The Flight

Charles Lindbergh's Daring and Immortal 1927 Transatlantic Crossing

By: Dan Hampton

Narrated by: John Pruden

A gripping and unique in-the-cockpit account of Charles Lindbergh's extraordinary first transatlantic flight from New York to Paris, by acclaimed aviation historian and former fighter pilot Dan Hampton - "one of the most decorated pilots in Air Force history" (New York Post).

America's finest aviation story in the hands of our finest aviation historian, The Flight is Dan Hampton's biggest, most dramatic book yet.

On the morning of May 20, 1927, a little-known pilot named Charles Lindbergh waited to take off from Roosevelt Field on Long Island. He was determined to claim the $25,000 Orteig Prize promised to the first pilot to fly nonstop from New York to Paris - a contest that had already claimed six men's lives. Just 25 years old, Lindbergh had never before flown over water. Yet 33 hours later, his single-engine monoplane, The Spirit of St. Louis, touched down in Paris. Overnight, Charles Lindbergh became the most famous aviator of all time.

The Flight is a long overdue flyer's-eye-view look at Lindbergh's legendary journey. Decorated fighter pilot and best-selling author Dan Hampton offers a unique appreciation for Lindbergh's accomplishment: Hampton has flown the exact same route many times, knowledge that informs and shapes The Flight. Relying upon a trove of primary sources, including Lindbergh's own personal diary and writings, Hampton crafts a dramatic narrative of a challenging, death-defying feat that many had believed was impossible.

Moving hour by hour, Hampton recounts Lindbergh's uncertainty over his equipment and his courage as he traverses the vast darkness of the Atlantic with no radar. Moving between the sky and ground, Hampton intersperses the tale of the flight with Lindbergh's personal history as well as some of the stories of those waiting for him on the ground, praying he would make it safely across.

©2017 Ascalon, LLC (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers

A Great Read!

Anything Dan Hampton writes is wonderful read or listen. He fully immerses you in his stories. If he wrote a book on hanging wall paper I would buy it! Dan is an amazingly talented writer!

Only by Risking Much Can One Gain Much

Any additional comments?

The skill and brutal force of will that Lindbergh possessed was never better evidenced than in this book. Humans live history....extraordinary humans make history.

Another great one!

Any additional comments?

Dan Hampton is an incredible author. I'm a professional pilot and his books are top notch for aviation buffs. John Pruden does total justice to Hamptons books. In fact, it's hard to imagine listening to a Dan Hampton effort with any other voice.

Lindbergh Was A Very Interesting Person

Lindbergh Was A Very Interesting Person

I learned a lot I didn't know about his flight across the Atlantic but I also felt that his life after his accomplishment was touched upon but was not described as well as it could have been. I do understand that this book was about his transatlantic crossing, there were areas of his life after that which were touched upon but not fully explained. The book is very pro-Lindbergh and made no mention of any of the negatives he was also associated with (such as his anti Semitic feelings and the fact that he was a suspect in the kidnapping of his own child) Overall, a very good listen.

Aloft with Lucky Lindy ~

Having previously listened to “The Aviators” by Winston Groom and as a pilot myself, I was certainly familiar with the story of Lindbergh’s solo flight to Paris and the contributions he made to military aviation, matters which were also covered here.
This audiobook covers in detail his family and personal history going back several generations, and then relates his moment-by-moment experiences on his most famous flight. Then it tracks the aftermath, both the good and the bad.
Well-documented and with well-performed narration, this is a strong thumbs-up.

Puts You Right In The Cockpit Flying to Paris!

Charles A. Lindbergh's solo flight to Paris is the ultimate "Hero's Journey" story and this Audiobook's story and performance is superb. Like a 20th century Luke Skywalker, his flight epitomizes the archetypal essence of the universal Hero's Journey, and I think only this could explain the incredible public response to his achievement.

I have listened multiple times and always find something interesting that I hadn't thought about before.

Sure, there are elements of Lindbergh's later life that, certainly with the benefit of hind-sight, might topple him off his pedestal. He was, surprise, like all of us, a fallible human being who, in his case happened to have done an incredibly brave and daring thing at the young age of 25.

I have to admit that I have recently read about a dozen biographical, autobiographical, and historical fiction books about Charles and also Anne (his wife). Compared to all these books, this excellent audio-book is the best account of the actual flight that I have encountered.

Bravo, Dan Hampton and John Pruden!

Sierra Hotel

Fellow Vioer Driver Dan H has crafted a masterpiece. A must listen to be added to your list. If you’re a fan of the Spirit of St Louis, look no further.
V/R
RR

Not Much New, But Good Listen

This is an entertaining book that, as its title suggests, focuses on Lindbergh's transatlantic flight in the Spirit of St. Louis, although it mentions other aspects of Lindbergh's complex and sometimes controversial life.

The book reminds us of the considerable risk that Lindbergh took in making the flight and the accomplishment. The book tells the story fluidly and moves along.

Good read.

Gripping account of his life - focus on "Flight"

Well written and performed. It seems that if you want to know truth of Lindbergh's flight - in excellent, full 3D detail this is the book for you! Being a pilot myself it was great to hear Lindbergh's life and the details of his historic flight from a famous fighter pilot that lives in the cockpit and shares from that special perspective..

Best Aviation

Cannot think of many other books rating 10+. History wise: excellence. Narrator:Top notch.
Highly recommended.