The Fledgling

Name: The Fledgling
Author: Charles Nordhoff

By Charles Nordhoff

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Adventure American Literature History - Modern (1750+)

About This Book

A volunteer aviator describes life at a French flying school near the front, recounting daily routines, camaraderie, and small hardships. He sketches barrack existence, meals, card games, and a vivid anecdote about a rat and a New Year's celebration that reveal morale amid danger. The account shifts to technical training, explaining ground drills, controls, and the procedures for early monoplanes and fighters, with attention to takeoffs, landings, and handling. Through crisp episodes and observation he conveys both the exhilaration of first flights and the steady discipline required to become a trained pilot.

About the Author

Charles Nordhoff

Charles Nordhoff was an American author and journalist known for his explorations and observations of various communities in the United States. He is particularly recognized for his work "The Communistic Societies of the United States," which provides a detailed account of utopian communities based on his personal visits. Nordhoff also wrote about the landscapes and cultures of the West in his travelogue "Northern California, Oregon, and the Sandwich Islands." His literary contributions reflect a keen interest in social structures and the natural environment, making him a notable figure in 19th-century American literature.