A trip through the history of flight, with Weiss (Maps: Getting from Here to There, 1991, etc.) at the helm. For all those who have ever dreamed of flying like a bird: Meet all the other dreamers, scientists, tower-jumpers, and balloon-launchers who tried to escape the bonds of gravity on the wings of their imaginations. A deft use of a second color, slate blue, gives the layout--peppered with black-and-white diagrams, amusing illustrations, and historical photographs of early flying machines- -an animated, accessible look. The text takes readers from the wax and feather wings of Icarus to the gliders of Sir George Cayley and the famous airplanes of the Wright Brothers. The scientific principles of aerodynamics are explained and interwoven into engaging stories about the pioneers of flight. Aspiring and inspired pilots can construct their own simple planes from easy-to- follow instructions Weiss has included. Entertaining and informative. (Nonfiction. 10-14)
