Solo and Together: Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh, an Enigmatic Life and Marriage

by James R. Hansen

From the New York Times bestselling author, a fascinating exploration of one of the most famous marriages of the 20th century

In Solo and Together, Hansen uncovers the intricate tapestries of two of the 20th century's most iconic personalities, revealing insights that change what we thought we knew about America's pioneering aviator and his accomplished writer-wife.

Through groundbreaking archival research and intimate interviews with family members, Hansen navigates the triumphs and tragedies that defined the Lindberghs' shared journey—from Charles’s historic transatlantic flight to their family's darkest the infamous kidnapping and murder of their first child. The narrative delves into Charles's divisive isolationist stances during the years leading up to World War II and shares revelations of Charles's secret life, including his relationships with three European women and the seven children he fathered. Alongside this, Hansen casts light on Anne Morrow Lindbergh’s own private struggles and secret desires, offering a fresh perspective on her literary achievements and personal sacrifices.

Hansen delivers a deeply human portrait of the Lindberghs, one that challenges assumptions while respecting the indelible mark they left on history. A must-read for anyone captivated by the lives of those who dare to soar beyond boundaries, Solo and Together promises to enthrall and educate, providing a definitive account of love, ambition, betrayal, and resilience.

Genres: History

512 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication November 10, 2026

About the author

James R. Hansen is a professor of history at Auburn University in Alabama. His book From the Ground up won the History Book Award of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics in 1988. For his work, The Wind and Beyond (NASA, six-volume series), he was awarded the Eugene Ferguson Prize for Outstanding Reference Work by the Society for the History of Technology in 2005.

Reviews

[D · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. It should be noted that the edition reviewed did not contain photographs.

This book is likely the most comprehensive joint biography of the Lindberghs, and arguably of each of them, especially owing to the lack of availability of a significant amount of primary material donated to the existing Lindbergh Papers at Yale in the past 10 or 15 years, and thus presumably unavailable to prior biographers, relating especially to the not publicly acknowledged children of Charles Lindbergh.

It is a scrupulously researched and written biography of a marriage, to the extent that can ever be written by any outsider, and is thus remarkable in its depth and scope.

The author is to be congratulated for telling an already fascinating story in a straightforward manner, without resorting to prurience or sensationalism, and with apparent regard for the highly sensitive nature of some aspects of this story for living persons, without sacrifice of scholarly rigor.

At the center of this book lies an enigma named Charles A. Lindbergh, and the equally fascinating story of his wife of nearly 5 decades and how she coped with him, and whether she knew about certain choices of his that came to light after her death. She quite clearly was a remarkable individual and it is apparent that she was a remarkable parent as well.

If the reader comes no closer to an explanation for this enigma, it is not the fault of the author. This book is highly recommended.

[Meridith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. As a history nerd, I knew a fair amount about Charles Lindbergh but not much on his wife Anne. This book does a great job of telling their story as the title says both as a couple and as individuals. It is very readable - both casual readers and historians will enjoy it (with the extensive footnotes aiding those wanting more details). Some may be surprised by the details on their WW2 views and Lindbergh's other families, but the author handles them with balance. My only wish was that some photographs were included. If you have any interest in 20th century history, it is well worth your time.

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this ARC book through a Goodreads Giveaway. I was surprised with how much I enjoyed this book. I learned a lot about this couple and was interested in how the author would include some of the questionable things we have learned about Charles Lindbergh. The author did all of his research and definitely went above and beyond which is greatly appreciated. I would highly recommend this book for all.