First Flight Around the World: The Adventures of the American Fliers Who Won the Race - ADVISABLE

Grove, Tim First Flight Around the World: The Adventures of the American Fliers Who Won the Race, 88 pgs. NON-FICTION Abrams, 2015. $21.95. Language: G ( 0 swears); Mature Content: G; Violence: G.   

In April of 1924, 4 small airplanes left Seattle, Washington beginning the race to make Americans the first to accomplish an around the world flight. Competing against Great Britain, France, Portugal, Argentina, and Italy, this is the story of the 4 pilots and 4 mechanics from the Army Air Corps and their journey of diplomacy, sightseeing, danger and cultural exploration. It was a test of their skill and courage, and not an easy trip, which included crashes, engine failures, dysentery, terrible wind and weather and the loss of more than 1 plane. 

Quoting from one of the mechanic’s journals, this account includes pictures from the historic journey, maps, examples of artifacts, a glossary, itinerary, bibliography and index.  This is another publication from the Smithsonian.  I have really appreciated these non-fiction stories of the items in the national collection.  Can’t wait to go back to DC and see the plane on display at the Air and Space Museum.  That’s what non-fiction is all about.  

EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE  Lisa Librarian