Reviews (1)

Amelia Earhart-Young Aviator
Amelia Earhart was a very courageous young pilot, and she helped inspire young women to fly. In the book, Amelia Earhart: Young Aviator, by Beatrice Gormley, in the Childhood of Famous Americans series, the author describes Amelia Earhart as extraordinarily brave. This book tells almost everything a person would want to know about Amelia Earhart.

Amelia flew her plane until she wanted to retire. Before she retired, though, she wanted to make one last record-breaking flight. She planned to fly around the entire world, making stops only to refuel her plane. Near one of the islands she was supposed to land at, she mysteriously disappeared into the fog. No one knows what happened to her. We don't even know where she lies. We just know of her great achievements. ... Read more

Book Description

Amelia Earhart was a woman of many "firsts." In 1932, she became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. In 1935, she also became the first woman to fly across the Pacific. From her early years to her mysterious 1937 disappearance while attempting a flight around the world, readers will find Amelia Earhart's life a fascinating story. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent
My 7 year old son could not put this book down! He read the entire book in one afternoon, and then was able to complete his biography project for school without any additional research. The book brought Amelia Earhart to life; it was comprehensive and interesting, with so many insights that I had never known before. There were also numerous sketches and maps which would keep a youngster engaged throughout the book. This book gets a resounding "WOW!" from us. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fascinating Look at an Aviation Pioneer
This book has earned a place in my libary. Filled with obscure yet extremely interesting information about Amelia Earheart. Covers everything and more. The best biography I've ever read on Amelia.

Excellent story of Amelia life & disappearance-PHOTOS GREAT!
Excellent 320 page book with photos and documents on every page. This is the best account I have seen about the facts behind Amelia's last flight, disappearance over the Pacific and interviews by those who worked on her plane/knew her or were on the searched for Amelia and Fred, July 2, 1937. For the first time information is available about Fred Noonan, Amelia's naviagor that disappeared along with her.There is a chronology of Amelia's last flight collected from thousands of pages of records from the Navy and Coast Guard ships' logs, White House records, and data from sources including Western Electric, Lockheed Corporation and the Japanese Government ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Fantastic!
My whole family loves these books, and Amelia Earhart is my daughter's current favorite. We own about seven of the books in this series, and each one is as good as the next. We are planning to collect the whole series. They are a second or third grade reading level but the information is presented clearly enough that younger kids can grasp the essentials. At the same time, there is enough substance that older kids have plenty to think about. Adults can learn something too! I recommend this book, and the whole series, very highly.

Best Kids' Book About Amelia On The Market!
This easy to read biography is the best on the market aboutAmelia Earhart! Adler's series is outstanding and this is one of hisbest!From learning about her plucky attitude as a little girl (building a roller coaster in her backyard and pelting boys with mud balls!) to her mysterious disappearance, young readers will be captivated by Amelia Earhart! END ... Read more

Reviews (6)

Awesome Reading
The time and research it must have taken to write this book is commendable. We have a read so much about Amelia but to hear about Dorothy and the incredible life that she lead was truley facinating. I would highly reccomend reading this book.

A history lesson on the Putnams and Amelia Earhart
This is the story of the Putnam family and Amelia Earhart. George Putnam eventually married Amelia, but prior to that was her publicity director and writer of her adventures. Also interesting to learn is the Putnam family was huge in the publishing industry back then but also have a part in the invention of Crayola crayons. Much of the book is Dorothy's diary, which makes it kindof a slow read.

I Lost Interest ...
I've read many books about the great aviatrix, Amelia Earhart. This one tells of Amelia's role in an already failed marriage, much like our country has given us the personal failures of our own President. Although the connection to Amelia is the lure of the book, the story is based more on the author's free-will interpretations of her grandmother's diaries -- what she must have thought, reacted, felt. The entries, in Dorothy's voice, seem distorted with many episodes, imagined. Should everyone's diary be at the mercy of their relative's own interpretations after their death? If the grandmother had written from memory, exactly how it was, would the story change? Dorothy's diary held the details of a troubled life (for a woman of privilege), still (without her input) and the author's self-promoting connection as a the distant "step-great-granddaughter" is hardly the stuff of interesting literature. I would recommend readers acquire actual biographical books to satisfy real curiosity about the lives of deceased heroes.

