Lost: Amelia Earhart's Three Mysterious Deaths and One Extraordinary Life

by Rachel Hartigan

Unravel one of history's greatest mysteries in this spellbinding narrative exploring three leading theories of Amelia Earhart’s tragic disappearance.

When Amelia Earhart’s plane disappeared in 1937, the clues poured in, attracting wild conspiracies about her tragic fate.

In Lost, former National Geographic reporter Rachel Hartigan delves into Earhart’s disappearance, introducing a host of eccentric characters who have become obsessed with finding the truth. Did the great aviator crash land near the Marshall Islands, only to be captured by Japanese soldiers? Did she manage to land on Nikumaroro Island but die of injury or starvation? Or did she run out of fuel and crash into the ocean?

Interspersed with the search for Earhart is the story of her extraordinary her unstable childhood, her itinerant early career, and how a PR-savvy publisher transformed her into an aviation icon and became her husband in an unconventional marriage.

In the spirit of nonfiction blockbusters like The Lost City of Z, Hartigan draws us into the world of Earhart's devotees and unspools a beguiling tale. The theories lead Hartigan from the pilot's birthplace of Atchison, Kansas to an expedition on a remote Pacific Island, where forensic dogs attempt to recover a potential sample of Earhart’s DNA.

As tantilizing new evidence mounts, Hartigan and her fellow investigators descend deeper into a world of conspiracy and obsession. Through its irresistible characters and prodigious research, Lost reveals not just why we remember Amelia Earhart as a trailblazer and adventurer, but why unsolved mysteries keep us forever searching for answers.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Biography

320 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 3, 2026

Reviews

[Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley and National Geographic [the publisher] for an eARC of Lost: Amelia Earhart’s Three Mysterious Deaths and One Extraordinary Life by Rachel Hartigan, with an expected publication date in March of 2026, in return for an honest review.

I have never been obsessed with the mystery of Earhart’s disappearance, but have been intrigued over the years at the periodic articles about the latest theory/discovery concerning her disappearance. She has become a figure of adulation and the center of a number of conspiracy theories. Was she a spy for the US in the years leading up to the war against Japan in WWII. Was she a Japanese spy, whose disappearance allowed her to go to Japan and become Tokyo Rose during the war? These are just two of the conspiracies covered in Hartigan’s fascinating book. While not a predominant theme, the author explores the role of conspiracy thought in American history.

The author was a journalist working for National Geographic, and participated in a couple expeditions to the Pacific in attempts to locate the remains of Earhart’s plane or even her remains. The book alternates between Earhart’s biography and an exploration of what went wrong on her last flight. Hartigan does a good job of laying out the various theories behind many of the attempts to locate her. [Some my find too much detail, but the detail is necessary to explain why the explorers searched where they did.] Despite her own role in the search, the author remains in the background, giving the reader enough to understand her experience and interest in the topic. I have not read any other biographies of Earhart, but Lost provides an excellent exposition of her life.

Reading Lost you get a sense of the adulation that continues around Earhart, in part as a feminist icon. Last time that I looked, Goodreads lists almost 1,000 entries with her as a subject, many of them for children. I recommend this book, especially for those interested in biographies, history [the history of the early days of aviation], or an exploration of conspiracy thinking.

[Collyn Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

read if you like:
📖 non-fiction
✈️ Amelia Earhart
🤷🏻‍♀️ missing people

summary:
I’ve always been fascinated by Amelia Earhart since I was little. I mean really — how does someone just disappear? This combined with my love of female heroines made this the perfect book to preview. This story follows National Geographic reporter Rachel Hartigan on her search around the world for the true story behind Amelia Earhart, as she explores three of the most common theories of her disappearance. Alternating between the story of her life and the details behind these theories, the reader learns more about who Amelia was, what led her to her record-breaking trip, and the mystique behind her legacy.

As someone who hasn’t read a lot about these theories, Hartigan does an excellent job of digging into the details behind them. It’s hard to believe how far fetched some of them were and still are, but she investigates each of them, along with the evidence and research that followed to refute them. The depth of her investigation is impressive, and sadly proves that many of these theories are honestly, unprovable. While the author might go into a little too much detail for the average reader, it would be perfect for any Amelia Earhart fan who wants the complete story.

Thanks to National Geographic and NetGalley for the advanced copy. If you too are fascinated by this mystery, check this out book out when it releases on March 3, 2026.

[Dr. Alan Albarran · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost: Amelia Earhart's Three Mysterious Deaths and One Extraordinary Life by Rachel Hartigan doesn't solve the mystery of what happened to the acclaimed pilot who went missing during the Pacific leg of a transcontinental flight in 1937, but it does provide the reader with two different narratives to tell the story.

