The Wright Brothers: The Remarkable Story of the Aviation Pioneers Who Changed the World

by Ian Mackersey

The conquest of the air at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, on December 17, 1903, was one of the supreme achievements of the 20th century. On that day, two unknown bicycle mechanics, Wilbur and Orville Wright, launched the first successful powered airplane. They changed the world forever. In The Wright Brothers, Ian Mackersey gives us an intriguing new biography of these eccentric figures, whose genius unlocked the secrets of mechanical flight to realize one of man's oldest dreams.

Genres: Aviation, American History, Biography

554 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2003

Reviews

[Rob Sedgwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a brilliant, and ultimately rather sad book. The Wright Brothers are rightly famous today, but they worked in obscurity for years as a part-time activity that had to fit around their bicycle business. It's a classic tale of the brilliant amateurs beating the professionals at their own game. Most people know the basics of their story, but the full account of their lives was new to me and very interesting.

Unfortunately, although they complemented each other perfectly as inventors and engineers, neither of them was a great businessman. Had they had a leader to front their airline business, it would almost certainly have been more successful than it proved. The early 20th century lacked the venture capitalists of today, and the years to get the aircraft even to be taken seriously would never happen today.

The brothers wasted so much of their lives on other activities, their father's church battles and many patent infringements, their years in the limelight were a blaze of glory.

Their secretive, celibate lives and close-knit family did not sit well with the superstars the world wanted them to be, and we are left without a recording of either of their voices, despite Orville living until after WWII.

The book was written by a British author about 20 years ago when there were still people around who remembered Orville. It's very well-researched and easy to read.

[Supergrover · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite reads. Mackersey guides the reader through the privations and difficulties the brothers faced in getting airborne with such clarity and detail that the reader is propelled alongside them on their journey. As the first short flight is made at Kitty Hawk, one shares the sense of achievement; when only months later, their craft is capable of sustaining a controlled flight of 5 minutes, the sense of wonder and incredulity that must have been experienced by witnesses is palpable. This story is framed by their often harsh upbringing and troubled later years, and is all the richer for it. Highly recommended if you have any interest in aviation, engineering, or modern history - frankly even if you simply appreciate an engaging story, well told.

[rob · Rating 5 out of 5]

my review of The Remarkable Story of Aviation Pioneers Who Challenged the World

I enjoyed the history very much as to all the different attempts by so many to solve the mystery of heavier than air powered flight. When the Wrights did finally succeed I was not surprised at the attempts many tried to steal the greatness of the achievement. Was also dismayed at the lack of appreciation of our own government to see the value of flight. It was interesting to learn of the personalities of the brothers and their family. Would recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of flight.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Wright Brothers

This was a very interesting book about Wilbur and Orville Wright. He told of their humble beginnings in Dayton Ohio bicycle shop and became interested in airplanes. They started with gliders and experimented with a number of different ideas that were mostly a head of the rest of the world in powered flight. Together they were brilliant, and the brothers and their sister Kathrine work to provide America in the world with the first powered flight. This book provides some very interesting American history.

[Kathy Fritschi · Rating 5 out of 5]

winged irony

A triumph and struggle. The Wright’s unyielding endeavor lspawned a battle that extended past the brother’s invention of true fight in 3 dimensions. The improbable combination of talents and character of the two brothers enabled them to formulate empirical aeronautical data that transcended the guesswork of previous experiments prior to the brother’s use of a wind tunnel. This book also examined the ultimately tragic conflict between Katherine and Oroville Wright.

[John Maguire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Well written, great insights, would have liked 5% more technical discussion around their discoveries. At the end left feeling slightly sorry for all concerned during this marvellous period around the invention of controlled flight. Well worth reading.

[Pers · Rating 4 out of 5]

A truly remarkable story, and well narrated by Mackersey.