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Without a Trace: 1881-1968
True Stories of Aircraft and Passengers Who Disappeared Into Thin Air For many, aviation still brings with it an air of mystery, a century-long magic trick. Though most of us will board an aircraft at some point in our lives, we know little about how they work and the procedures surrounding their operation. It is that mystery that makes these losses, such as the vanishing of Malaysia Airlines flight 370, so terrifying. Without a Trace explores the most interesting of these mysteries that have baffled investigators for years. Occasionally tragic, frequently amusing, Without a Trace is unerringly accurate and informative. The two Without a Trace volumes span 150 years and explore mysteries from around the world. This is volume one, beginning just before the golden age of aviation with a manned balloon swept over the English Channel, and ending with a top-secret spy plane disappearing at the height of the cold war. Each case is laid out in rich detail and presented chronologically, highlighting the historical context, official accident reports and contemporary news surrounding each mystery. Where did they go? Sylvia Wrigley introduces the crews, innocent bystanders and rescuers in this collection of true stories. Documenting the popular theories from each case, she uses her knowledge and experience as a pilot and an aviation journalist to demystify aviation jargon and narrow down each disappearance to the most likely explanations. This collection takes a hard look at the human failings of great aviators, explorers and celebrities who have pushed the limits of flight and ended up at the heart of a mystery. The stories encompass airships, military jets and commercial airlines - all of which have vanished without a trace.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 7, 2018
615 people are currently reading
375 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
April 27, 2018
Received this book as an ARC. This book is about how people and planes have disappeared between 1881-1968. Very informative, very well written and I have never heard of most of the information before. Would recommend.
September 29, 2019
Unsolved Mysteries
A fascinating well documented book about ships and aircraft that have disappeared under mostly unexplainable circumstances..How the Bermuda Triangle got its reputation and a reference to more present day disappearances such as Malaysia passenger flight 370 that was lost in 2014.
A fascinating well documented book about ships and aircraft that have disappeared under mostly unexplainable circumstances..How the Bermuda Triangle got its reputation and a reference to more present day disappearances such as Malaysia passenger flight 370 that was lost in 2014.
October 11, 2019
A Fantastic Report
I am simply amazed at the unbelievable amount of research necessary for an endeavor to write these accounts. It is also rewarding to me to understand some of the secrets, some of the latter I well remember. Writing facts can be bookish and boring. But this author makes the stories flow and they contain no dull moments.
I am simply amazed at the unbelievable amount of research necessary for an endeavor to write these accounts. It is also rewarding to me to understand some of the secrets, some of the latter I well remember. Writing facts can be bookish and boring. But this author makes the stories flow and they contain no dull moments.
November 2, 2019
Up Up and Which Way
Very interesting indeed. Well researched. Well documented. I can't say enough in support of this book. I read a story everycouple of days to not loose interest and keep focused on the much needed detail involved.
Thanks Sylvia for your persistence and devotion to your trade. Well done
Very interesting indeed. Well researched. Well documented. I can't say enough in support of this book. I read a story everycouple of days to not loose interest and keep focused on the much needed detail involved.
Thanks Sylvia for your persistence and devotion to your trade. Well done
October 11, 2019
Fascinating!
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Looking forward to volume 2. Intriguing yet scary. Well written for all to understand even with little to no aeronautic knowledge.
Thoroughly enjoyed reading this. Looking forward to volume 2. Intriguing yet scary. Well written for all to understand even with little to no aeronautic knowledge.
August 5, 2024
Perhaps this wasn't the best book to start to read before going on an international flight, haha... That said, there's a part of me that's fascinated by disasters, and as a child I was fascinated by the Bermuda Triangle and the mysterious disappearances that were associated with that place. So a book about aircraft disappearances was intriguing. And while this volume only covers these disasters up to 1968, it's still a compelling read.
Sylvia Wrigley covers the disappearances of passenger plains, military aircraft, and even blimps and balloons, drawing from real-life disaster reports and interviews with those associated with the vanishings and the resulting search-and-rescue efforts. These stories are well-researched, doing a great deal to explain aircraft terminology to the average reader without confusing them or getting bogged down in detail, and also discuss (but also dismiss) rumors and hearsay about the disasters as well as the various theories as to what happened to the crafts in question.
Some of the disappearances in this book I was familiar with -- Amelia Earhart's vanishing is almost common knowledge, and I'd heard about the flight of military planes that disappeared forever in the Bermuda Triangle. Others I'd never heard of before, and I find it frightening but strangely compelling that something as huge as an aircraft can simply vanish without a trace.
For the aeronautical buff, or anyone fascinated by disasters or unsolved mysteries, this is a good read. And I'm curious to check out the second volume...
Sylvia Wrigley covers the disappearances of passenger plains, military aircraft, and even blimps and balloons, drawing from real-life disaster reports and interviews with those associated with the vanishings and the resulting search-and-rescue efforts. These stories are well-researched, doing a great deal to explain aircraft terminology to the average reader without confusing them or getting bogged down in detail, and also discuss (but also dismiss) rumors and hearsay about the disasters as well as the various theories as to what happened to the crafts in question.