Much Ado Over One Woman's Family Connections.
This book begins with a touched-up photo on the cover, meant to superimpose the characters upon each other. How much of the assumptions about how Dorothy Putnam felt or how she really reacted in her status as a publisher's wife can a reader believe? Surely, there is a story in Amelia Earhart's life for all time, but this book seems to be a sort of self-promotion for the author's distant family connections -- the (yet-unborn) great granddaughter of the (already deceased) Amelia Earhart. If the book were written based on Dorothy Putnam's own version of the story or Amelia's version, it might be more believable. Still, it is always interesting material to delve into anyone's personal diary -- famous or not....

A true delight to read!
I just finished reading Mrs. Chapman's book and I truly loved it. At times I felt sorry for Dorothy Putnam, but then the next thing I knew I was commending her for her bravado. Both Dorothy Putnam and Amelia Earhart seemed to be women ahead of thier time, although Dorothy's acheivements seemed to be overshadowed by Amelia Earharts. Even though the Binney's and Putnam's came from privileged backgrounds the author still shows us some of the struggles they faced in their everyday lives.

I grew up in the town of Ft. Pierce where Dorothy had a homestead called Immokolee, and enjoyed reading about the earlier days of Ft. Pierce and some of the people who called it home. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

I think flying is cool.
I think this is a fabulous book because it has to do with flying. It's a very good biography because it tells you all about Amelia's life.

This is a wonderful, must-have book for anyone!
I work at a library and came across this book when it first came out. I checked it out, took it home, and was reluctant to take it back. I just ordered the book because I can't forget about it. Disregard the fact that it is geared toward the young people, it is for every age. I'm 35 years old and found it an excellent biography. I love the quotes of Amelia's that are dispersed throughout the book on her philosophy of life as a person and as a woman. It's a wonderful, concise edition that should be in every biographical library. And especially wonderful for our young ladies in today's world. ... Read more

Book Description

For more than sixty years people have wondered what happened to Amelia Earhart. Here at last is the answer.

In 1937, Amelia Earhart disappeared into the Pacific Ocean only days from completing her famous around-the-world flight. Her plane was never found. Now, with the recent discovery of long-lost radio messages, combined with authors Elgen M. Long and Marie K. Long's twenty-five years of research, the mystery surrounding Earhart has been solved. Amelia Earhart: The Mystery Solved simultaneously reveals their findings and brings to life the primitive conditions under which early aviators flew -- including lack of radar, unreliable communications, grass landing strips, and poorly mapped islands -- reminding us just how daring Earhart was. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

amelia earhart
I'VE READ ABOUT TWENTY BOOKS ABOUT EARHART'S DISAPPEARANCE AND THIS IS THE BEST BOOK BY FAR! IF YOU ONLY READ ONE BOOK ABOUT AMELIA EARHART AND FRED NOONAN THIS IS THE ONE TO BUY.

A sensible answer at last
Very reminiscent of Gerald Posner's 'Case Closed' this book shows that an apparently unanswerable question can be answered if informed knowledge is brought to bear with clear logic and meticulous research. A fascinating and 'factual' analysis of the doomed aviatrix' last mission and a plausible explanation for the end. The Longs have written what must be considered the 'definitive' book on this undying mystery.

