The Sound of Wings: The Life of Amelia Earhart Paperback – Illustrated, September 1, 2009

No matter how you slice it AE's story is a tragedy. It's also a story with the ending known (she disappeared). However, this is a very well writen biography. Actually it is a double biography in that it includes both Amelia and her husband George, both from birth to death. I have a much better impression of George Putnam than I had before. It was also good to understand Amelia was a head strong person and actively sought out each new adventure. That is, rather than being manipulated by her publicist husband. As a Purdue graduate I also enjoyed learning more about Amelia's relationship with the university. There she was lecturing a Purdue class during the month I was born. That the university essentially paid for Amelia's Lockheed Electra is amazing.

Amelia was never considered a natural pilot or even a very good one. Her beauty was natural and character exceeded all her contemporaries for strength, adventure, imagination and courage. Amelia's story should be more than her last, fatal flight across the Pacific ocean. She challenged and succeeded in equaling what men had done in early aviation frontiers in the face of ridicule and doubt. She helped create the modern air transportation industry by making air travel accessible, showing that even a women could fly safely! This is one of the better books describing her complete life, without worship or criticism.

MY ADULT SON & I WERE GOING TO KANSAS CITY FOR THANKSGIVING AND WE DECIDED TO VISIT AMELIA'S BIRTHPLACE AND I WANTED TO READ UP ON HERSTORY AND HER TERRIBLE LOSS. VISITING THE MUSEUM WAS A TRUE EXPERIENCE, WE WERE THE ONLY VISITORS AND IT WAS AMAZING. SHE WAS AN AMAZING WOMAN,SO VERY FAR AHEAD OF HER TIME AND ITS SAD TO THINK SHE COULD HAVE CHANGED WOMENS' EXPERIENCE HAD SHE LIVED LONGER. WHO KNOWS WHAT SHE COULD HAVE ACCOMPLISHED. A MUST READ FOR THE AMELIA LOVER!

Interesting but falls a bit short of thrilling. Learned a lot about George Putman.

Amelia was not a very good pilot, rather reckless and very lucky till the end. Had she spent time with the new Bendix Radio things may have turned out different for her.

Our daughter used information in this book for a 3rd grade school project on Amelia Earhart. Some sections were too difficult, but the transcripts of radio communication were of particular interest to our daughter.

very well written; wish it would have had more photos

IMPECABLE