Race through the Skies : The Week the World Learned to Fly

From National Book Award winner Martin W. Sandler, a fascinating look at the week that brought aviation fever to the world

In 1903, the Wright brothers made three brief flights, and no one was there to watch them. Six years later, Wilbur Wright traveled to Europe to evangelicize about aviation and raise money for patents--and the world got aviation fever. That summer, a group of champagne companies organized the first ever international air meet in Rheims, France. They knew they could throw a great party and sell a lot of champagne. They didn't know that this single week would change the course of aviation history. Through remarkable photographs, firsthand accounts, and lively narrative, Marty Sandler tells the story of how the Grande Semaine d'Aviation de la Champagne marked the public introduction to flight.

“The races are presented in thrilling detail and clearly placed in the context of the history of early aviation….Fascinating, eminently entertaining.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Sandler's prose is vigorous, impassioned, and carefully contextualized. . . . A fascinating story, augmented by numerous attractive archival images. An entertaining and instructive look at a tumultuous year.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Well researched and presented in an attractive manner, Sandler's text delivers a solid look at a pivotal year.” —School Library Journal

“Sandler's narrative skill and eye for detail, and the abundant archival photos throughout, make for an engrossing resource.” —Publishers Weekly

“As welcome as some of 1919's beginnings might have been…many of the archival photos in “1919” capture a sense of turmoil…Sandler, a prolific historian for young readers, includes timelines that run through the present day in an effort to put the events of 1919 in historical context.” —Wall Street Journal

“Sandler emphasizes the impact of this monumental week on the future of aviation…[a] fascinating history.” —Booklist

“Impressive and highly readable look at an important inflection point in history.” —Horn Book Magazine