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A review by corncobwebs
Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming
It is impossible to gauge how much Amelia's life inspired the generations of women who came after her. At a time when women felt limited to the roles of wife and mother, she encouraged them to challenge themselves and seize their dreams. And she did it with zest, boldness and courage.
Amelia Earhart was not afraid of death. She had said so many times. A paragraph from a letter she left behind in case she did not return home from her world flight proved that. She wrote:
"Please know I am quite aware of the hazards. I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others."
This was an outstanding, absorbing read. It was a very even account of Earhart's persona, addressing not only Amelia Earhart the hero, but also Amelia Earhart the savvy businesswomen. It hadn't occurred to me before that Earhart might be pursuing flight records for financial gain and personal notoriety, but I think those motives were definitely a part of her personal makeup. When someone dies young in a tragedy, the public tends to overlook these things. Does that make her less heroic, less influential? I guess that's up for debate. I do have mixed feelings about how she was trying to set various flight records in the midst of the Great Depression. Most people were really struggling, but she was pursuing something that was comparatively frivolous.
Even so, I think the above quote holds true. All criticisms aside, Earhart was a courageous pioneer who showed women that they could be and do more than what was expected of them. She's also a great example of how to press ahead even when you're terrified -- she had to fly in some really scary conditions (including her plane being on fire), and she always kept her cool and made it through to the other side. Well, except for that last time, of course.
When I was a kid, I always had this conception that when I died, I would instantaneously know all the secrets of the world. I have no idea what really happens when we die, but it would be so awesome if this were the case -- then I would know what really happened to Amelia Earhart. Things to look forward to, right?? Unless death is nothingness -- then I'm screwed. But at least now I know the word "aviatrix," which I think is the best word ever.
Amelia Earhart was not afraid of death. She had said so many times. A paragraph from a letter she left behind in case she did not return home from her world flight proved that. She wrote:
"Please know I am quite aware of the hazards. I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others."
This was an outstanding, absorbing read. It was a very even account of Earhart's persona, addressing not only Amelia Earhart the hero, but also Amelia Earhart the savvy businesswomen. It hadn't occurred to me before that Earhart might be pursuing flight records for financial gain and personal notoriety, but I think those motives were definitely a part of her personal makeup. When someone dies young in a tragedy, the public tends to overlook these things. Does that make her less heroic, less influential? I guess that's up for debate. I do have mixed feelings about how she was trying to set various flight records in the midst of the Great Depression. Most people were really struggling, but she was pursuing something that was comparatively frivolous.
Even so, I think the above quote holds true. All criticisms aside, Earhart was a courageous pioneer who showed women that they could be and do more than what was expected of them. She's also a great example of how to press ahead even when you're terrified -- she had to fly in some really scary conditions (including her plane being on fire), and she always kept her cool and made it through to the other side. Well, except for that last time, of course.
When I was a kid, I always had this conception that when I died, I would instantaneously know all the secrets of the world. I have no idea what really happens when we die, but it would be so awesome if this were the case -- then I would know what really happened to Amelia Earhart. Things to look forward to, right?? Unless death is nothingness -- then I'm screwed. But at least now I know the word "aviatrix," which I think is the best word ever.