The first narrative is a semi-biography of Earhart, which is quite interesting. She grew up with an alcoholic father who could never seem to get his life together, a mother she ended up supporting as she became an adult, and a younger sister who by all accounts worshiped Amelia. Chapters discuss how she became interested in flying and aeronautics, and her many attempts to set various records as the world's leading female pilot. There are a lot of interesting aspects to her life that I had never heard of before, so this part of the book was very interesting to me.

The second narrative deconstructs the three main theories of Earhart's disappearance. These theories will not be recounted here, as they are quire detailed and involve many different time periods, people, and findings that still don't explain the mystery of what happened to Amelia Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan. The author was involved as part of the investigation of one of these theories funded in part by National Geographic. This section is particularly interesting as the author relates her experience on searching for the plane that carried the pilot or the remains (bones) of the two lost souls.

I learned a lot about Earhart and her family, and the many people who have searched to try and understand what happened. We will probably never know exactly where the plane crashed. Earhart remains a tragic heroine in aviation history, and the mystery of her death will likely continue to spawn new initiatives to find answers.

In terms of rating I give the book 5 stars.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to review an ARC in exchange for an objective review.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of Lost. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, National Geographic, for this opportunity.

In Lost, the life and legend of Amelia Earhart are brought vividly to the page in a narrative that balances meticulous historical biography with the suspense and intrigue of one of the world’s most enduring aviation mysteries. Author Rachel Hartigan, a former National Geographic reporter, creates a novel that is both tribute to Earhart’s trailblazing legacy and a deep dive into the decades-long search for her final resting place. In doing so, she is able to expertly craft a book that is both informative and captivating.

Lost paints a rich and nuanced portrait of Earhart as not just as the leather-jacketed aviatrix of popular imagination but as a determined, intelligent, and groundbreaking figure in both aviation and women’s history. From her early days growing up in Kansas to her record-setting flights across oceans and continents, Lost traces Earhart’s journey with detail and clarity. Hartigan avoids hagiography, offering instead a balanced portrayal that highlights both her remarkable achievements and the challenges she faced, personally and professionally.

But Lost doesn’t end with her last takeoff. Instead, it uses that moment—her disappearance over the Pacific in 1937—as a pivot into a gripping exploration of the many missions, theories, and obsessions that have followed. The book chronicles early U.S. Navy search efforts, the rise of the crash-and-sink theory, and more recent technological expeditions involving underwater sonar, satellite analysis, and even bone fragment testing on remote islands like Nikumaroro. It captures the passion (and sometimes the controversy) behind those who have dedicated years or even decades to solving the mystery.

Crucially, Lost neither promises resolution nor falls into sensationalism. It respects the evidence, the limitations of what we know, and the motivations of those still searching. The mystery remains open-ended, but the book gives readers the tools to understand why that mystery has persisted—and why it continues to matter.
In the end, Lost is more than a biography or an investigation; it’s a meditation on legacy, obsession, and the human need to seek closure. Whether you come for the story of Amelia Earhart’s life or stay for the unraveling of her disappearance, you’ll find this book deeply satisfying.

A must-read for history lovers, aviation enthusiasts, and anyone fascinated by real-world mysteries.

[Edie · Rating 4 out of 5]

88/89 years after Amelia Earhart & her navigator went missing in The Electra, we still have more questions than answers. This trailblazer in aviation & the search for her remains is something known around the world.

The author who represented National Geographic on this 2023 expedition explores any & all possibilities from the past through current times The pages detail not only the gripping flight plan that Earhart took in 1937, but also how much expense & time has been expended trying to solve this mystery.

Amelia Earhart’s name is known around this globe no matter where it takes you & this book will have you referring to your atlas or map apps searching the many countries, islands & bodies of water mentioned.

My Father was a pilot so I grew up hearing about Amelia Earhart, but this particular book discusses the extent that was put into searching from July of 1937 until recently. Amelia Earhart flew to faraway destinations so getting there even now is extremely expensive. If successful in financing a search, once there the terrain or waters prohibit vs assist.

What I did not know & enjoyed learning was more about how Amelia was well-educated and a supporter of the early women’s rights movement in the US. It included her upbringing in Kansas, her marriage/relationships with men & the enormous profit that the flight around the world in 1937 was supposed to net. She went missing, but the financial debt of this endeavor remained with her Husband, George Putnam.

I’ll let the reader find out more, but I live not far from St. Petersburg, Florida. I forgot the very believable girl, Betty Klenck, there (15 years old) who lived a long life & was convinced she had shortwave radio contact with Amelia shortly after she went missing in 1937. I went on a deep dive on the SS Norwich City after that chapter!

The author is currently with National Geographic, but has been an editor with The Washington Post and US News & World Report. Hers is a book that will entertain & educate not only on aviation in its earliest years, but also on how much expense goes into these search party expeditions. While the public may yearn to know, I never weighed how much grief the Families felt when Amelia’s soul is never left at peace.

