20 Hrs. 40 Min.

20 Hrs. 40 Min. chronicles Amelia Earhart's historic 1928 transatlantic flight aboard the Friendship, which made her the first woman to cross the Atlantic by air. The book combines real-time flight log entries with Earhart's personal narrative about the journey. The text includes Earhart's reflections on her path to aviation, starting with her childhood experiences and early flying career. She details the preparations, challenges, and technical aspects of the Friendship flight from Boston to Wales. Her observations on women in aviation form a key section of the book, with particular focus on flying's potential to foster international understanding and peace. The work stands as one of only two books Earhart completed during her lifetime. This firsthand account serves as both a technical flight record and a window into the early days of aviation, while highlighting themes of gender equality and global connection through air travel.

This book has few reviews online, making it difficult to gauge broad reader sentiment. The available reviews note Earhart's straightforward writing style and first-hand account of her transatlantic flight. Readers appreciated: - Historical details about early aviation - Personal insights into Earhart's thoughts during the journey - Technical explanations made accessible to non-pilots - Inclusion of original photographs Common criticisms: - Writing can be dry and technical at times - Some sections focus heavily on minor details - Limited narrative flow Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (138 ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (31 ratings) One reader on Goodreads noted: "More of a technical account than an adventure story, but fascinating for aviation history buffs." An Amazon reviewer wrote: "The book reads like a pilot's logbook - precise but not particularly engaging for general audiences." The book has remained in print since 1928 but lacks extensive recent reader reviews online.

West with the Night by Beryl Markham Markham's memoir records her experiences as the first person to fly solo across the Atlantic from east to west, combining precise aviation details with accounts of her life as a pilot in colonial Africa.

Listen! The Wind by Anne Morrow Lindbergh The text documents Lindbergh's pioneering flights with her husband Charles, focusing on their 1933 Atlantic survey missions and the technical challenges of early air navigation.

High, Wide and Frightened by Louise McPhetridge Thaden Thaden's account details her flying career in the 1920s and 30s, including victories in major air races and her experiences as a test pilot during aviation's formative years.

Wind, Sand and Stars by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry Saint-Exupéry's chronicle of his time as a mail pilot in the 1920s and 30s captures the technical and physical demands of early aviation through detailed flight logs and experiences.

Pioneer Pilot by Dorothy Layne McIntyre McIntyre's text documents her journey as one of the first African American female pilots, including her training and work with the Civil Air Patrol during the 1940s.

✈️ Earhart's 20 Hr. 40 Min. flight made her the first female passenger to cross the Atlantic by air, three years before her solo flight 🌟 The book was published in 1928, the same year as the historic flight, offering readers an immediate, fresh perspective on the achievement 📝 Despite being a passenger rather than the pilot, Earhart kept detailed technical logs throughout the journey, which formed the backbone of the book's narrative 👥 The flight crew consisted of pilot Wilmer Stultz, mechanic Louis Gordon, and Earhart - though it was Earhart who gained the most public attention 📚 The book's title refers to the exact duration of the flight from Trepassey Harbor, Newfoundland to Burry Port, Wales, demonstrating the precision that would later characterize Earhart's own piloting career