As an avid fan of true crime, this book was recommended to me by my mother who told me to read "the original true crime book" (originally published as "The Airman and the Carpenter"). She was right! This book was terribly disturbing and really rocked my faith in the American legal system. I had heard stories about the Lindbergh kidnapping and how Hauptmann was NOT the kidnapper, but hearing those tales and reading the book and seeing everything in black and white are two very different things. The facts are astounding . . . people (including the "heroic" Charles Lindbergh) told outright lies and railroaded Hauptmann. His own lawyer basically said Haputmann was guilty and deserved the electric chair . . . NJ Chief of Police Schwarzkopf admitted that he would "do anything" for Lindbergh, including lie! It is a terrible shame how the media and the public crucified this man; he never had a chance. Everyone assumed his guilt from the beginning, and after actually reading fact after fact after fact that was blatantly ignored during the trial . . . it is disturbing and shocking. So much for "innocent until proven guilty" . . . in Hauptmann's case, everyone around him searched for clues that would make him look guilty, and if that meant fabricating evidence against him, then so be it. This book shows the justice system, the media, and the American public in general at its worst. I found myself becoming more and more angry and incensed as I turned each page, as people lied under oath, fabricated evidence, made up stories, and ignored evidence that would have cleared Hauptmann. I felt terrible for him, his wife, and child. I think people inherently believe that if they are innocent, everything will work out for the best and a judge and jury could not possibly believe lies and invented half-truths. An innocent man was put to death for something he obviously did not do. In this day and age, when a jury can find O.J. Simpson "not guilty," I think Bruno Richard Hauptmann should finally be exonerated and have his name cleared.

This is one of the best books of its kind in the world. The author does a wonderful job of stitching it together. This goes beyond a page-turner: this book will take over your life. If you are at all interested in the tradition of mock trials fronting mock justice, this is one of the most ridiculous examples to ever hit the American big top.

This is one of two books that served to convince me that Hauptmann was in fact innocent. I am delighted to see it is back in print, and with a new forward too!

Richard Hauptmann MUST be exonerated. What a shame it could not be done before his wife passed on.

STOLEN AWAY is a very strong novel, but the thing runs for 600 pages and could profitably have been shortened to 400. Yes, the Lindbergh kidnaping was a complex case, but by the end of this book you'll be having a hard time keeping straight the various characters, ransom demands, conflicting stories, etc. No doubt that makes it true to life, but then again, it would be even truer to life if it took you four years to read the book, since that's how long the case took.

Not a bad book in any way other than as noted above, and really impressive for its erudition, but sometimes less is more.

Collins did a better job in FLYING BLIND, methinks.

This was the first of the "Nate Heller" detective series novels of Collins that I had read, and I must admit that I couldn't put it down. Not only is this tour de force a great mystery and suspense novel, it is also a wonderful historical novel; well researched and informative while grabbing and then not letting go of the reader's interest.

The story of how Chicago policeman Heller becomes involved in the case of the Lindbergh baby kidnapping is plausible enough. Once the wise cracking detective is admitted to the inner circle of the myriad investigators and con men (and women) involved in the infamous 1932 tragedy the excitement begins and continues without let-up. I was not that familiar with the details of the case until I started this novel, but Collins does a wonderful job of making each character (both those of historical record, and those who are fictional blendings of historical characters) belivable and memorable. One strong point of the book is that I finished it feeling that I knew more about the case that I did previously. Collins posts an afterword to the book that explains which parts are fictitious, conjecture, and historical. He also presents a detailed proposed reading list for those interested, along with his comments on the bias or worth of each author. I really appreciated this part of the book.

As for Heller himself, the Chicago lawman grows on you, even though Collins presents him as not always a shining knight, showing him "warts and all." The book is quite long, 593 pages in the paperback edition, including the afterword, but the complexities of the story make it a good read, well worth the time and effort.

A definite 5 stars, this one made me rush out and buy up other books in the Nate Heller series, as well as check out the facts of the historical case that inspired this story. My advice is for anyone who hasn't read this novel to do the same.