Crash or splash?
'The wing tips wobbled slightly, and suddenly the plane began veering to the left with increasing speed...it swung around and tilted with its right wing tip almost almost scraping the mat. The right landing gear suddenly collapsed, followed shortly by the left gear, and the plane slid on its belly. A shower of sparks spurted from the airplane...' Honolulu, March 1937, and Amelia Earhart's plane Electra has just crashed while attempting to take off on a test flight. The crash was bad news for the famous American woman aviator and her team: it meant they had to approach their financial backers for more funds to repair the plane if Earhart was to fly around the world. They got the money, of course, but worse was to come: Earhart and her navigator disappeared four months later on July 2, 1937, on the longest stretch of their epic trans-global flight. Since then what exactly happened to the Electra and its occupants has been a mystery. One of the stranger rumours have been that Earhart and her navigator were captured and spirited away by the Japanese, who had rather frosty relations with America in the days before Pearl Harbour and World War 2. But here the authors claim to solve the mystery: according to their reckoning, and backed up with a swag of maps, radio transmissions and estimates, they say the Electra simply ran out of fuel somewhere around their destination of Howland Island, in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. The plane (and the remains of its occupants) are lying 17,000 feet below the water somewhere around the tiny island. The mystery, of course, is why did it happen? Long-distance flying was extremely dangerous in those days, but it wasn't complete guesswork: Earhart had the latest and best radio, planned her flights with great care and had support and encouragement from the highest levels. However, several factors - minor on their own - all contributed to the disaster that took place. The Electra's radio equipment was so new it didn't have an accompanying instruction manual. Navigator Fred Noonan was relying on a map which showed Howland Island six miles west of where it really was. The wind was slightly stronger than Earhart thought it was, thus pushing her further away from the right direction. There was a US Navy vessel near the island, but radio contact between it and Earhart was sporadic, and they never saw each other. The book is very detailed, and contains a lot of technical information. There is much talk about mile radius, azimuth and radio frequencies. The authors do a sterling job of explaining the technical stuff where necessary while narrating an exciting tale. One of the later chapters examines the 'area of uncertainty' the Electra had to grapple with on its last flight: the agonising calculations that Noonan would have performed in an effort to determine where the Electra was, and where Howland Island was. The Electra is still at the bottom of the ocean somewhere. Despite the careful research, the mystery of Earhart's last flight won't fully be solved until the plane is found - as with our own Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and his Lady Southern Cross. 'Is the emergency equipment still there? Are there any signs of remains? There are dozens of questions that can be answered only be recovering the plane,' the authors conclude.

THE STRENGTH OF A WOMEN
I FIND THE BOOK VERY INTERESTING, EXCITING. IT REALLY MAKES YOU THING ABOUT WHAT REALLY HAPPENED\ IT SHOWS THE STRENGTH OF WOMEN BACK THEN. IT WOULD BE NICE TO ACTUALLY FIND THE PLANE AND SETTLE ALL THE CONTROVERSE, TO FINALLY GET CLOSURE. GREAT BOOK.

First Date with Amelia
I found the account of Earhart's last trip quite satisfying. It is well-researched (50 pages of appendices and footnotes) and believable. Some comparisons can be made to McLean's Young Men and Fire (1995). In both, I found some scenes and ideas riveting, but the line upon line of times, dates, positions, etc. became tedious in The Mystery Solved (I became similarly tired of wind directions, wind speeds, drafts, etc. in Young Men). I had to read some of the messages transmitted by Earhart two or three times to figure them out (Hello Stop I will not be able to land Stop . . ). As a first-time reader of the ill-fated trip, I had no background knowledge of the flight or of any of the so-called outlandish theories as to the reasons for the Electra's disappearance, so I began the read with an open mind.

I would recommend the 250-page book to anyone at all interested in the flight. I gobbled it up actually, reading it in 7 or 8 hours. I found myself almost gnashing my teeth when I learned of the mistakes that could have been so easily prevented. For example, minutes before the takeoff for Howland Island, Amelia asked Bulfour (a radio expert in Lae, New Guinea) to accompany them. He declined because it was so "last minute." Had she a radio expert on this final leg, the round-the- world flight would had been successful. Like so many explorers and adventurers (the 1995 Everest Team, for example) seemingly inconsequential tasks, requests and messages could have prevented the tragic outcomes. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The persistent dream
We live a World where every new technology is ogled at, studied, and reviewed months before it is on the market. We spend our time trying to find faster and easier ways to do things in the future. In a world like this, the past is given very little thought. I very much doubt your Wall Street sharpie could tell you a lot about the War of 1812, or the St. Valentine's Day massacre.

