To fly across the Atlantic today is a risk-free venture. However, says the author, when Charles Lindbergh first flew across
the Atlantic it still required a great deal of courage and daring. That is because he would be flying over the Arctic alone - a land where no man had ever gone before. There was no relief from exhaustion, and few extra rations available in case he should need them. Further, in case of engine failure, there would not be any rescue crews waiting for him. Ironically, the only problem he encountered during his historic visit was daydreaming!
Lindbergh did not make this dangerous flight because of the 25,000 dollar prize offered. In any case, says the author, danger was part and parcel of life; and could not be avoided altogether. Lindbergh says that he enjoyed flying; in fact, he loved flying more than anything else upon the earth. He wanted to convince the general public that flying across the Atlantic was not really dangerous; at least not more dangerous than flying airmail for a single season...
The lessons that Lindbergh learned early on in life proved to be valuable ones to him:
- All danger is relative.
- With gain in experience, one also gains in confidence. In other words, lack of experience - or inexperience - tends to magnify the problems one is facing.
- One's judgement (discretion) and one's skill could help one along.
Starting from the next page, this story is full of flashbacks. In fact, the entire story is told almost in the form of a long, interrupted flashback. These flashbacks refer to the earlier times when Lindbergh was learning how to fly, and gaining in valuable experience at the same time. Flying the Spirit of St. Louis, and faced with the imminent danger of death, it almost seems that the author is reminiscing about his early life and career flying. Was it really worth it, the author seems to be asking himself?!