First Flight Around the World

First Flight Around the World chronicles the U.S. Army Air Service's 1924 attempt to complete the first circumnavigation of the globe by air. The book follows four crews in their Douglas World Cruiser aircraft as they undertake this unprecedented aviation challenge. Tim Grove reconstructs the journey through photographs, maps, crew diaries and historical records. The text includes technical details about the modified aircraft, navigation methods, and the logistics required for this months-long expedition. The narrative tracks the aviators' progress across multiple continents, documenting both their triumphs and setbacks as they navigate treacherous weather and mechanical difficulties. The book incorporates period images, documents, and illustrations that provide context for this historic endeavor. This account of early aviation achievement examines themes of human perseverance, technological innovation, and international cooperation in the advancement of flight. The story captures a pivotal moment when aviation began transforming from a daring experiment into a practical means of global connection.

Readers appreciate the detailed research and archival photographs that bring the 1924 U.S. Army Air Service journey to life. Multiple reviewers note the book engages middle-grade students while remaining historically accurate. Liked: - Clear maps and diagrams that show the flight path - Inclusion of crew members' personal stories and quotes - Technical details about the aircraft and flight challenges - Historic photos and primary source documents - Accessible writing style for ages 10-14 Disliked: - Some found the pacing slow in certain sections - A few readers wanted more details about the competition with other countries - Text can be dense for younger readers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (127 ratings) Amazon: 4.6/5 (31 ratings) School Library Journal: Starred Review Kirkus Reviews: Starred Review Notable review: "The author strikes a perfect balance between technical details and human interest stories." - School Library Connection

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🌍 The book tells the tale of a 1924 U.S. Army Air Service mission that covered 27,553 miles in 175 days, making history as the first successful circumnavigation of the globe by air. ✈️ Of the four Douglas World Cruiser aircraft that began the journey - named Seattle, Chicago, Boston, and New Orleans - only two completed the entire flight. 📚 Author Tim Grove worked as Chief of Museum Learning at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, where one of the original Douglas World Cruisers is displayed. 🗺️ The aviators had to rely on primitive navigation tools like sextants and compasses, as there were no modern navigation systems, radio communication, or weather forecasting available. 🏆 The successful completion of this flight helped establish the United States as a leading aviation power and demonstrated the potential of aircraft for long-distance travel, years before Charles Lindbergh's famous transatlantic flight.