I thank NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks for the ARC!! I didn't know all that much about Amelia Earhart outside of the big picture mystery before reading the book, and that there's a statue of her in North Hollywood. I enjoyed reading it, and learned quite a bit about both Earhart, and early aviation, which was interesting, although by the end it felt a bit light as a biography and a bit uncritical as an examination of the theories surrounding her disappearance. Overall as the biography didn't feel like much more than surface level facts and events, I would have preferred less of it, or a more in depth examination of her life as it lead up to her disappearance. As for the theories to what went wrong, I found myself thinking, that's interesting, but what do other experts in this area think? Surely when talking about an experiment involving radio transmission strength, there's other engineers available to establish that this is either a good test that will reveal meaningful data, or a fun exercise in restoring old equipment that doesn't mean much. Especially since none of the theories actually pan out to meaningful finds, and they're all making huge assumptions, it would have been interesting to have other experts weigh in on holes in the logic, and how reasonable the assumptions being made are. All that said I'm glad I read it, and know more about the topic, so four stars!

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been intrigued by Amelia Earhart for a long time. She was a a pioneer in so many ways and her life is fascinating. I have always lamented that people today seem to be more intrigued by her disappearance than by the rich and interesting life that she lived. So books concerning her disappearance don’t usually strike my fancy. But since this book was published by National Geographic, whom I respect, I decided to give it a try. I found the book rather compelling. Reading of Amelia’s last day was heartbreaking, as always, And the three theories concerning her final moments were interesting and thought provoking. I disagree with the author though, that, had Amelia lived, she would have been forgotten by our modern world. I think her accomplishments in her first forty years speak of the amazing things she might have given us if she had only completed that flight so long ago.

Thanks to NetGalley for the review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of Amelia Earhart is one that shouts mystery. A mystery that no one is able to solve, unfortunately. I believe by now, the whole world must have heard about this famous pilot and her challenge to do the transatlantic flight in 1937.
It was nice to know that she had help from Fred Noonan, an experienced navigator. This book covers quite a bit, including Amelia’s biography from her childhood to her adult years. The story weaves back and forth from her personal life to her professional life as she navigates eventually as the “one” to do the dangerous world flight. It was interesting to read about her family and what she did other than just flying. There were numerous speculations floating around about what could have happened to them, many of which I’ve never known. I believe you will find this an intriguing book to read over a nice cup of coffee. I received this e-book for free from National Geographic via NetGalley and the opinion I express are honest and my own.

[Aubrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley and here's my review:
In short, I LOVED IT! I stayed up late to finish because I was so enthralled. I loved the different timelines and how the author wove them together. There is so much documented about Amelia Earhart's life, and I felt like I did get the whole story. I found the differing theories of what happened intriguing; the only one I had ever really heard was that she ended up on the tiny island with no means of contacting the outside world.
The discussions of searching the ocean around those islands made me want a "Drain the Oceans" episode dedicated to the search!
I do plan to buy this book when it becomes available in print, and I would recommend it to those who enjoy nonfiction that includes an exciting narrative.

[Nina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historically relevant and an irresistible mystery, Amelia Earhart's story will always enthrall the masses. It feels as if every Earhart documentary I watch or book I read, I am still holding out for a different answer. While Hartigan's biography does not solidfy the mystery, it supports the reality of what happened to the famed aviator and Fred Noonan. Told in a dual timeline format, we follow Hartigan through research digs and deep-sea dives in the hunt for Electra, or the pilot's remains. Alternating are timelines of Amelia's story, leading up to the fateful flight across the Pacific.

Hartigan offers a deep dive that maintains interest, presents new insights, and does it best to offer a sense of closure that may never come.

[Karis North · Rating 4 out of 5]

As one of the many obsessed with Amelia Earhart, I really appreciated the way this book sorted through the three main theories concerning her disappearance, and went through the supporting research in more detail than it is easily found online. Interspersed with vignettes from her life, I found the book wonderful to read. I’m even a little jealous that the author was able to participate, through National Geographic, in several of the expeditions to Nikumaroro.

Thanks to NetGalley and National Geographic for the advance read in exchange for an honest review.

[Larry Sosebee · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I have read lately. I have always been interested in what happen to Amelia Earhart. I read all the news I see about her, and this book has all the latest news. I read the first chapter twice. It was about the last few hours of her flight. It was both suspenseful and sad. The book chapters alternated between her life and flight. She had a very interesting life. It was well written and a great read. I would like to thank NetGalley and National Geographic Partners for a free advance copy to read.

[Suzze Tiernan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the historical perspective on a mystery that still haunts us. In alternating chapters we see Amelia’s life unfold, and then follow all the searches that have been done to solve that mystery. Very enjoyable. Releases March 3, 2026.