Dawn Over Kitty Hawk: The novel of the Wright Brothers

Dawn Over Kitty Hawk: The novel of the Wright Brothers by Walter J. Boyne; Tom Doherty Associates, LLC, 175 5th St., New York, NY 10010; 400 pages; $24.95.

Having reached the centennial of the first flight this year, it is interesting to survey the unbelievable progress made during the century. From its many military uses to its popularity with civilians as they travel the world, the airplane has changed the planet like no other invention; and it all started with what the Wright Brothers called the "Flyer."

These two American pioneers had the "outlandish" idea that powered flight was not only possible but would also become almost routine. Author and historian Walter J. Boyne is ideal to tell the story of Orville and Wilbur Wright and their monumental effort because he has the talent to bring the two to life as real people-something different from the usual references that paint them as being as stiff as the mannequins that portray them in museum exhibits.

Blending fact and fiction, the author effectively enlarges our knowledge of an engaging collection of familiar persons from the last century who all vied with the Wrights to build and fly the first powered aircraft. Boyne always writes well, and this highly imaginative work is written in an accommodating style that explains technical details in a manner that is easily understood. For those who are interested in those early, heady days when powered flight still eluded us, they will not be disappointed by this wonderful book-it is a journey well worth taking.

Copyright Air Age Publishing Dec 2003
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