Bert Hinkler: The astonishing true story of the pioneering WWII aviator who was dubbed the most daring man in the world, from the award-winning author of BANJO, BANKS and SISTER VIV

by Grantlee Kieza

Grantlee Kieza tells the thrilling story of Bert's life and with it the bigger story of how the world was changed forever by men like Hinkler. Fast paced and revealing, this is an overdue, full-blooded biography about one of Australia's most astonishing sons. He's all but been lost from history but once upon a time, Bert Hinkler, a small, unprepossessing man from Bundaberg was feted as one of the most daring aviators in the world. Mussolini's favourite pilot, Hinkler was an adventurer who along with early pioneers flew single handed across countries, continents and oceans-often with nothing more than a lunchbox and the page of an atlas to guide him. Whether as an aerial showman or as a World War I fighter pilot, Hinkler's exploits thrilled the world, drawing massive crowds, and in his time he enjoyed the fame and adulation of his peers like Charles Kingsford Smith and Amelia Earhart. But behind the headlines was a more private-and more complex-man, who juggled two relationships with two different women on two continents.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography

526 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2012

Reviews

[David Keal · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read about one of the heroes of Aviation. The story was written clearly and in a manner which kept me turning the pages. Not bogged down by boring detail, it brought to life a fascinating story of a pioneer and his passion for flight.

[Shelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

on of my top 10 of the year - brilliant read

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed this one. Aviation, history, and a legend. Given his standing as a national hero, I am suprised how little I knew about him.
Fabulous read.

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a Covid-19 era where the countries of the world are preoccupied with closing borders to keep out the dreaded virus, Bert Hinkler was an Aussie hero at a time when opening up borders and shrinking the size of the world through air travel was all the go. He was totally preoccupied with aviation from an early age and would have made an exceedingly boring dinner party guest as he is unlikely to have known of anything else to talk about. It also means that this book of really all about Bert's aviation exploits and his efforts to built new aircraft or establish air routes. However, his marital tangle also adds to the mix. My other conclusion is that Bert would have made life much easier for himself and made much more money from his aviation exploits, had he put his secrecy phobia to one side and appointed a top notch PR person.

[Peter Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Before reading this book I knew nothing of this remarkable man and his outstanding achievements in diminutive aeroplanes at, and just post, the invention of powered aviation.

He set records in his little plane that took many, many years to be broken, yet he found some of his immediate achievements quickly overtaken by aviators who became more famous and were revered for longer.

The recounting of his exploits is very well documented, so that too of his personal life. However the piece that is missing, that would have added greatly to his complete story would have been the reasonings and drivers of why and what failed him in gaining the acclaim and recognition by those "powerful few" within the "establishment". The reader can speculate, however reasons or author opinion would add to the narrative.

On balance 3.5, however as we cannot rate as such 3.

A fundamental piece of Australian and global aviation history. All interested in either topic will find this engaging and of interest.

[David Dash · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really interesting read about a fascinating character. A very important piece of Australian history told in a lively, interesting way. Well done.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fantastic biography about an amazing Australian. Thoroughly enjoyed learning more about Bert Hinkler as I buddy read this book with my mom. Anyone who enjoys flying or learning about the early days of human flight and aviation would enjoy this book.

[Scott Humphries · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspiring biography of one of Australia's -- if not the world's -- most daring aviation pioneers, including detailed chronicles of his most famous recording-breaking flights in the late 1920s and early 1930s. Great stuff!

[Brian Grinter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating read of an early aviator

[J.D. Crawford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic book!

I rarely write reviews, but I am very grateful to Grantlee Kieza for the skill and work that went into telling the life of Bert Hinkler. It is an exciting and well written account that is backed up by excellent research (including interviews of Bert Hinkler's relations). As a Bundaberg local living not far from Hinkler House, I often see memorials to Bert Hinkler. However, only through reading this book do I feel as though I have come to really understand Bert Hinkler's achievements and personal struggles. I also particularly enjoyed the early parts of the book that tracked the development of flight and conveyed the excitement of the times.

Well done.

[Jocelyn Pitt · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting but far too detailed.