First World Flight

By: Spencer Lane

Narrated by: Dave Wright

Length: 17 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

In 1924, three years before Lindbergh flew to Paris, four young army airmen answered the call of General Billy Mitchell to save US aviation from destruction by the politicians by winning the race with a dozen other nations to make the first flight around the world. In primitive open-cockpit biplanes powered by unreliable engines and few airfields, they were given little chance of success or even survival. This is the untold epic story of American patriotism, valor, and can-do ingenuity which triumphed over adversity and led to aviation dominance for the balance of the century - and the forgotten heroes that made it happen. Over 15 years of research, including the first access ever to the private Donald Douglas collection of Aviation memorabilia including worldwide newspaper accounts, diaries and logs of the aviators, have gone into the writing of this remarkable story.

©2002, 2011 Spencer Lane (P)2017 Spencer Lane

Important View of an Aviation Hero

This book chronicles important events that affected the larger story of history in the 20th century. Billy Mitchell like John Boyd (Read BOYD), both pilots chose to do something rather than be someone.

I true story, but over embellished

The story is good, but the author over embellishes the story with wrong or misleading info.
Examples:
He makes reference to T. Roosevelt being imperialistic in 1898, he wasn't president until 1901.
He states that, Billy Mitchell while flying recon of San Miguel he flew over Douglas MacArthur and Geo. Patton and saluted them, figuratively maybe, literally not. Patton was wounded and Mac was way to busy to care.
He states the Mitchell met with Adm. Yamamoto in 1924. Yamamoto was not an Adm in 1924.
He states the Japanese were in China in 1924, they didn't invade until 1931.

The store is a good one, but one wonders what else he got wrong. He should have run this past some historians.

More than Wright Brothers to the story of aviation

I was given a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest and objective review.

First World Flight is a historical audiobook focusing on the growth of US aviation beginning in 1924, the four airmen and General Billy Mitchell all who were responsible for saving the US aviation program through their patriotism, creativity, and dedication. Not being a historian or familiar with the history of aviation, I found it interesting and exciting.

I found the book to be interesting, although it was long. This is perfect for someone with a passion for aviation, military, politics or history. The personal touches – the information about the families that is not well known was interesting as well. Before the end of the book, I felt I almost knew Billy Mitchell. His passion was successfully portrayed and communicated through Spencer Lane’s writing.

I thought the narrator, Dave Wright, performed the book beautifully. His voice was smooth, gentle yet passionate. I could listen to Wright for hours!

The amount of time and energy spent in the research of this book and its many components must have been overwhelming but so worth it!

There were no issues with quality or audio production of this book by U.S. Press.

World Flight Voyager

As the pilot who flu the 1986 Voyager non-stop-non refueled I found the book to be an excellent piece of literary documented prose.
I had the honor in 1987 as my Voyager was being enshrined in the NASM to visit with Gen Lee Wade beside his world World Cruiser
Dick Rutan

Aviation Passion - Interesting and Well Done

A historical audiobook focusing on the growth of the US aviation First World Flight is a begins in 1924. There are four airmen and General Billy Mitchell all who were responsible for creating and saving the US aviation program through their patriotism, creativity, and dedication. The struggles of Billy Mitchell and his airmen is captivating.

I found the book to be interesting, although it was long. This is perfect for someone with a passion for aviation, military, politics or history. The personal touches – the information about the families that are not well-known was interesting as well. By the end of the audio, I felt I almost knew Billy Mitchell. His passion was successfully portrayed and communicated through Spencer Lane’s writing.

I thought the narrator, Dave Wright, performed the book beautifully. His voice was smooth, gentle yet passionate. I could listen to Wright for hours; there is something comforting about his voice.

The amount of time and energy spent in the research of this book and its many components must have been overwhelming but so worth it!

There were no issues with quality or audio production of this audiobook.

Audiobook was provided for review by the author/narrator/publisher.

Please find this complete review and many others at my review blog.

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