Chasing Icarus

Chasing Icarus: Seventeen Days in 1910 that forever changed American aviation by Gavin Mortimer. Those magnificent men in their flying machines were active in October 1910. A dirigible launched a transoceanic attempt from Atlantic City. Balloonists ascended in a contest for longest-flight bragging rights. Heavier-than-air-machines revved up to compete. In contrast, the airplane meet was a drama with wealthy sportsmen - which most entrants besides businessmen Orville and Wilbur Wright were - wrecking their machines and retreating to hotels or hospitals as necessary. For fans of death-defying early aviation, Mortimer's history is great fun. Paperback, 305 pages.