The best entry in the Nate Heller series. Collins Nate Heller novels are recommended for those who like hard boiled period pieces as well as lovers of true crime. There is good detail on the facts and people involved in the Lindberg kidnapping. Like all the Heller novels, Mr. Collins has his own theory on what really happened. His theory here is really wild. A great book.

Charles A. Lindbergh, first person to fly the Atlantic alone, is a fascinating character. This book, written at the end of his life, is a glimpse in the fertile mind of a great man. He tells the story of being one of the first modern media celebrities, an unsought burden. We also follow him through his careers as a pilot in World War II and as a medical researcher.

The real appeal of this book is not the facts of Lindbergh's life, amazing and interesting as they are. The true privilege for the reader is to hear Lindbergh ruminate on the nature of life and spirituality, the ways to remain sane and centered in modern society, and what it means to be an individual while part of a team.

Lindbergh emerges from this memoir as a deep and warm human, one whose passage through this plane touched so many in a positive way.

This is a great biographie on one of the greatest people ever! THIS IS A MUST READ

As one who has been interested in the kidnapping of Chas Lindbergh since a child, I found this book to be very interesting. The author takes historical facts and turns them into a magnificent work of fiction.

The downside to the book is that it ends without giving the full reaction to the ending. Although the book skips around from personas, toward the end, it skips too much to give the full perspective of anyone.

Due to some sexual content, I do not recommend this book to those under the age of thirteen.

This was a wonderful book to read. I could NOT put it down. The characters were so full of life. They could have been people you knew, members of your family and even a little of yourself could be recognized in them. I didn't feel that the book ever lagged in any spot and it grabbed you from the first sentance. I don't want to give anything about the book away because, if you choose to read it, you should have the full enjoyment and all the wonderment that comes with it. In my opinion, though, it was very well written with just the right amount of detail, not so much that you get bored and enough to picture every scene. The story was beautiful; full of human nature. Andrew Coburn makes his characters real and easily identifiable. I will definately be looking for other books written by this author.

Coburn's Birthright takes you by storm. His language is poetry; his metaphors music. The power of love, anguish, fraility, self-preservation,and death resound in the music of this sonata--note by note.

Hear the tainted timbre of Helen's maternal voice; the rasp on consumption in Rudy's. We want to wipe Shell's desperation from our sweaty palms. We know Father Henry's meancholy as he views with awe a rush of river that he knows will continue to flow, though he won't. And we feel the rod of Mrs. Dodd's spine straighten with cold resolve.

Coburn's words breathe; the metaphors emote. Don't miss it. And beg Coburn for more.

This beautifully written book tells what it's like to grow up as one of the Lindbergh children. What otherwise was a most private family, Reeve opens the door to their New England home and lets us see the personal side of Charles and Anne. She writes honestly, though at times it must hurt, and does address the subject of the kidnapping head on. If you've ever had an interest in any facet of the Lindberghs' life, do not miss this important book.

I have nothing to add about this fascinating, well-written book. But I do want to urge people who have read Under A Wing, and other books about the Lindberghs, or by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, to also read Reeve's novel, The Names of Mountains. It provides another side of the story of this family. A fictionalized account of growing up Lindbergh, it provides insight into Reeve's experiences and her relationship with her mother, and the sorrows and joys they shared.

There can be no doubt that Reeve Lindbergh's memoir is the most touching book about that family that I have read. Through her eyes we go beyond the covers of other books and see what it really meant to be a Lindbergh.

They were almost a closed society onto themselves, yet they still experienced the same joys and sorrows as the rest of us. We find the man who was depised as an isolationist to be a concerned and loving father who read to his children.

We dine with the children at their grandmother's house and we soar above the Connecticut house on Saturdays. The famed aviator at the controls and a bored child in the rear seat.

After reading this book I felt very attached to this famous family. Being the same age as Reeve herself, my only knowledge of the Lindbergh's was the famous flight and the kidnapping as I read in history books. Now, after this book, I feel as though I have become part of them.

