Higher, Steeper, Faster: The Daredevils Who Conquered the Skies

We tend to think of invention as a meticulous process, conducted in a lab or a workshop. But sometimes, invention comes from mavericks and kooks daring to push the envelope. The history of flight is no different, and any look at the early days of aviation will find them inseparable from the incredible acts of derring-do that gave “daredevils” their name.

Higher, Steeper, Faster celebrates the brave men and women who took to the skies, testing prototypes and innovative designs while pushing the boundaries of speed, altitude, and stunt-flying to new limits. Goldstone does an impressive job bringing this lost era to life, balancing the big personalities and highlights with the sobering realities of when gravity unfortunately wins out.

We all know that the Wright Brothers were first in flight, but seeing what came next was eye-opening. There were plenty of names and events I didn’t know, and Goldstone ensured that all of the important players got their time in the spotlight.

Higher, Steeper, Faster is the kind of history book we need more of. It’s accessible, engaging, and informative. What a treat.