Giblin has written a balanced account of this hero's life, covering his strengths and weaknesses as a man and our century's first colossal public celebrity. Giblin uses lively prose to keep his readers spellbound with his account of Lindbergh's thirty-three hour flight. With a sober air, Giblin explores Lindbergh's naivete in defending Nazi Germany: he also sorts through the responsibility of the press for the changes in Lindbergh's personality and attitude from shy aviator to arrogant speaker.

Giblin relies on Lindbergh's own account of the famous flight and his other writings that comment on social history. The author also uses Anne Lindbergh's books to document the aviator's travels and provide anecdotes about his life. Archival photographs supplement the text, and source notes are presented chapter-bychapter at the end of the book. A detailed chronology of important events adds strength to Giblin's readable account of Lindbergh's life...