American Revolutionaries and Founders of the Nation

By James Meisner, Jr. and Amy Ruth



    In this children's collective biography, we examine the lives of ten of the men who helped establish our country - men who are seldom found in other children's biographies. From John Jay, the first chief justice of the Supreme Court, to future presidents John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison, each founding father and his contributions to the fight for liberty and the framing of the new American democracy are discussed. 
     Others included are Alexander Hamilton, Virginians Richard Henry Lee and George Mason, William Patterson, Roger Sherman, and Gouverneur Morris. 
     While I wrote the book, Amy did the photo research, and with seven children's books of her own, she did a fantastic job of making sure it was at a 10-year old reading level.




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The Bishop's Boys: A Life of Wilbur and Orville Wright

by Tom D. Crouch

     One of the most popular Wright biographies, The Bishop's Boys does a wonderful job of explaining both the Wright family history and the history of aviation. 
     Tom Crouch is the senior curator at the Smithsonian Institution's National Air & Space Museum. A wonderful writer (The Bishop's Boys won a Christopher Award for 1990), Tom is a jovial, easy going man who is as pleasant to talk with as his books are to read. 
     The Bishop's Boys is an excellent introduction to the Wrights.

Visions of a Flying Machine : The Wright Brothers and the Process of Invention (Smithsonian History of Aviation Series)
by Peter L. Jakab
     This book begins with an excellent introduction by Tom Crouch. 
     While Jakab's writing is a bit academic, his detailed analysis of the technology, the theoretical physics and the mathematics of flight make this an important volume in any Wright brothers collection. 
The Papers of Wilbur and Orville Wright, two-volume set

edited by Marvin W. McFarland
 
     Where Wright scholarship begins. Originally published in 1953, this reprint is repackaged for the Centennial celebration. 
     Shows how their minds worked and a 'must have' for any Wright researcher. From Wilbur's first letter that started it all, to Orville's last letter 50 years later, this is fascinating reading. 
     Worth every penny.
The Wright Brothers: A Biography

by Fred G. Kelly
 
     Written in Orville's lifetime, this is the only biography authorized by Orville, and it shows. It glosses over negative or technical questions, leaving out a lot of interesting information, and shows Orville in the brightest and most favorable light. 
     This is a simply written and basic book, but an important source that all other biographies draw from.
First in Flight: The Wright Brothers in North Carolina

by Stephen Kirk
 
     A fascinating and unique perspective. Explores the time spent in North Carolina by the boys from Ohio. The Wrights literally created the tourism industry on the beaches of the Outer Banks, and this book explores it with well researched, interesting and often humorous stories.
The Wright Brothers, How They Invented the Airplane

By Russell Freedman
 
A 1992 Newbery Honor winner. A photo history of the Wrights, with photos taken by the brothers themselves. A wonderful children's book, for grades 4-9.
The Wright Stuff, The Wright Brothers and the Invention of the Airplane
From the PBS series The American Experience, narrated by Garrison Keillor. This is my favorite video about the Wright brothers. 
Wright  Brothers, Orville Wright  Wright brothers posters

First Flight Poster

This 21" x 33" poster is the only poster made directly from an original print of the historic first flight. A framed copy hangs over my desk. Shipped rolled in a poster box. 

Price: $15.99. Includes shipping. 
Wright brothers poster