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The Wright Brothers: The Remarkable Story of the Aviation Pioneers Who Changed the World
The definitive book on the Wright Brothers and the birth of powered flight.
‘explains the science with such clarity … This is a wonderful human story.’ The Sunday Telegraph
On 17 December 1903 Orville Wright took off in the Wright Flyer and flew for twelve seconds, covering a distance of 105 feet. Over the course of the day Orville and his brother Wilbur made a further three flights. They had achieved their seemingly impossible they had built a plane that could fly.
How did these brothers come to invent the first successful powered aeroplane? And who were these two men that changed the course of history?
Ian Mackersey’s authoritative book charts the development of the Orville and Wilbur’s flying machines from initial designs to the famous twelve second flight through to the aftermath of this historic moment when the brothers continued to improve on their inventions against rising international competition. The Wright Brothers draws upon a wealth of previously unpublished Wright family correspondence to provide insight into the personalities of these two remarkable men and the triumphs and tragedies of their family.
‘His biography turns their heady science into a gripping intellectual thriller.’ The Guardian
‘Mackersey, an excellent writer as well as a keen flyer, handles his subject with the assurance of long familiarity. . . reads like a particularly exciting novel.’ The Independent
‘It’s hard to imagine who wouldn’t find it absorbing to read.’ The Financial Times
‘a gifted storyteller, his biography keeps you on the edge of your seat’ Birmingham Post
‘Mackersey’s authoritative style and penchant for research breaks through the myth surrounding the brothers. This is the definitive book on the Wright Brothers and the birth of powered flight.’ York Evening Press
'Mackersey constructs a narrative of considerable dramatic power.' History Today
‘A carefully compiled and well assembled work’ Aeroplane Monthly
'Mackersey has reached for the sky in his prose to match the epic, offering as exciting a story as we are ever likely to get on those early years of flight.' Oxford Times
‘explains the science with such clarity … This is a wonderful human story.’ The Sunday Telegraph
On 17 December 1903 Orville Wright took off in the Wright Flyer and flew for twelve seconds, covering a distance of 105 feet. Over the course of the day Orville and his brother Wilbur made a further three flights. They had achieved their seemingly impossible they had built a plane that could fly.
How did these brothers come to invent the first successful powered aeroplane? And who were these two men that changed the course of history?
Ian Mackersey’s authoritative book charts the development of the Orville and Wilbur’s flying machines from initial designs to the famous twelve second flight through to the aftermath of this historic moment when the brothers continued to improve on their inventions against rising international competition. The Wright Brothers draws upon a wealth of previously unpublished Wright family correspondence to provide insight into the personalities of these two remarkable men and the triumphs and tragedies of their family.
‘His biography turns their heady science into a gripping intellectual thriller.’ The Guardian
‘Mackersey, an excellent writer as well as a keen flyer, handles his subject with the assurance of long familiarity. . . reads like a particularly exciting novel.’ The Independent
‘It’s hard to imagine who wouldn’t find it absorbing to read.’ The Financial Times
‘a gifted storyteller, his biography keeps you on the edge of your seat’ Birmingham Post
‘Mackersey’s authoritative style and penchant for research breaks through the myth surrounding the brothers. This is the definitive book on the Wright Brothers and the birth of powered flight.’ York Evening Press
'Mackersey constructs a narrative of considerable dramatic power.' History Today
‘A carefully compiled and well assembled work’ Aeroplane Monthly
'Mackersey has reached for the sky in his prose to match the epic, offering as exciting a story as we are ever likely to get on those early years of flight.' Oxford Times
Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
May 18, 2019
One of my favourite reads. Mackersey guides the reader through the privations and difficulties the brothers faced in getting airborne with such clarity and detail that the reader is propelled alongside them on their journey. As the first short flight is made at Kitty Hawk, one shares the sense of achievement; when only months later, their craft is capable of sustaining a controlled flight of 5 minutes, the sense of wonder and incredulity that must have been experienced by witnesses is palpable. This story is framed by their often harsh upbringing and troubled later years, and is all the richer for it. Highly recommended if you have any interest in aviation, engineering, or modern history - frankly even if you simply appreciate an engaging story, well told.
May 12, 2023
my review of The Remarkable Story of Aviation Pioneers Who Challenged the World
I enjoyed the history very much as to all the different attempts by so many to solve the mystery of heavier than air powered flight. When the Wrights did finally succeed I was not surprised at the attempts many tried to steal the greatness of the achievement. Was also dismayed at the lack of appreciation of our own government to see the value of flight. It was interesting to learn of the personalities of the brothers and their family. Would recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of flight.
I enjoyed the history very much as to all the different attempts by so many to solve the mystery of heavier than air powered flight. When the Wrights did finally succeed I was not surprised at the attempts many tried to steal the greatness of the achievement. Was also dismayed at the lack of appreciation of our own government to see the value of flight. It was interesting to learn of the personalities of the brothers and their family. Would recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of flight.
September 22, 2023
The Wright Brothers
This was a very interesting book about Wilbur and Orville Wright. He told of their humble beginnings in Dayton Ohio bicycle shop and became interested in airplanes. They started with gliders and experimented with a number of different ideas that were mostly a head of the rest of the world in powered flight. Together they were brilliant, and the brothers and their sister Kathrine work to provide America in the world with the first powered flight. This book provides some very interesting American history.
This was a very interesting book about Wilbur and Orville Wright. He told of their humble beginnings in Dayton Ohio bicycle shop and became interested in airplanes. They started with gliders and experimented with a number of different ideas that were mostly a head of the rest of the world in powered flight. Together they were brilliant, and the brothers and their sister Kathrine work to provide America in the world with the first powered flight. This book provides some very interesting American history.
December 13, 2023
winged irony
A triumph and struggle. The Wright’s unyielding endeavor lspawned a battle that extended past the brother’s invention of true fight in 3 dimensions. The improbable combination of talents and character of the two brothers enabled them to formulate empirical aeronautical data that transcended the guesswork of previous experiments prior to the brother’s use of a wind tunnel. This book also examined the ultimately tragic conflict between Katherine and Oroville Wright.
A triumph and struggle. The Wright’s unyielding endeavor lspawned a battle that extended past the brother’s invention of true fight in 3 dimensions. The improbable combination of talents and character of the two brothers enabled them to formulate empirical aeronautical data that transcended the guesswork of previous experiments prior to the brother’s use of a wind tunnel. This book also examined the ultimately tragic conflict between Katherine and Oroville Wright.
January 2, 2013
Really enjoyed this book. Well written, great insights, would have liked 5% more technical discussion around their discoveries. At the end left feeling slightly sorry for all concerned during this marvellous period around the invention of controlled flight. Well worth reading.
October 25, 2014
A truly remarkable story, and well narrated by Mackersey.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews