on a genuine and intriguing journey inside their perilous ups and downs as inventors, as business owners, and as a family whose joys and heartbreaks resonate far beyond the page. Paralleling the soaring highs and dramatic lows of the hand gliding sport, this book is a tribute to all those who dare to live a life well-lived. As the author says, “What does the number of a man’s days matter if he’s lived a lifetime?” Indeed.

[Barbara Lifland · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book when the author spoke at a Rotary Club of Norfolk meeting many years ago. Life took over and it stayed unread until this week. I thought it was well written and offered insight into how a large family works -and doesn’t work- together. I do wonder how the younger children fared as this book was mostly about the older three of the six. The major events occured primarily around the sport of hang gliding when it was in its infancy. I have an even greater respect for the sport now- a ballet in the air.

[Rob Dippel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring!

For anyone interested in the sport of Hang gliding, HIGHER THAN EAGLES is an absolute must read. Recounting the early days of the sport, the tragedy that befell the Wills family, and the triumph as the family overcame pain and heartache to ensure their families' legacy.

[Steve Congdon · Rating 4 out of 5]

brought back so many memories of the early days of hang gliding; especially all the fears surrounding the fateful 360 (would I be able to make it all the way around without stalling or slamming into the mountain)

[Togamauea Pesaleli · Rating 5 out of 5]

This year, I use this book in my English Class in a College. Its a good book I can say. It's one of my favourite books that I read in college. There are parts that make you jump all over your couch, your bed and chamberlain, and some parts that make you cover yourself with blankets, a tissue pack beside you and stop you from doing your things you like to do in life. What a fabulous book to read. There are tones of messages and advices that bring to the readers about everyday life. So enjoy it.