But the past is not lost. There are a few incidents, which remain with us today. One of these history-making events that are in the minds of all of us is the legacy of Amelia Earhart. She is with us because her dream and her story are eternal. Hers is the story of a hero. A woman venturing on a path that many of her male counterparts would never dare. But this book not only relates the heroic tale of this woman, but the dream she left us with. The dream of an existence that was not always cut and dry. Not just a Lawyer, or a accountant, or a housewife. We could be anything, if we reach for it, and feel it strongly enough in ourselves. And as her dream has persisted through the decades, so has her story, and her sprit. ... Read more

Book Description

Book Description

Many books have been written about the disappearance of Amelia Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, but Thomas E. Devine is the only eyewitness to write about the subject. With Our Own Eyes presents the never-before-published eyewitness testimony of more than two dozen former GIs who support and corroborate Devine's account establishing Earhart's presence and death on Saipan following her last flight on July 2, 1937.

During the invasion of Saipan in 1944, Thomas Devine was a sergeant in the not-yet-activated 244th Army Postal Unit. Soon after arrival, Devine encountered a group of enlisted Marines at Aslito Field guarding a hangar containing Earhart's Electra. Devine's examination of the Electra and the many statements, reports and letters by others on Saipan at that time weave together the facts missing from other books. Campbell makes a convincing argument and sheds more light on Devine's personal experience and subsequent corroborating testimony from ex-GIs on World War II Saipan. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Alex V. Mandel
I am interested in Amelia Earhart and her disappearance mystery for 21 years. I have read this book and my impression is very positive.
During decades there were a lot of books, articles etc. written about this subject (Earhart's disappearance), but alas too frequently they were overflooded by rumors, baseless guesses, stretches and speculations without any firm factual support.
The Mike Campbell's book is principally different. It is based on firm first-hand evidence from many independent sources, whose credibility gives no food for doubts - there are former US Soldiers, who really were on the place of events and saw what they saw.
The book is free of guesses and speculations - authors doesn't builds some "versions" or "theories" but just presents the data obtained by them during many years from many independent sources, with extensive details, and the book includes many written reports and official documents.
As result the book gives a very complete and convincing picture about What Happened with Amelia Earhart. The book is written with clear accuracy and respect to facts and to the "subject" of the book - the great heroine of 20th century and US history, whose name alas was already too frequently used for unfair speculations of any sorts. Mike Campbell's book makes an extremely good job for to correct this sad error.
I would highly recommend this book for anybody interested in this great mystery.
Alex V.Mandel ... Read more

Book Description

These true-life tales of aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart, based on the remembrances of her sister Pidge, will inspire and thrill young readers. Kids will cheer as Amelia rescues two neighbor boys from an angry dog and when she builds her own "rolly coaster" off the roof of her grandparents' shed. Amelia's fascination at seeing her first airplane, as well as her curiosity, courage, and determination to learn, will make this portrayal of an American heroine a favorite of both children and adults. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

A great book
Amelia Earhart is a very good book. I think every child ages 9 - 12 should read Amelia Earhart because it teaches them to do what you want to do. Amelia's dad was trying to stop her but Amelia said it was her dream to fly. Amelia always liked to see the airplanes take off to fly. I think Amelia Earhart is a very excellent book.

I enjoyed reading this wonderful story about Amelia Earhart.
Once I started reading this book, I had a hard time putting it down. I thought this was a super book and I can't wait to read more of the "Young Patriots Series." I highly recommend this book to kids my own age (10 years old).

