To Caress the Air
To Caress the Air
To Caress the Air
To Caress the Air
To Caress the Air
To Caress the Air
Trending Bestseller

To Caress the Air

Augustus Herring and the Dawn of Flight. Book One

C. David Gierke

No reviews yet Write a Review
Paperback / softback
01 June 2018
$62.00
In Stock: Ships in 7-9 Days
Hurry up! Current stock:
icon Share icon Share
Description  

Most people accept the view that the Wright brothers invented the airplane. “Not so!” according to American aviation pioneer Augustus Moore Herring. “The aeroplane has a good many daddies.” Herring should know; he was there.

To Caress the Air is a biographical novel based on Herring’s 22-year career in aeronautics. The story takes place in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and chronicles Herring’s aeronautical achievements, his ordeals, and his triumph over severe adversity. Seldom acknowledged by historians or authors, Herring was nevertheless portrayed by his cutthroat contemporaries as an “aeronautical hyena” – a surly character who prowled the boundaries of the flying-machine community.

            Influenced by the Gilded Age idea that a young man could attain a life of accomplishment and honor through hard work, determination, and courage, Herring soon learned that Horatio Alger’s “rags to riches” narrative paled in the face of unrelenting rejection. Alger had also suggested that an older, kindly, and prosperous benefactor might be useful in assisting a young man’s success. In 1893, at the age of 26, Herring met that person: someone who eventually proved to be his greatest antagonist.

            To Caress the Air makes use of recently unearthed historical documents and never-before-seen information provided by Herring’s heirs. The book’s setting is the New York State Supreme Court, Monroe County Courthouse, in Rochester.  Herring’s story is told through his testimony during the 1921 civil trial, Herring-Curtiss Company v. Glenn H. Curtiss, et al., which provides the platform for flashback scenes that document his dealings with many of the era’s aeronautical giants, including Lilienthal, Chanute, Langley, and Curtiss. The novel is rich with accurate technical and biographical details and is accompanied by pertinent footnotes.

Customer reviews  

This product hasn't received any reviews yet. Be the first to review this product!

Write a Reviews
Flat Rate Shipping  
Easy Returns  
$62.00
In Stock: Ships in 7-9 Days
Hurry up! Current stock:
icon Share icon Share
Flat Rate Shipping  
Easy Returns  

To Caress the Air

$62.00

Description

Most people accept the view that the Wright brothers invented the airplane. “Not so!” according to American aviation pioneer Augustus Moore Herring. “The aeroplane has a good many daddies.” Herring should know; he was there.

To Caress the Air is a biographical novel based on Herring’s 22-year career in aeronautics. The story takes place in the United States during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and chronicles Herring’s aeronautical achievements, his ordeals, and his triumph over severe adversity. Seldom acknowledged by historians or authors, Herring was nevertheless portrayed by his cutthroat contemporaries as an “aeronautical hyena” – a surly character who prowled the boundaries of the flying-machine community.

            Influenced by the Gilded Age idea that a young man could attain a life of accomplishment and honor through hard work, determination, and courage, Herring soon learned that Horatio Alger’s “rags to riches” narrative paled in the face of unrelenting rejection. Alger had also suggested that an older, kindly, and prosperous benefactor might be useful in assisting a young man’s success. In 1893, at the age of 26, Herring met that person: someone who eventually proved to be his greatest antagonist.

            To Caress the Air makes use of recently unearthed historical documents and never-before-seen information provided by Herring’s heirs. The book’s setting is the New York State Supreme Court, Monroe County Courthouse, in Rochester.  Herring’s story is told through his testimony during the 1921 civil trial, Herring-Curtiss Company v. Glenn H. Curtiss, et al., which provides the platform for flashback scenes that document his dealings with many of the era’s aeronautical giants, including Lilienthal, Chanute, Langley, and Curtiss. The novel is rich with accurate technical and biographical details and is accompanied by pertinent footnotes.

Customers Also Viewed

Discover Books for Every Interest at BookLoop

Discover your next great read at BookLoop, Australia's trusted online bookstore offering a vast selection of titles across various genres and interests. Whether you're curious about what's trending or searching for graphic novels that captivate, thrilling crime and mystery fiction, or exhilarating action and adventure stories, our curated collections have something for every reader. Delve into imaginative fantasy worlds or explore the realms of science fiction that challenge the boundaries of reality.

Books on Hobbies, Crafts, Gardening, and More

For those with a green thumb, our comprehensive range of gardening books provides insights and tips for all levels of enthusiasts. If you're aiming to enhance your financial acumen, our selection of finance, business, and management books offers valuable knowledge from industry experts. Craft lovers will appreciate our assortment of handicrafts, decorative arts, and crafts books, perfect for inspiring your next project. Engage your mind with our collection of hobbies, quizzes, and games books, or explore the mystical with our fortune-telling and divination guides.

Transport, Contemporary Fiction, and Picture Books for Kids

Transportation aficionados can immerse themselves in our extensive transportation books, including detailed works on road and motor vehicles. Young readers are not left out, with a delightful array of picture books and early learning concepts designed to educate and entertain. Fans of contemporary narratives will find compelling stories in our contemporary fiction section. Embark on epic journeys with our fantasy and science fiction titles, or gain inspiration from real-life tales in our biographies and true stories collection. Health-conscious readers can explore our health and wholefood cooking books, focusing on specific diets and conditions.

School Books, Teacher Resources, and Academic Textbooks

Textbooks for Primary, Secondary, and Higher Education

BookLoop proudly supports the educational needs of students and schools across Australia. Our textbook collection includes school books and teacher resources for every phase from primary school books, secondary school books, and essential titles for TAFE courses, vocational training, and university study. Each book is selected to align with curriculum outcomes and classroom needs, making it easy for schools and teachers to plan ahead.

Teacher Resources and Classroom Support Materials

From structured lesson planning to engaging student activities, our wide range of school books and teacher resources provides essential tools for educators. You’ll also find dedicated school and preschool teacher materials designed for early years education, classroom support, and intervention. Teachers can access a reliable selection of workbooks, literacy and numeracy programs, assessment tools, and professional development guides all in one place.

Books for Early Learning Centres and Childcare Professionals

Support the earliest stages of education with our curated range of early childhood care and education books. These titles are ideal for early learning centres, preschools, and childcare settings, offering age-appropriate resources that build foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, and emotional development. Families and educators alike trust our resources for quality, clarity, and classroom effectiveness.

Bulk Book Orders for Schools and Educational Institutions

We make bulk school book orders simple and efficient. Schools, libraries, and early learning centres can rely on BookLoop for competitive pricing, fast shipping, and expert support when sourcing large quantities of textbooks and educational materials. Whether you’re restocking for a new term or ordering resources for an entire class, our bulk ordering system ensures convenience and accuracy every step of the way.

Stay Up to Date with Book Trends

Explore our new releases for the most recent additions in romance books, fantasy books, graphic novels, crime and mystery books, science fiction books as well as biographies, cookbooks, self help books, tarot cards, fortunetelling and much more. With titles covering current trends, booktok and bookstagram recommendations, and emerging authors, BookLoop remains your go-to local australian bookstore for buying books online across all book genres.

Explore the Latest and Most Loved Books

Stay updated with the literary world by browsing our trending books, featuring the latest bestsellers and critically acclaimed works. Explore titles from popular brands like Minecraft, Pokemon, Star Wars, Bluey, Lonely Planet, ABIA award winners, Peppa Pig, and our specialised collection of ADHD books. At BookLoop, we are committed to providing a diverse and enriching reading experience for all.