I just finished reading, The Wright Brothers by David McCullough. It is a terrific way to rekindle the awe that we should feel about being Americans. Every country throws off both good and bad, for however long history allows it to last, but some glow with a certain splendor. In reading about these two plain, determined brothers, it is staggering the impact they had on all of history. From the beginning of time humans wanted to do what they finally accomplished. The only comparable match in my experience was Neil Armstrong landing on the moon. He carried a tiny swatch from the wing of the Wright’s first plane with him. Below is a real photo of Wilbur Wright flying around the Statue of Liberty while thousands saw his plane for the very first time.
– Regis Boff
Photo Credit: The Wright Brothers in Fort Myer, Virginia by C.H. Claudy (Public Domain)
[…] Neither did I before reading The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris, David McCullogh’s great recent (2012) history of American expatriates in Paris from 1830 to 1900. (Yeah, his Wright Brothers bio is more recent, and predictably excellent, but of course it’s already been reviewed here.) […]
[…] For a little more serious look at some history, check out our posts Being Amazed Never Gets Old and We Owe Paris, both covering worthwhile reads from David McCullough (the first about The Wright […]