Lady Icarus: Balloonomania and the Brief, Bold Life of Sophie Blanchard (Library Binding) (ISBN-13: 9780593122044)

A riveting middle-grade biography about Sophie Blanchard, the first woman to work as a professional aeronaut in France in the late 1700s, set against the thrilling backdrop of early flight.

Before Amelia Earhart, there was Sophie Blanchard, the first woman to earn her living in the air. While no one knows the fate of Earhart, a terrified crowd of thousands looked on as French aeronaut Sophie Blanchard met her end in a tragic blaze of glory over the streets of Paris in 1819.

But first, Blanchard made nearly 70 spectacular flights, survived a revolution, and become a court favorite of the emperor Napoleon (who gave her the title, "Aeronaut of the Official Festivals") and later of the King of France. Set against the backdrop of the history of flight, watch as Balloonmania-- a phenomenon that riveted all of Europe-- took hold and inspired a great many artists authors, and dreamers.

This lively scrapbook-style biography with more than fifty black-and-white photos throughout, introduces a frightened, nervous girl who became a fearless legend in the skies.

Author: Deborah Noyes
ISBN-10: 0593122046
ISBN-13: 9780593122044
Publisher: Random House Studio
Language: English
Published: 03/08/2022
Pages: 176
Format: Library Binding
Weight: 0.35lbs
Size: 9.20h x 6.30w x 0.90d

Review Citation(s):
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 03/01/2022