Description:
From the New York Times bestselling author, a fascinating exploration of one of the most famous marriages of the 20th century
In Solo and Together, Hansen uncovers the intricate tapestries of two of the 20th century's most iconic personalities, revealing insights that change what we thought we knew about America's pioneering aviator and his accomplished writer-wife.
Through groundbreaking archival research and intimate interviews with family members, Hansen navigates the triumphs and tragedies that defined the Lindberghs' shared journey--from Charles's historic transatlantic flight to their family's darkest chapter: the infamous kidnapping and murder of their first child. The narrative delves into Charles's divisive isolationist stances during the years leading up to World War II and shares revelations of Charles's secret life, including his relationships with three European women and the seven children he fathered. Alongside this, Hansen casts light on Anne Morrow Lindbergh's own private struggles and secret desires, offering a fresh perspective on her literary achievements and personal sacrifices.
Hansen delivers a deeply human portrait of the Lindberghs, one that challenges assumptions while respecting the indelible mark they left on history. A must-read for anyone captivated by the lives of those who dare to soar beyond boundaries, Solo and Together promises to enthrall and educate, providing a definitive account of love, ambition, betrayal, and resilience.
Brief description: JAMES R. HANSEN is professor emeritus of history at Auburn University and a former NASA historian. Author of 15 books on air, space, and exploration, his book First Man (the authorized Neil Armstrong biography) was a two-time New York Times bestseller, translated into 24 languages, and adapted into an Academy Award-winning film. NASA nominated Spaceflight Revolution for a Pulitzer. He lives in Birmingham, Alabama, with his wife Peggy.
Review Quotes:
"A vividly written and meticulously researched joint biography of the superstar celebrity couple that were akin to American Royalty for much of the 20th Century. Drawn to each other by their shared love of aviation, which never abated, the Lindberghs were a team extraordinaire...This is American history at its very finest. Highly recommended!!"
―Douglas Brinkley, Katherine Tsanoff Brown Chair in Humanities and Professor of History, Rice University, author of American Moonshot: John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race
"The character of these romantic heroes is mysterious; only a great love could have navigated the storms of their complicated marriage. The magic of this dual portrait is the light these lovers shed on each other. Hansen's compassionate, wise book has provided a vital illumination."
―Daniel Mark Epstein, author of The Lincolns: Portrait of a Marriage, and Constellations: Collected Poems
"Reveals the complexities of the Lindberghs' marriage--the courage, passions, strains, joys and sorrows, sacrifices, secrets, and betrayals--yet abiding devotion of a world-famous duo. Solo and Together offers portraits of two immensely gifted souls, not as kindred spirits but as a pair whose bond forged through flight survived their contrasting temperaments and pursuits."
--Dr. Valerie Neal, Curator Emerita, Space History Department, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
"Jim Hansen has done more than write a book about the lives and troublesome marriage of a famous and brilliant couple who pioneered not only aviation but the arts. He has revealed through their story a society and a culture now lost to time but one that still affects us today, especially in politics and family life. Through their letters and first-hand accounts, this true story of Charles and Anne Lindbergh and the age in which they lived so magnificently and tragically will tear at your soul and your heart. Hansen has written so well about the Lindberghs, and so revealingly, that at the end of the book, I felt almost as if I personally knew them and should send along a note of encouragement, consolation, or despair."
--Homer Hickam, author Rocket Boys/October Sky
"Astounding...Hansen uses one of the most famous 20th-century marriages to reveal significant new material about the most violent, turbulent era of history... Original, entertaining, and important."
―Derek Leebaert, author of Unlikely Heroes
"No marital relationship born in twentieth-century America deserves a new, incisive look more than that of Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh. James Hansen has delivered a superb and nuanced portrait of their confounded partnership, doing justice both to the individuals and the complex historical record."
―Steven P. Gietschier, American historian, author of Baseball: The Turbulent Midcentury Years
"A welcome, new insight into an intriguing couple as they moved through a remarkable era in history."
―Francis French, bestselling author of Falling to Earth