Brittani Castle

Entertaining and inspiring
Amelia Earhart, Young Air Pioneer is well written, delightful and nicely illustrated. A geat read for both boys and girls, ages 8-12, and sure to entertain and inspire. ... Read more

Book Description

Amelia Earhart was a famous woman pilot. She is about to set off on the most dangerous flight ever attempted. Find out what happens in Flying Ace, The Story of Amelia Earhart. These 48-page books about fascinating subjects like pirates, mummies, and volcanoes are for proficient readers who can understand a rich vocabulary and challenging sentence structure. In addition to the stunning photographs, informative sidebars, and glossary, readers will find archival photographs and paintings. Averaging 4,500 to 5,000 words in length, Level 4 books are 40 percent pictures and 40 percent text.The Dorling Kindersley Readers combine an enticing visual layout with high-interest, easy-to-read stories to captivate and delight young bookworms who are just getting started. Written by leading children's authors and compiled in consultation with literacy experts, these engaging books build reader confidence along with a lifelong appreciation for nonfiction, classic stories, and biographies. There is a DK Reader to interest every child at every level, from preschool to grade 4. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Flying Ace: The Story of Amelia Earhart
This book is a well written and interesting biography of Amelia Earhart.It includes many photographs of Earhart and interesting additional information about the era in which she lived. My daughter was fascinated by all the information about how different the opportunities for women were in the first half of this century. Earhart's life story was clearly explained and the photos,newspaper headlines,and illustrations added a wonderful realism to the biography.This book was a terrific introduction to biographies for my third grade daughter! ... Read more

Book Description

In 1942, with war raging on two fronts and military pilots in short supply, the U.S. Army Air Force enlisted a handful of skilled female aviators to deliver military planes from factories to air bases--expanding the successful program to include more than one thousand women. These superb pilots flew every aircraft in the U.S. Army Air Force--including B-26s when men were afraid to--logging more than siz million miles in all kinds of weather. yet when World War II ended, their wartime heroism was left unheralded.

In 1961, with the dawn of the space age, a handful of top female pilots took part in a new program termed "Women in Space." Subjected to the same rigorous tests as the Mercury astronauts, thirteen women--top-notch pilots--were admitted to the program. Once again women had reason to dream...that at least oneof them would be the first of their sex in space. The matter went as far as Congress, where dramatic hearings included testimony from astronauts John Glenn and Scott Carpenter. But their hopes were dashed. These skilled aviators had the "right stuff" at the wrong time, and again women were denied their place in history. This is their story, one of courage, ferocity, adn patriotism.

Reviews (9)

From WASPS To MERCURY
Hainsworth and Toomey have done an excellent job in creating an overview of women as pilots and the special challenges they met in WWII through the Mercury Astronaut testing program. Their research is sound, the writing is easy to digest. They do credit to two groups of women who have been often kept from the history books.

a good book
This is a good book. I liked the people in it and the stories were interesting. There was a lot of stuff here I never knew before.

Daughters delivers verve, wit, and spellbinding history
I picked up this book on a friend's recommendation and with few expectations. I had had no interest in aviation, am a tremulous airplane passenger, and when my fourth grade class assembled to watch the histoic moon landing, I had more interest in one small boy next to me than I did in one small step for man. Not anymore. Haynsworth's and Toomey's gripping narrative style and rigorous scholarship provide what few history books do, page-turning excitement. This book conveys the miraculous wonder that spectators must have experienced at early barn-storming events: breathless amazement at mankind flying high and fast beyond the clouds and straight into the impossible. From contraptions of wood and wire, barely recognizable as planes, to 6.2 million pound machines hurtling through the air at speeds of 6,000 miles an hour, Amelia Earhart's Daughters presents the great scope of the history of women in aviation. Walk, run, hell, fly to your nearest bookstore and pick up this book, you'll be glad you did and grateful to these pioneer women aviators and the authors for letting you share the ride.

Makes Me Feel A Mile-High
The stories of women innovators always excite, but the story told by Haynsworth and Toomey is inspirational. More than a feel-good book, however, this book ranks as the best historical text I've read since "The Rape of Europa." Amelia Earhart's Daughters should make its way into all high-school reading lists. The stories of these unknown angels are vital components of the story of women in the 20th Century.

a great book about the exploits of heroic women
Some of these stories are incredible--when Pat Patterson and Marge Gilbert land a B-26 on one engine, when Hazel Ying Lee gets mistaken for a Japanese pilot, when Nancy Love buzzes a control tower because the control tower operator can't imagine that a women is flying a P-51 Mustang. It's gripping stuff! ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Very Thorough Biography
Lost Star is a brilliantly written biography. After reading this book I could remember every detail in Amelia Earhart's life. The only problem with this book is, like a lot of other biographies it isn't very exciting and not even once during the book could I not put the book down. But if you're interested in Amelia Earhart's life you have to read this.
The book starts off talking about Amelia's childhood, about her fathers drinking problems. Then it talks about her training as a pilot and her different jobs she gets. It talks about each of her record braking flights, giving details like the names of her planes and even says details like what the weather was like when she was taking off. Finally it talks about her mysterious disappearance at sea and talks about the many theories about what happened to her. This was the first biography I read and since I enjoyed it so much, I probably will read many more

Lost Star
I thought it was a very interesting book that sometimes couldn't put down. It was written well and the thing I liked best was the part where the author explained her whole childhood, good and bad times. This book kept me busy, I highly recommend it to anyone.

Excellent biography for children
I use this novel in my fourth grade classroom and it is a hit! It is finely written and easy to understand. I recommend it to any child who is interested in aviation, adventure, or just wants to read a story about a strong person like AE.

Compelling but somewhat flawed.
Randall Brink weighs in with his own theories about the mysterious fate of famed aviator Amelia Earhart, who flew into history on the morning of July 2, 1937. I found this to be a very interesting book, coupled with Mr. Brink's unearthing of supposed government documents provide some tantilizing clues as to what involvement Washington and the White House may have had in Earhart's global flight. There were some flaws, however. One photograph in the book depicts an aerial shot of what Mr. Brink claims was a Japanese airfield in the Marshall Islands. A magnified section of the photo shows a twin-engine airplane with what appears to be a missing wing. Mr. Brink postulates that this airplane could in fact be the Lockheed Electra, since (he contends) Japan did not manufacture twin-engined, twin-tailed monoplanes during World War II--a statement which is not accurate. Japan did in fact produce several planes of that type (typically bombers), and given Mr. Brink's avaiation background, I was surprised he didn't research that more thoroughly. No new revelations here, but food for thought as to what may have happened to one of America's aviation pioneers.

A good book for all ages........
It was interesting, yet provoking and informative, a good bedside and a good reseach book. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Great Nonfiction KickOff for Beginning Readers
I am so impressed with this series.I hope my kids begin a lifelong love of nonfiction with stories like Amelia Earhart.Crisply written, with just the right amount of detail and TERRIFIC photos which capture the imagination.It's hard to fight the Junie B. Jones craze, and those books are cute, too, but I want my 1st grader to admire Amelia, too!She thinks Amelia "rocks". Highly recommend for 4-7 years.

Great Nonfiction KickOff for Beginning Readers
I am so impressed with this series.I hope my kids begin a lifelong love of nonfiction with stories like Amelia Earhart.Crisply written, with just the right amount of detail and TERRIFIC photos which capture the imagination.It's hard to fight the Junie B. Jones craze, and those books are cute, too, but I want my 1st grader to admire Amelia, too!She thinks Amelia "rocks". Highly recommend for 4-7 years. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

research over style
East to the Dawn is very well-researched, going to many primary sources for information, but not very well-written. There are many cases in which I was aggravated by Butler's choice of words or annoying editorializing.

However, any book about Amelia Earhart which features so many of her own words cannot possibly fail. Her letters, remarks, interviews burst out of the text full of personality, wit, and intelligence. It is no less than shocking how completely contemporary seems, and how inspiring she could be. We can only hope that in the future there are other perfect marriages of a remarkable person and remarkable circumstance, for Amelia Earhart and the early days of aviation were made for each other. Though somewhat clumsily, this book gets this across and for that it is very much worth reading.

