Into Unknown Skies

An Unlikely Team, a Daring Race, and the First Flight Around the World

By: David K. Randall

Narrated by: Adam Verner

“David K. Randall has conjured the first air race to circumnavigate the globe in all its death-defying glory, featuring a cast of unlikely heroes who had the right stuff before anyone knew what that was.” — Mitchell Zuckoff, New York Times bestselling author of Lost in Shangri-La and 13 Hours

“Thrilling reading...an account filled with unexpected layers of intrigue. Recommend Into Unknown Skies to Erik Larson fans.” —Booklist

The unbelievable history of the 1924 race to circumnavigate the globe for the first time by air, a nail-biting contest that pitted underdog US pilots against their better-funded European rivals, created technology that changed aviation, and convinced America that its future was in the sky.

In the early 1920s, America’s faith in aviation was in shambles. Twenty years after the Wright Brothers’ first flight, most Americans believed airplanes were for delivering the mail or performing daredevil stunts in front of crowds. The dream of commercial air travel remained just that. Even the American military was a skeptic—rather than pay to bring its planes back from Europe following World War I, the War Department chose to burn most of them instead.

All that changed with a single race in 1924. It was not just any race, though—it was a race to become the first to circle the globe in an airplane, pitting a team of underdog American pilots against the best aviators in the world from England, Italy, Portugal, France, and Argentina. Rooted in the same daring spirit that pushed early twentieth-century explorers to attempt crossings of the Antarctic ice or locate the source of the Nile, this race was an adventure unlike anything the world had seen before. The obstacles were daunting—from experimental planes, to dangerous landings in uncharted territory, to the simple navigational gauges that could lead pilots hundreds of miles off course. Failure seemed all but guaranteed—the suspense less about who would win than how many would perish for the honor of being the first.

Now on the race’s centennial, award-winning author David K. Randall tells the story of this riveting, long-forgotten race. Through larger-than-life characters, treacherous landings, disease, and ultimately triumph, Into Unknown Skies demonstrates how one race returned America to aviation greatness. A story of underdog teammates, bold exploration, and American ingenuity, Into Unknown Skies is an untold adventure tale showing the power of flight to bring the world together.

Supplemental enhancement PDF accompanies the audiobook.

Great with a caveat….

I loved the story of this wonderful historical account of an aeronautical feat worthy of remembrance. Details are numerous to bring the story to life and overall storyline excellent. This is a critical juncture in American history with many lessons for today as we continue advancing technology - and a warning to not rest while drone and cyber warfare advance rapidly. Often times, military and political leadership are not up to the task as exemplified by Billy Mitchell’s rocky relationship with upper brass. It’s showcased rather well in this book. All in all, this is a need to listen!

The bad? The author inserts in various locations his attempt at showcasing American xenophobic activities of the era, which did in fact exist, but apply it to the whole of American society, rather than create understanding of problem by a certain segment of society. In fact, no mention of Japanese society and their superior complex over Asian culture nor Indian ‘caste’ society as being in conflict with American weakness while the fliers were bounding across those nations.”. Thus, we have another example of ill-place self-superiority complex by liberal-minded authors.

Brave or crazy?

The authors depiction of this accomplishment is as vivid as a movie. I appreciated the description of the plane construction with one of the famous founders of the aircraft industry. My favorite scene was the traveling with a malfunctioning airplane for 78 miles or landing in the rutted desert. The aircraft engine was spitting bits of metal that were cutting the pilot and cutting up the plane. He was porpoising the plane up and down to give the engine time to cool off before engaging the engine power again.

A nearly unbelievable story!

My husband and I could hardly get out of our car while we were listening to this story. Why hasn’t this been made into a movie!

Ok.

Read like an NPR Correspondent - ANNOYING! Just read the script, don’t try to enhance everything.