Some of the disappearances in this book I was familiar with -- Amelia Earhart's vanishing is almost common knowledge, and I'd heard about the flight of military planes that disappeared forever in the Bermuda Triangle. Others I'd never heard of before, and I find it frightening but strangely compelling that something as huge as an aircraft can simply vanish without a trace.
For the aeronautical buff, or anyone fascinated by disasters or unsolved mysteries, this is a good read. And I'm curious to check out the second volume...
November 12, 2022
Not bad at all. Certainly interesting. Very decent summaries of several cases of missing airships over nearly 90 years, and well written. Enough detail to give the reader 'just enough' background in each instance, plus the efforts made to determine the cause of the disappearance. These were all aircraft/airships that simply vanished, "without a trace", although actually in some cases there was some trace and clues. But every one was a mystery, unsolved. You can get much more detail in some instances by simply looking at Wikipedia (e.g. the Amelia Ehrhardt case) but, again, what was presented here was done very well. I liked the book enough that I would certainly read volume 2 on more recent cases.
January 7, 2026
Full of information. I wish I had a better understanding of the terminology related to the mechanics of the planes. The mystery surrounding these disappearances makes me suspicious of the truths that may be behind these occurrences. I will certainly entertain second thoughts with regard to modes of travel either by air or sea. Certainly my trust of the agencies mentioned was not without suspicion even before reading this book and now it is even more diminished. Who really knows and is telling the truth, and who is protecting their own interests and reputation? Reader, be prepared to have your comfort level challenged with regard to travel!
February 5, 2021
Informative
This is a very succinctly written book about the disappearance of aircraft from hot air balloon to spy planes. It is well organized (chronologically) and the author gives the facts without frills. I would have preferred more photos and maps. The routes these aircraft took are important in the telling of each one's story and it would have helped to see a map for each fatal journey. This work will reinforce the idea that a competent pilot is the most important factor in flight safety!
This is a very succinctly written book about the disappearance of aircraft from hot air balloon to spy planes. It is well organized (chronologically) and the author gives the facts without frills. I would have preferred more photos and maps. The routes these aircraft took are important in the telling of each one's story and it would have helped to see a map for each fatal journey. This work will reinforce the idea that a competent pilot is the most important factor in flight safety!
November 14, 2021
This is a book of true stories of aircraft and passengers who disappeared into thin air between 1881 and 1968. Some of these people I have heard of but others were new to me. It was a really interesting read.
For many, aviation still brings with it an air of mystery, a century-long magic trick. Though most of us will board an aircraft at some point in our lives, we know little about how they work and the procedures surrounding their operation. It is that mystery that makes these losses, such as the vanishing of Malaysia Airlines flight 370, so terrifying.
Without a Trace explores the most interesting of these disappearances: mysteries that have baffled investigators for years. Occasionally tragic, frequently amusing, Without a Trace is unerringly accurate and informative.
For many, aviation still brings with it an air of mystery, a century-long magic trick. Though most of us will board an aircraft at some point in our lives, we know little about how they work and the procedures surrounding their operation. It is that mystery that makes these losses, such as the vanishing of Malaysia Airlines flight 370, so terrifying.
Without a Trace explores the most interesting of these disappearances: mysteries that have baffled investigators for years. Occasionally tragic, frequently amusing, Without a Trace is unerringly accurate and informative.
August 21, 2019
Sylvia, totally enjoyed both of your books. The detail you provided for each incident helped me understand what happened. Great job. I actually purchased both of yourvide id
Provided was impressive and educated myself a better understanding on each incident. Once I started reading I could not put each book down. Also enjoyed
The format you used , somewhat a short story concept. Great job........congratulations and thank you for writing these books. Jack.
Provided was impressive and educated myself a better understanding on each incident. Once I started reading I could not put each book down. Also enjoyed
The format you used , somewhat a short story concept. Great job........congratulations and thank you for writing these books. Jack.
March 2, 2020
Note: I listened to the audio version.
Interesting stories, some that I had heard before but others that were new to me. The older stories were a bit more interesting just because there was, literally, no trace for most of them and the mistakes made could be so simple to make. The later ones lose a bit of the romance, if you can call it that, but are still interesting as to how modern airliners could disappear.
Interesting stories, some that I had heard before but others that were new to me. The older stories were a bit more interesting just because there was, literally, no trace for most of them and the mistakes made could be so simple to make. The later ones lose a bit of the romance, if you can call it that, but are still interesting as to how modern airliners could disappear.
November 25, 2020
This is a collection of intriguing and mysterious stories of vanishing aircraft that have yet to be solved to this day. Some have accepted theories based on small amounts of data, radio transmissions, and conclusions by specialists, while others are complete mysteries with no evidence, either from the time of disappearance or found since. Some of these stories have extra layers with hints of suspicious and even criminal activity.
October 26, 2019
I found this book interesting, but not particularly compelling.
I read it over a period of time, and found this more enjoyable than the thought of reading it cover-to-cover at once.
It seemed to hold good facts, and would be more interesting for those whose interest in the Bermuda Triangle, unexplained flight problems, and possible UFO's is compelling.
I read it over a period of time, and found this more enjoyable than the thought of reading it cover-to-cover at once.
It seemed to hold good facts, and would be more interesting for those whose interest in the Bermuda Triangle, unexplained flight problems, and possible UFO's is compelling.
October 26, 2019
An interesting survey of aviation disappearances over the years. Some famous, some not, each is covered in great detail. I enjoyed this- I was afraid it would be overly sensational, but it wasn't, and the research and depth was impressive. There were a few factual errors, but most sections were very accurate, and interesting reading.
April 8, 2020
If you love details about airplanes you will enjoy this book. I found the information about missing planes and the mysteries surrounding them to be interesting. The minute details of engines and similar technicalities bored me. However, this is a good collection of the disappearances of airplanes and the events surrounding them.
August 9, 2020
Real life mysteries have an intellectual and creepy appeal. Aéronautique mysteries “take it up a notch” especially for a novice reader who has little knowledge how it all works (or doesn’t). The author keeps each example moving and builds on the technicalities of aircraft design. Well documented and well written.
September 17, 2020
I'm not an aviation buff but I loved this book
Well-written stories of fascinating mysteries, most of which I'd never heard of before. Even the ones I thought I knew were written about with details I'd never before read. If you like unsolved mysteries or strange disappearances, this book is for you!
Well-written stories of fascinating mysteries, most of which I'd never heard of before. Even the ones I thought I knew were written about with details I'd never before read. If you like unsolved mysteries or strange disappearances, this book is for you!
August 11, 2021
Superbly written
What a superb book this is, it looks a number of aviation mysteries, without as is so often the case, jumping to conclusions. Too often people who should know better, take the easy option of blaming the crew, in a lot of cases that may be the correct cause, bur not all. Nice to read a bokk that just states the facts, as known.
What a superb book this is, it looks a number of aviation mysteries, without as is so often the case, jumping to conclusions. Too often people who should know better, take the easy option of blaming the crew, in a lot of cases that may be the correct cause, bur not all. Nice to read a bokk that just states the facts, as known.
June 24, 2018
Amazing!!
An amazing book about airplanes, their crashes and for some their ultimate disappearances which in most cases are not or cannot be explained!!
Paranormal readers will enjoy!!
An amazing book about airplanes, their crashes and for some their ultimate disappearances which in most cases are not or cannot be explained!!
Paranormal readers will enjoy!!
July 14, 2019
Wish we had GPS then
Well researched and well documented stories. Still many mysteries remain. Likely very few of them will ever be resolved. A good and interesting read.
w oft
hem
Well researched and well documented stories. Still many mysteries remain. Likely very few of them will ever be resolved. A good and interesting read.
w oft
hem
September 29, 2019
Bought this on a whim and enjoyed it. It's a quick read. I had never heard of some of the missing flights. The best part is that the author did not have some sort of agenda where she laid out a ridiculous conspiracy theory.
September 30, 2019
Well researched
Many interesting historical facts. Some of these were before my time, but I remember many of the more recent. I was fascinated by the time spent involved trying to solve them. Recommended, especially for mystery and aviation fans.
Many interesting historical facts. Some of these were before my time, but I remember many of the more recent. I was fascinated by the time spent involved trying to solve them. Recommended, especially for mystery and aviation fans.
February 6, 2020
Very interesting book... very. But if you are looking for answers you won't find them here. Theories? Yes. Probable causes? Yes. Answers? No. Not that it is the author's fault mind you, all, or most, of the evidence is missing... without a trace.
June 29, 2019
I enjoy pretty much everything Sylvia Wrigley writes about aviation.
July 12, 2019
Without a trace
Good book with details about airplane accidents that was informative . Brought to light items that I was not aware of!
Good book with details about airplane accidents that was informative . Brought to light items that I was not aware of!
October 1, 2019
Very interesting book.
The author has done quite well obtaining the facts and stories for this book. There was no sensationalism about UFOs abducting every missing pilot.
The author has done quite well obtaining the facts and stories for this book. There was no sensationalism about UFOs abducting every missing pilot.
October 2, 2019
I've always been an aviation nut, so this one was really interesting reading. She has done alot of research here, and I found it most interesting.
October 5, 2019
Very easy to read
This book is easy to read and since each chapter is. Different story it maintained my interest. I recommend reading this book but not when flying.
This book is easy to read and since each chapter is. Different story it maintained my interest. I recommend reading this book but not when flying.
October 7, 2019
Expertly written book. It might be a little elementary to the specialist in this area, but as a general overview, it works well. I enjoyed reading it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews