Tuesday, January 17, 2017

Crossing the Horiozon

Crossing the Horizon / Laurie Notaro, 455 pgs.

This is a novelization of real events that happened soon after Lindbergh's famous flight in 1927, the race was on to break other flying records.  This book recounts the efforts of three women, Elsie Mackay, Ruth Elder and Mabel Boll, all who wanted to be the first woman to fly across the Atlantic.  Mackay was an accomplished pilot, actress and businesswoman.  She financed her efforts with her own money.  Ruth Elder, also a pilot, made it part-way although her plane ditched in the ocean. She was rescued at sea and became "Miss America of Aviation."  Mabel Boll was a spitfire who wanted to go as a passenger only and drove away several teams with her intense demands and crazy behavior. It is interesting to read about the intense competition that was going on with these women and many others who were competing for prize money, glory and fame.  Although this book was a slow starter for me, it was great to read about these adventurous women.

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