Enjoyed This Book!
This was a very interesting and informative book.
I feel like it really let me know Amelia.
Only thing I did not like about it was that the begining was
a little slow. A little too much time spent on her ancestors.

A new veiw of Amelia
I grew up hearing bits and pieces about Amelia Earhart. There was always the slight inference that she may have been a lesbian and the stories about her possible capture by the Japanese. I found EAST TO THE DAWN illuminating and informative. The author makes Amelia much more of a feminist and political person than I had ever imagined. For example, I did not know about her friendship with Eleanor Roosevelt. But Amelia's friendship with Nancy Cook and Lorena Hitchock and involvment in the Val Kil project made me think that there may have been some validity to the rumors about her life style. It's also interesting how much the government did for her on her flights. The possible capture by the Japanese seems to me looking back in retrospect that it could be a form of very suttle anti Japanese propaganda. One of the previous reviewers commented that EAST TO THE DAWN finds no fault with Amelia - she was perfect in every way. Thinking about the book in retrospect, there is a lot of validity to that statement. But all in all the book gives a good view of women and their roles in society in the 1920's and 30's. It also give a whole new side of Amelia. As a result of this book I want to read more about Amelia. The author's conclusion that Amelia became bigger in death than she may have been in life is also valid but Amelia is one of those American icons that will live on and on because she died so young and under strange circumstances.

Makes a familiar icon new and fascinating again.
Susan Butler has combined faultless research with first-rate writing to bring Amelia Earhart into sharp focus. The book reads as though she knew Earhart, liked her, and understood what made her soar. One of the best biographies I have read in a long time.

informative and absorbing
EAST TO THE DAWN not only gives the reader an incredibly detailed account of Amelia Earhart's life, but its presentation allows one to have a clear sense of the period, places and people of her life. From childhood in Kansas at the turn of the century, through an exciting adulthood which took her all over the world, you will feel that you are almost there. It is both informative and absorbing. ... Read more

Book Description

"Women must try to do things as men have tried. "

When she was eight years old, Amelia Earhart built a roller coaster and "flew" through the air.She loved to watch daredevil pilots fly loops in the sky.Amelia decided to pilot a plane herself, and became one of the first women to learn to fly.She broke flight records and in 1932 was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic Ocean alone.The whole world admired her courage and daring.Amelia Earhart disappeared while trying to set a new record flying all the way around the world at the equator, but her pioneer spirit inspired many others to follow in her path. ... Read more

Reviews (5)

Interesting book -BUT...
...Interesting book, worth to read by anyone who is seriously interested in Amelia Earhart's fate, but alas too much incorrect in many details, both technical and historical, so probably cannot be recommended for "unprepared" reader. Some claims are controversial, some picture captions are doubtful or just wrong, some statements in text are factually guesses without factual support etc. Especially sad is this repeating of old bizarre rumor about some alleged connection as if existed between Amelia Earhart and Japanese wartime broadcaster "Tokyo Rose" - pure myth that was debunked on a strict factual base since long ago. The book certainly includes some interesting material, but the biggest problem is to separate it from guesses and allegations of different kinds.

A Daredevil or War Hero? New Evidence of Latter Role for AE
It is said to have taken Randall Brink a decade to research the information he presents in his 183 pages of text. "Lost Star" is a magnificant example of dogged, never-say-die investigative reporting.

To get at many of the government files, written in the pre-computer era,the author had to describe what he wanted exactly; get a date or memo titlewrong, and the government wouldn't even acknowledge its existance. Muchless give him the item.

Brink should be commended for tracking downelderly ex-Lockheed employees before their deaths: they confirm that theplane AE took off in for her final world trip, was not the same aircraftshe'd purchased.

