Lindbergh

By: A. Scott Berg

Narrated by: Lloyd James

Length: 31 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

Pulitzer Prize, Biography/Autobiography, 1999

Few American icons provoke more enduring fascination than Charles Lindbergh - renowned for his one-man transatlantic flight in 1927, remembered for the sorrow surrounding the kidnapping and death of his firstborn son in 1932, and reviled by many for his opposition to America's entry into World War II.

Lindbergh's is "a dramatic and disturbing American story," says the Los Angeles Times Book Review, and this biography - the first to be written with unrestricted access to the Lindbergh archives and extensive interviews of his friends, colleagues, and close family members - is "the definitive account."

©1999 A. Scott Berg (P)2013 Simon & Schuster Audio

Amazing biography of an amazing man

It is a very long book but worth every minute of learning about a man of whom most of us only knew that he was the first to fly solo across the ocean. He was so much more.

Lindbergh Bio

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Recommened if you are interested in the life of Lindy, early aviation or history of the mid-20th century. Very detailed account of Lindbergh's life. I felt it was very well written and read in this audio book.

Extraordinary Life - A biography worthy of its subject

Having read the first edition I was curious how the audible version would measure up - and it delivers. The superb writing and narration make for a most engaging experience. Tremendous!

It is the Definitive Lindbergh Biography

This is, as others have said, the definitive Lindbergh biography. It tells the whole story of Lindbergh's family since immigrating to the U.S., and covers Lindbergh's somewhat odd childhood, as the only child of a somewhat out-of-touch lawyer and Congressman from Minnesota. Lindbergh's father was adamantly against the country getting into World War I, and Lindbergh would later advocate similar views for the "America First" movement before World War II.

The book covers Charles' fascination with flight and how he became an aviator. Relatively little time is devoted to his flight across the Atlantic itself, but the book covers the world-wide adulation he received in great detail. Berg makes a great case that, for a period of time, Lindbergh was the best known and probably most popular person in the world. This was not an easy adjustment for someone who valued privacy and was very suspicious of the press. Charles popularity waned as the country entered World War II due to his political views, and was then somewhat restored in later years.

The book is almost as much about Anne Morrow Lindbergh as Charles. Their courtship, marriage and world-wide travels are all chronicled. The book spends a great deal of time on the kidnapping and murder of Charles, Jr., which was of course devastating to Charles and Anne.

As portrayed in the book, Charles was not a great family man. He was devoted to Anne and their children to a point, but spent most of his time traveling. He treated his family oddly, a trait that persisted throughout his life. Read the book and draw your own conclusions.

Although Charles had his flaws, he did great things. He was a great record setting aviator. He explored the world. He invented a precursor of the heart lung machine. His work during World War II as a "consultant" helped greatly increase the range of U.S. planes while he also flew combat in the Pacific as a civilian and without a commission.

Note that this book was written in 1998. It stands as the definitive biography, but was published before the revelations regarding Charles other relationships and children in Germany. The story that is told of Charles' later years does seem to fit--with his constant absences from home--with what has since been learned.

It's a long book, but worth your time.

Stunning

Great biography. Great narration. Took me a awhile to read/listen, but worth it! Lindbergh was a fascinating man!

Needs updating

Where does Lindbergh rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

Among the top.

What does Lloyd James bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Yes, very much.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

No

Any additional comments?

Book dated. Since writing news has surfaced about Lingergs many affairs and extramarital children, proven by DNA analysis. Three mistresses were from Gremany in 1950-1960 with four known children. He did support and regularly see some of them. This requires a reevaluation of Linbergs character and NAZI German sympathies. It is claimed he fathered many children with primitive people, believing in eugenics and his own superior genome.

Enthralling

I read this on the recommendation of a friend in her late 80's. Of course I knew of Charles Lindbergh, but mostly from stories that came from my parents and relate to the tragic kidnapping. Lindbergh was not of my era. However, I found the book enthralling. Extremely well researched, written and edited. I learned a great deal about the development of commercial air traffick and it was surprisingly fascinating. Interestingly, I think Anne Lindbergh came away the most interesting person in the book. If I would have had the opportunity to lunch with Eleanor Roosevelt, I think I would have enjoyed including a mature Anne Lindbergh at the table.

A Must Read (listen)

Narration perfect for the subject.
Nothing more to say except this is an important and must read.

1.5 times

Be prepared to speed up the reading of this book. The narrator reads incredibly slow, I had the speed up to 1.5 and I could have easily gone higher. Very enjoyable book and Mr Lindbergh was more than just his 1927 flight! However if you are looking for the secret life this will not cover it.

Incredible detail and insight

Berg’s exhaustive research is evident at every turn of the history he records!
James’ narrative is smooth and very easy to listen to for hours at a time.
As a life long aviator, I found myself informed of many details I did not know of.
The detail of Lindbergh’s personality is the most important part of the book!!
HIGHLY recommended 😀

Amazing book

The most compelling book Ive come across,simply brilliantly written, and I believe the most factually correct.

a pretty much perfect audio biography

A pretty much h perfect biography. Amazing source material, of course, and well researched. I'd go so far as to say definitive.

I always love Scott Berg's Bios'.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes--but it's a long but outstanding read.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Lindbergh?

Of course, the actual flight over the Atlantic, and the dignity in which he was the major player in his sad final moments.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

The frolics on the islands in his golden years--I never would have believed it of such a straight laced guy.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

You guessed it: LUCKY LINDY. He and his courageous wife took so many life threatening chances flying those planes all over the world--I'm so glad they never crashed.

Any additional comments?

The kidnapping was so unfair of FATE. If people think rich people have it so good, they must read Scott Berg's biography.

HIs wife was an absolutely wonderful woman. I don't think liberated women have given her as much attention as Zelda.

Quite simply, magnificent.

Hugely influential, complex and brilliant Charles Lindbergh was a pioneer in the truest sense of the word, known mainly for his 1927 transatlantic flight but there is so much more. Triumph and tragedy led to unwanted fame and an uneasy relationship with the press and public. Misquoted and misunderstood his reluctance and stubbornness to engage with his detractors made him a villian in the eyes of some. His ground-breaking war work went largely unnoticed, his patriotism should never have been questioned but the public's unease with their false perceptions of his motives lingered for years. Often more comfortable when moving across the globe whilst embarking on a number of studies, missions and projects he was active late into his life. Complemented by his brilliant in her own right wife Ann, his story and that of his wife make this biography an astonishing tour de force. Should be considered the definitive account of his life and times. 5 stars, no question.