Bird Dream: Adventures at the Extremes of Human Flight Paperback – July 7, 2015

Who are these guys who dream of flying and what compels them to defy death in their pursuit of that dream? Are they crazy and irresponsible or dedicated admirable athletes? These questions went around in my head as I read Bird Dream and tried to figure out what makes these guys tick. Technically and psychologically well researched, Bird Dream is a breathtaking adventure, intense and dramatic of two men, Jeb Corliss and Gary Connery, who race against each other to be the first to fly in a wingsuit and land without a parachute. Along the way we learn about the adrenaline fueled subculture of BASE jumpers and wingsuit flyers from all over the world and witness both the gritty and the sublime of the sport, from death and bodily destruction to majestic soaring through natural landscapes. The author's research enlightens and his detailed, almost poetic descriptions make this an immensely readable book on many levels. Thoroughly enjoyable, highly recommended to anyone who loves rip roaring thrills and/or a thought provoking study of what inspires great dreams.

But somewhat repetitious...in describing the flight scenarios and the people doing the flying. Way too much ink spent on entitled nimrod Jeb Corliss.

A GREAT READ. CHOOSE BIRD DREAMS AS MY SUMMER READ AND WAS QUICKLY DRAWN INTO THE WORLD OF BASE JUMPERS, AND WINGSUIT PILOTS. THE AUTHOR, MATT HIGGINS IS A GREAT STORY TELLER. HIS ABILITY TO TO EXPLAIN THE TECHNICAL ASPECTS OF THIS EXTREME SPORT, INTRODUCING THE READER TO THE MEMBERS OF THIS SELECT COMMUNITY AND WHAT MAKES THEM "TICK" AND THEN TAKING YOU TO THE EDGE OF A MOUNTAIN IN SOME FAR AWAY PLACE ANXIOUSLY AWAITING ANOTHER FLIGHT. THAN THE AUTHOR DREW ME INTO THE SUSPENSE OF THE QUEST TO LAND WITHOUT A PARACHUTE, I KEPT READING ON CHEERING ON A FELLOW AMERICAN WHILE ADMIRING THE BRIT'S EFFORTS. BIRD DREAMS IS A GREAT READ, A STORY I NEEDED TO FINISH BUT SAD THAT STORY HAD COME TO AN END. HIGGINS WRITING STYLE MAKES FOR AN EASY AND ENJOYABLE READ AND I WILL DEFINETLY KEEP HIM ON MY READING LIST

After a too-long and somewhat boring introduction, this book got pretty interesting.I read it not because I want to be a BASE jumper or fly in a wingsuit, but because I always wonder about the people who do want to do things like this, the adrenalin junkies of the world.This book follows the history of wingsuits, and to a lesser extent, BASE jumping. More interesting to me are the bits about some of the key players in the sport. And I got that, but not to the extent I would have liked.I also got quite a bit about sewing wingsuits, and glide ratios, and technicalities that I found midly interesting, but not in so much detail.The men and, to a lesser extent, women who jump are interesting characters, lots of nerve, a certain amount of ego and hubris, and a bit of selfishness that costs their families.The writing was solid, nothing spectacular, and the book is a good one to be read by those interested in trying the sport. And by those, like I am, who have no intention of jumping off a perfectly good structure or out of a well-functioning aircraft, but who like a little bit of vicarious living.

Puts you in a wingsuit without the danger...also into the minds of the pilots who jump so precariously. Well paced, engaging writing of fascinating personalities, living on an edge few of us dare to consider. Who doesn't dream of flight? Take the plunge here.

I really enjoyed reading this book about the beginning of wingsuits, BASE jumping and the race to land a wingsuit without a parachute. It was well written and the characters were interesting. I would recommend it to anyone who has a taste for adventure.

Fantastic subject matter about extreme people living on the edge. Well written and informative without being overly judgmental about the psychology behind these people

I loved this book! The subjects of skydiving, BASE jumping and wing suit flying are inherently thrilling; but the combination of this thrilling topic, fascinating characters, and Higgins' impeccable skill as a writer make this book a must read!

If you're interested in flying, BASE jumping, or just people pushing the limits to progress a sport then this is a well written, fascinating and thoroughly absorbing book. Highly recommended, it's definitely a book that I'll be reading more than once.

really good read would highly recommend to anyone interested in wingsuiting, It was one of them books that I couldn't put down and was a interesting read throughout.

Very mediocre for this genre.