TheWrightBrothers

I recently read The Wright Brothers by David McCullough (2015).

In this biography DM recounts the lives of Wilbur and Orville Wright from birth to death.  Some interesting tidbits of new learning for me from this work:

• The Wright brothers had tremendous work ethic, combined with what were evidently near-genius minds.
• The Wright brothers were sons of an itinerant preacher.
• The French and British governments expressed much more early interest in the Wright flying machine than did the U.S. government. 
• The shear number of prototypes built and trials conducted during the development of the flying machine is mind boggling.  Few humans have this level of focus or tenacity.
• Neither of the Wright brothers married.  Wilbur died in his forties and Orville lived into his seventies.

Another excellent work by DM, as expected.  He again took a ton of historical facts and weaved an interesting and coherent story with them.  History buffs will surely want to read this one.