Lost Star: The Search for Amelia Earhart

I admit that I had grown tired of books which were essentially about Earhart's independent character as well as her fascination with aviation publicity stunts, when I have long considered the aviatrixes of the past as people who, like their male counterparts, seem to be somewhat superficial glory-seekers, as opposed to simply loving flying for what it is. As a female aviation enthusiast I've read a good deal about Cochran, Earhart, and Markham in the past, so I was ready to cast this book aside as soon as it started in on the same old repetition. However, it turns out that it offers a unique perspective, which if true would actually increase my respect for Earhart's character. The book certainly raises questions that I've never heard anyone raise before, such as the possibility that she could have been taking aerial reconnaisance photographs for the U.S. government on her last journey, and that she might actually have been captured and held as a Japanese prisoner of war, fully known to but ignored by the U.S. government. There is more second-hand and circumstantial evidence than I would like, but the hard evidence in photographs and documents, albeit scarce, is indeed intriguing. An interesting case that, for me, will require more research on my own part.

It is said to have taken Randall Brink a decade to research the information he presents in his 183 pages of text. "Lost Star" is a magnificant example of dogged, never-say-die investigative reporting. To get at many of the government files, written in the pre-computer era, the author had to describe what he wanted exactly; get a date or memo title wrong, and the government wouldn't even acknowledge its existance. Much less give him the item.Brink should be commended for tracking down elderly ex-Lockheed employees before their deaths: they confirm that the plane AE took off in for her final world trip, was not the same aircraft she'd purchased. The author and his sources give compelling evidence that instead of a silly publicity stunt, this world tour was actually a spy trip -- an allegation that neither the U.S. nor Japanese governments will acknowledge. What happened to Earhart -- was she one of the Tokyo Rose broadcasters? did she return to the U.S. after the war under a new identity? -- still remains a mystery, but Brink breaks through much of the myth. I only wish that he could have completely solved the case so that if her spy mission role was confirmed, AE and Fred Noonan could be accorded the honors that are normally given to war heroes. After all, they would have been our first casualties for WWII -- even in 1937, FDR's administration knew it was coming, and apparently had them map uncharted African territory as well as check on Japanese military movement. This book is a triumph and must reading for any Earhart fan, flying enthusiast, history buff or feminist who admires the spirit of this fearless female flyer.

This is the most recent in the line of books presenting the mystery of the disappearance of Amelia Earhart. It is very readable and presents substantial new information that points toward the conclusion that AE did not perish during her flight around the world attempt in 1937. The fijnal chapter in this episode remains to be written, but this represents an excellent review of the information at this time.

Absolutely fantastic follow-on to the 1970 book on the same subject written by Joe Klaas. If you like conspiracies, this is a good one. Much material recently made available thru "Freedom of Information" and elswhere. Very readable, and even accurate relating to technical details. We are probably destined to never learn the final disposition of AE, but this book goes a long way toward answering questions relating to this. A 'must read' if your interest lies in this direction.