Amelia Earhart: The Mystery Solved

I just finished reading Elgen and Marie Long's book "Amelia Earhart: The Mystery Solved". It was difficult to put down, and was easily read in about 2 or 3 sessions. For some time now I have been an advocate of this "crash and sink" theory simply because it makes the most sense when weighed against the known and proven evidence. This book finally brings it all together in an exhaustive, entertaining format that is well-written and clearly full of academic legitimacy. I found myself with the feeling of actually being along for the ride in 1937 on several occasions while reading. Whether you are an Earhart enthusiast or just curious to learn more following the release of "Amelia" with Hillary Swank, this is an absolute must read.

Of all the books about women in early aviation, this has the most technical detail and seems the best researched. Be it known that this volume is not, nor is intended to be, a biography of Earhart. Yes, there is detail about her early days and her family, but the author and his wife clearly want to get to the gist --- what happened to Earhart after her take-off from New Guinea in 1937? It is laden with many details about radio transmissions, fuel, and airplane technology. The Longs spent about 30 years researching, interviewed more than 100 persons, and traveled thousands of miles. I recommend this book for its data and either of the two biographies (not written by the Longs) upon which the recent movie Amelia was based. Hand in hand, you'll have the whole picture. Or at least, what we know so far...

I'VE READ ABOUT TWENTY BOOKS ABOUT EARHART'S DISAPPEARANCE AND THIS IS THE BEST BOOK BY FAR! IF YOU ONLY READ ONE BOOK ABOUT AMELIA EARHART AND FRED NOONAN THIS IS THE ONE TO BUY.

Very reminiscent of Gerald Posner's 'Case Closed' this book shows that an apparently unanswerable question can be answered if informed knowledge is brought to bear with clear logic and meticulous research. A fascinating and 'factual' analysis of the doomed aviatrix' last mission and a plausible explanation for the end. The Longs have written what must be considered the 'definitive' book on this undying mystery.

After so many bizzare conspiracy theories, it was a pleasure to read a completely sane book on the disappearance of Amelia Earhart. The authors have done a huge amount of original research, reconstructing Earhart's last flight in excruciating (sometimes tedious) detail. Their new information on the poor human engineering of the Electra's radio gear fills in the last gap in our understanding of why Earhart didn't find Howland Island. The Long's analysis of where the Electra splashed due to fuel exhaustion is somewhat more speculative than the earlier part of the book due to the few details available on Fred Noonan's navigation methods, but it is still the best analysis published to date. I do wish that the book had been better edited.