The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh

Charles Lindbergh had an enviable childhood, with a doting mother and grandparents, and a father who wasn’t often present yet gave Charles incredible freedom to explore and try new things. Formal education seemed an afterthought with these people. He was a bright and inventive young man, and aviation was his passion. But the celebrity that came with his famous flight was a horror for him. His naivety and lack of historical perspective made him an easy recruit for the eugenics movement, of which he became a devotee. This dark side is not often revealed, but author Candace Fleming does not shy away from telling the whole story of Lindbergh’s life, warts and all. And there are warts aplenty that will surprise and fascinate readers. Fleming is a terrific writer, and her impeccable research shines throughout the book. While this is being marketed as a young adult book, it will be equally fascinating for adult readers and accessible enough for sophisticated middle-grade readers. Over twenty pages of photographs and drawings are a great addition, especially for younger readers who probably know little about this hero of the early twentieth century. As biographies go, this is among the very best.