"WE" (1927 book) facts for kids
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Dustjacket and cover (1927 first edition)
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| Author | Charles A. Lindbergh Fitzhugh Green (appendix) |
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| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Autobiography |
| Publisher | G. P. Putnam's Sons |
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Publication date
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July 27, 1927 |
| Pages | 318 |
"WE" is an exciting book written by Charles A. Lindbergh (1902–1974). It tells the story of his life and his amazing solo flight across the Atlantic Ocean in May 1927. Lindbergh flew from New York to Paris in his special airplane, the Spirit of St. Louis. This book was first published on July 27, 1927, in New York.
Contents
About "WE": Lindbergh's Famous Book
The Story Behind the Book
Charles Lindbergh was a 25-year-old pilot for the US Air Mail. On May 20–21, 1927, he made history. He completed the first non-stop solo flight across the Atlantic. He flew from New York to Paris in his single-engine plane, the Spirit of St. Louis. Just 57 days later, his book "WE" was released. It was the first of many books Lindbergh would write or help create.
The book was 318 pages long and included illustrations. G.P. Putnam's Sons published it. This company was run by George P. Putnam, a big supporter of aviation. Putnam also helped another famous pilot, Amelia Earhart. Lindbergh wanted to share his own story with the public. He wrote about his life, his flight, and his ideas for the future of aviation. "WE" quickly became a huge bestseller.
What "WE" Really Meant
The book's title, "WE", was simple and unique. The publisher suggested it meant a "spiritual" partnership between Lindbergh and his airplane. This idea came from the difficult hours of his flight. However, Lindbergh later said this was not correct. He explained that "we" referred to himself and the people in St. Louis who helped pay for his flight. Even so, he often used "we" when talking about himself and the Spirit of St. Louis.
Lindbergh Writes His Own Story
After his flight, Lindbergh was very busy. He was celebrated in Washington, New York, and St. Louis. During this time, a reporter named J. Carlisle MacDonald quickly wrote a first draft of the book. MacDonald had interviewed Lindbergh during his journey. However, Lindbergh was very careful and precise. He felt the draft had mistakes and didn't sound like him. He rejected it.
Lindbergh had a contract with the publisher. He knew he had to deliver the book. So, he decided to rewrite the entire book himself. He worked very hard for less than three weeks. He stayed at the mansion of Harry Frank Guggenheim, a businessman and aviation supporter. Lindbergh wrote everything by hand. He wanted the book to be accurate and perfect.
The New York Times praised Lindbergh for taking his time. They noted he refused to rush the book. He wanted it to be the best account of his life and flight. This dedication impressed many people.
A Bestseller and a Big Tour
"WE" was officially released on July 27, 1927. Within six weeks, it sold over 190,000 copies. A special limited edition, signed by Lindbergh, also sold out fast. The book was translated into many languages. It stayed at the top of bestseller lists for a long time. Lindbergh earned a lot of money from the book's success.
The book's popularity grew even more because of Lindbergh's tour. He traveled across the United States in the Spirit of St. Louis. This tour promoted aviation and his book. Over 30 million Americans saw him in person. This was a huge number for the time. Lindbergh visited 82 cities in all 48 states. He gave 147 speeches and rode in many parades. No other author had such a big tour to promote their book.
What People Thought of "WE"
Myron T. Herrick, the US Ambassador to France, wrote a foreword for "WE". He praised Lindbergh's passion for flying. Herrick believed the book would greatly help advance aviation. He also saw Lindbergh as a symbol of American ideals. The book also included an essay by editor Fitzhugh Green. This essay described the huge welcomes Lindbergh received after his flight.
Interestingly, only a small part of "WE" (18 pages) describes the actual flight. Most of the book is about Lindbergh's life before May 20, 1927. Years later, in 1953, Lindbergh wrote another book. It was called The Spirit of St. Louis. This book, which won a Pulitzer Prize, focused entirely on the flight itself.
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Reviews for "WE" were mostly positive. However, some people wished there was more detail about the flight itself. Horace Green, reviewing for the New York Times, noted this. But he also admired Lindbergh's careful attention to detail. He said Lindbergh's mind worked without extra "embroidery." This meant Lindbergh was direct and precise in his writing. People were glad that Lindbergh told his own story, without too much help from others.
Lindbergh's Training: A Key to Success
In "WE", Lindbergh shared an important lesson. He said his year of US Army flight training (1924–1925) was crucial. This training helped him become a focused and skilled pilot. It prepared him for his amazing transatlantic flight just two years later.
Lindbergh wrote about his time at Brooks and Kelly flying schools. He called it "one of the banner years in a pilot's life." He explained that the training was tough but excellent. Cadets had to focus completely on flying. They had to dedicate all their energy to this single goal for 12 months. When they earned their wings, they knew they had graduated from one of the world's best flying schools. This dedication helped him achieve his historic flight.
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