The author and his sources give compelling evidencethat instead of a silly publicity stunt, this world tour was actually a spytrip -- an allegation that neither the U.S. nor Japanese governments willacknowledge. What happened to Earhart -- was she one of the Tokyo Rosebroadcasters? did she return to the U.S. after the war under a newidentity? -- still remains a mystery, but Brink breaks through much of themyth.

I only wish that he could have completely solved the case so thatif her spy mission role was confirmed, AE and Fred Noonan could be accordedthe honors that are normally given towar heroes. After all, they wouldhave been our first casualties for WWII -- even in 1937, FDR'sadministration knew it was coming, and apparently had them map unchartedAfrican territory as well as check on Japanese military movement.

Thisbook isa triumph and must reading for any Earhart fan, flying enthusiast,history buff or feminist who admires the spirit of this fearless femaleflyer.

Errors in Lost Star
On page 108 the author cites two conflicting top airspeeds for Earhart's airplane - 240 and 220 mph. On page 174 the author say storage and mondifications of Earhart's airplane took place at Alameda Naval AirStation, but in 1937 Alameda Naval Air Station did not exist. It was openedin late 1940.

Excellent follow-on to Joe Klass' AE book
This is the most recent in the line of books presenting the mystery of the disappearance of Amelia Earhart.It is very readable and presents substantial new information that points toward the conclusion that AE didnot perish during her flight around the world attempt in 1937.The fijnalchapter in this episode remains to be written, but this represents anexcellent review of the information at this time.

Great follow-on to Joe Klaas' book about AE
Absolutely fantastic follow-on to the 1970 book on the same subject written by Joe Klaas.If you like conspiracies, this is a good one.Much material recently made available thru "Freedom of Information" and elswhere.Very readable, and even accurate relating to technicaldetails.We are probably destined to never learnthe final disposition ofAE, but this book goes a long way toward answering questions relating tothis.A 'must read' if your interest lies in this direction. ... Read more

Book Description

Did Amelia Earhart die when her 1937 Worldflight ended? Major Joe Gervais' spy-hunt, told by L/C Joe Klaas, pierces history's tightest secret. A plane crash in California bearing her number, a secret code, a living lady who might be the long-dead flyer, and startling "coincidences" ask: Did she die in 1937, or secretly return after World War II? ... Read more

Reviews (4)

I believe
I could not put down this book, and yes I believe! The main investigator is Joe Gervais, who I believe is very credible considering he was a command pilot in the Air Force and also an aircraft accident investigator. According to Mr. Gervais, when he visited Ameilia's sister, Muriel Morrissey, she told him to not open his breifcase and refused to see any material from his investigation. It is interesting that so many road blocks were put up for Mr. Gervais, and there are those that went to great lengths to find out what he was uncovering while at the same time not wanting him to find out anything. I believe Irene Bolam is/was Amelia Earhart.

For those interested, there is a new book out this month continuing this investigation by Rollin C. Reineck. It is published by the Paragon Agency. I could not find it here at Amazon to my surprise. I had to order it direct from Paragon. Mr. Reineck's book follows up what transpired after Gervais and Klass book came out, and what happened to Irene Bolam. An article was in the LA Times a few weeks ago about the new book.

A Fraud for Financial Gain
As a young high schooler, I read the original publication and visited A.E.'s sister and asked her about the book. Mrs. Morrissey said that she had both spoken with the supposed A.E. and determined that she was not her sister. Mrs. Morrissey then said that the author had produced faked photos of the plane and that he was only out to make a buck. Shame on the new author and publishers!

Fantastic Investigation - Should Be a Movie
This is a great book from an apparently knowledgeable author. The story is gripping and reads like a novel. A must read for anyone interested in a true mystery and its possible resolution.

A.E. was alive when book written
The first few pages of book mention Bob Dinnger, Well, Bob and I had lunch with each other,in Santa Rosa, Calif, every week at Rotary. I would ask Bob about all aspects of the book. I believe this book is real, very interesting and a good read. ... Read more