Chasing Icarus: The Seventeen Days in 1910 That Forever Changed American Aviation

by Gavin Mortimer

In October of 1910, only four years before the outbreak of World War I, nobody knew whether planes, dirigibles, or balloons would prevail. Within a period of seventeen days, this question was on prime display, as the dirigible America tried to cross the Atlantic; huge crowds gathered at horse-racing tracks to watch airplanes race around overhead; and ballooning teams from around the world took off from St. Louis in pursuit of the Bennett International Balloon Cup, given to the balloon that traveled the farthest. The dramatic denouement would stun the country and lay the foundation for the air force. In Chasing Icarus , Gavin Mortimer has plumbed original and primary sources to paint a vivid picture of the launching point of flight, and an indelible portrait of the late-Edwardian world about to explode into war.

Genres: History, Aviation, Nonfiction, American History

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 3, 2009

About the author

For a detailed biography, to learn more about all the books I have written and to discover my forthcoming projects, please visit my website at the above link.

Reviews

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story about the daring pioneers of early aviation, specifically in the autumn of 1910. Mortimer’s prose, while dense, told a riveting story and painted a colorful picture of a traditional black and white remembered history. I have studied aviation all my life and the stories here I had never heard besides the obvious Wright brothers and Glenn Curtis. However, those three were more supplemental characters than mains in this book. Definitely a good read for anyone wanting to know more about the roots of aviation history.

[Carson Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book covers three events in October 1910; the attempted crossing of the Atlantic by an airship, the Gordon Bennett Balloon Cup, and the Gordon Bennett Aviation Cup.

The author does a great job taking the reader through the events, and each chapter (which is a single day) is well laid out with the topics covered in the same order each time which makes it easy to keep track of what is being talked about in each section. The coverage of how the news and people of the time saw these aerial technologies at the (then) peak of their development really gives life to the events.

A great read!

[Corbin Hillam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting. Very detailed account of the early days of flight.

[KennyO · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little fuss is made over aviation today. We've come to accept it as routine, even mundane, as travelers today refer to many fully booked flights as "cattle cars" and become summarily irate when delay is imposed on them by weather or mechanical breakdown. This wasn't at all the case in 1910. Nothing about flying was routine and, except among dreamers, it wasn't at all clear that it ever would become so. In late May of 1910 Glenn H. Curtiss achieved a flight of 150 miles, from Albany, N.Y. to New York City in two and one half hours, average 54 MPH. This was such an extraordinary feat that the New York Times gave it six full pages of text and photos, coverage that probably stands as a record still today. Other aviation milestones of 1910 include the first international aviation meet held in the U.S. at Dominguez Field near Los Angeles in January; races between airplanes and cars are always won by the cars; Charles Rolls round trip crossing of the English Channel; and the first U.S. solo flight by a woman, Blanche Scott in September.

Chasing Icarus is an apt title for this book about men who were self assured about their ability to overreach and succeed. The names of some of these men are well known, others less so. Mortimer lays good groundwork of events as people prepare and practice and strive, often succeeding and, as often, failing and failing fatally. He illustrates the attitudes of people toward flight in 1910 and shows how the press of the time, much like modern media, were more interested in being first to report than they were in getting it fast and right.

There are three parallel stories here and they are unfortunately a bit too independent of each other to paint a full picture of the development of aviation during 1910. There's also not much background on the airships and balloons, though it's to be recognized that they weren't evolving the way airplanes were. Airplanes also offered social glamor that the others lacked as well as having the significant advantage of being able to "perform" before an audience at length. Naturally, there's a share of intrigue and back room deal making.

I found the earlier pages a bit of a slog but from the plates to the end I enjoyed it immensely.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

(slight spoilers, maybe?)
I have little interest in aviation, save for the occasional story about Harrison Ford saving someone from a mountain top in his helicopter, or crashing into a golf course (thank God he's okay!). And airplanes get me places. So there's that.

Which is to say, I'm not sure why I bought this book (it was on the bargain shelf at the U of M bookstore) and then I almost didn't read it. But I am so glad I did. I really, really enjoyed it.

This was one of the few books I've read where I didn't peek ahead. Of course, you do sort of know what happened to people based on the captions in the photo section ("here's the ill-fated Bob Jones and his bi-plane";"Joe Schmoe's flying career was brilliant but brief") and I will admit it was a bit sobering reading the last chapter which details the deaths of several of the pilots.

Mortimer weaves an interesting tale, with bits of society gossip, descriptions of personalities (I didn't realize the Wrights were such sticks in the mud), and of course details of the aviation history. I was most interested in the tale of Hawley and Post and their ballooning adventures both over and in the Canadian wilderness. Not as exciting as the Revenent, but less violent as well.

A book I recommend.

[Cj · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an astonishing perspective on the participants in the first tick on the the clock of aviation. It is very odd to consider airplanes as a "fad", or to consider how people watched in awe as others flew in machines that exceeded the speed of the newfangled motor car. The aviators (not pilots! Considered much too dull a description by the writers of the time) were completely psycho as they tried to get to higher and higher altitudes, farther distances, and faster speeds. Of the aviators mentioned very few lived to see how the technology would change, and even fewer of their names are remembered. Once again proving that history can be so much more exciting than fiction. A terrific glimpse into an amazing time.

[Elderberrywine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing few weeks in October when airplanes, hot air balloons, and dirigibles were all equally the Thing of the Future, and the powers that be at Belmont Park sent them all off against each other. Filled with amazing treats such as Broadway star Post and co-balloonist Hawkins finding themselves wrecked in the Canadian wilds with early winter coming on, their harrowing ordeal, and miraculous rescue by gobsmacked hunters. Not to mention becoming life-long fast friends in the process. Aww, bless.

And then there were the high altitude pilots. Only seven years after Kitty Hawk, these guys repeatedly shot themselves as high up as they could manage. Turns out that was close to 10,000 feet, high enough to where engines would ice over and pilots pass out. Good times.

[Peter Zoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of early flight told through three landmark events of 1910: the International Balloon Cup, the Wellman attempt to cross the Atlantic in a dirigible, and the International Aviation Cup.

For those of you interested in history, especially the history of early flight, this is the book to read. For the rest of you, not so much.

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chasing Icarus gets only three stars because I'm not terribly interested in the minutia of aviation history. But Mortimer tells a good tale, engendering excitement throughout those seventeen days of daring competition, courage in extreme circumstances, and the many personalities, charming, admirable, and otherwise, that inhabited the early aviation chronicles.

[Lester C Harlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very entertaining. IF you're into aviation history or just the time period (early 1900s), there's something here for you. Sure it's like putting already historical events (early flight) under a microscope, but that's what makes it a good read. It's similar to reading something by Erik Larson or David McCullough in that you get a full understanding of the personalities that made the history.

[Nick W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really interesting story weaving the early parts of aviation together. Air races, balloons, record setting, and true danger are throughout the story. What a crazy week. If you enjoy aviation, this is a worthy read if slow at times.

[Rich Mulvey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Competently written, and a worthwhile look at the early years of aviation.

[Maya Dellor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good occasionally thrilling read that made me want to go back to an earlier time when gentlemen existed.

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written and interesting about aviation's coming of age is a short time. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yet another excellent perspective on some the most outstanding aviation pioneers in 1910 with particular focus on Claude Grahame-White.

[Artie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would be a five if the editing was a little better. A really good idea for a book that's well executed by the author.

[Ruth Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story of the early days of aviation.