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Hokitika Guardian, 27 October 1927, Page 2

One of the surprises in aviation feats was the one man ilight irom America to France this year. The performer of the dectl has told the story incidentally in his lately published hook, “We.” Although Captain Charles A. Lindbergh’s career has not been a long one, he has contrived to pack it with thrills and in “We” ho Ims written an account of it. The significance of the title, notes a reviewer, is that, with himself the author couples his 'plane, “The Spirit of St. Louis.” Tlis interest in aviation dates from liis student- days at the University of Wisconsin, where he took a course in engineering, and supplemented it with one of aeronautics. .Just ns some people are endowed by nature with goal “hands” for a horse, so Captain Lindbergh seems to have exhibited an insii.netive aptitude for the air. While still a neophyle, he did hair-raising “stunts,” which earned him recognition ns a skilled pilot, and a post in (lie air mail service. Thou came his flight from San Diego to St. Louis, which was tile prelude to his famous achievement. Although the author was not afraid to essay the trans-Atlan-tic flight he shrank from describing bis reception in Europe and America. That last has been left to Mr Eiizliugh Green, one of his friends. Everywhere Captain Lindbergh was greeted with finite delirious enthusiasm. But the photographs convey an oven better impression than the letterpress of the crouds which assembled to welcome him. A remarkable view from the top of Washington monument shows a solid mass of humanity stretching as far as Die eye can reach, ft was a miracle that these demonstrations were not accompanied by loss of life. Mr Green, by die way, was. surprised and touched to find that every year a memorial service is held at Westminster in lion ur of those who fell in the American civil war. Captain Lindbergh's narrative is simple, modest and unalfeoteil. lie

has been unspoiled by an experience which would have turned many an older head. I.ess restraint is displayed in a foreword contributed by Mr Myron T. Herrick. American Ambassador lo Varis, who unnecessarily and injudiciously compares Captain Lindbergh to .lean of Arc and -Lafayette.