It can only be summed up in one word, wonderful.

A short but encompassing summary of Lindbergh's life. Unlike Berg's biography, it omits all but the most important details but gives an accurate overview. Well written and interesting.

Mike Wimmer's art grabs the eye immediately and doesn't let go. The brief, staccato storytelling is effective, but mainly as an augment to the beautiful visuals, perhaps contrary to expectations. Through the use of atmospheric colors and close-up views of Lindbergh and his plane, you're there to share the thrill, exhilaration, and terror of the solitary pilot. This is a perfect book to convey the excitment of flying--especially its early days--to young readers, and a fine tribute to one of America's great men.

I had not realized it, but this year is the 75th anniversary of Charles Lindbergh flying solo across the Atlantic from New York to Paris in the Spirit of St. Louis. So I was curious to see what was out there in terms of juvenile literature about the Lone Eagle. Chris L. Demarest does both the writing and the watercolor illustrations in "Lindbergh." The book goes from Lindbergh's birth in 1902, when "not a single plane flew in the American sky," and ends with the Spirit of St. Louis touching down in Paris. An afterword touches on Lindbergh's life after his historic flight, which included helping to develop the first heart pump successfully used to keep patients alive during transplant operations, although it does refrain from talking about the kidnapping of his first sun (which is not especially something young readers need to know about). Demarest gives a nice sense of what life what like for Lindbergh when he was a boy and covers his love of flying which led to the trans-Atlantic flight. The highlights of the flight are covered, so "Lindbergh" certainly gives young readers an introduction into one of the great American heroes of the 20th century.

Stunning, detailed account of the life of Charles Lindbergh; one of a handful of pioneering aviators with the vision and passionate zeal to advance the cause of commercial aviation. A very personal, and revealing study of the man who, in his record 34 hour flight from New York to Paris, changed the world in ways he never dreamed of; for the catalyst of his flight was the start of the Air Age. Well written and lavishly illustrated with photos rarely seen from the Lindbergh Family Album. Anyone remotely interested in aviation should read this book, or view the film "Spirit of St. Louis".

The only way a reader could give any credibility to the authors' outlandish and contradictory theories (either Charles Lindbergh or his sister-in-law killed the baby!) is to ignore the actual evidence which overwhelmingly proves Bruno Hauptman's guilt. And that's exactly what the authors do: They ignore the fact that large amounts of ransom money was found at Hauptman's house, that the unique mis-spellings in the ranson notes (for example, hyphenation of "New-York") matched handwriting samples from Hauptmann written from before the kidnapping (pretty hard to fabricate or forge pre-existing business documents), that Hauptmann was a notorious "second-story" burglar back in Germany, etc., etc. The authors focus on the weak pieces of evidence against Hauptman and then knock down that evidence--a classic "Straw Man" strategy. The authors base their theory on an affidavit which, (they casually mention) was "lost" years ago. Now THAT'S SOME PROOF!!!!
If you are seriously interested in this crime, read one or both of Jim Fischer's books.

The theory that Charles Lindbergh might have committed the kidnapping as a 'joke' (he was well known for pulling bizarre and risky practical jokes on friends and family) was a possibility that was never considered by the police who investigated the kidnapping at the time. It should have been considered! Contemporary readers have the benefit of knowing about the Ramsey case, the Susan Smith case and many other sad stories of parents harming their own children.

People who dismiss Ahlgren and Monier's book and theory that Lindy was involved in his son's disappearance and death must have the stars of Lindbergh's fame clouding their eyes. One also needs to realize that Lindbergh's contribution to American culture as an aviator did not make him a perfect man or father. If Lindbergh did what Ahlgren and Monier suggest he did, he was guilty of poor judgment and had an amazing lack of protective parental instincts for his son, but he was not a cold blooded killer.

There were many 'loose ends' in the state's case against Bruno Richard Hauptmann. This book offers some very plausible explanations for many of the previously unexplained or poorly explained events surrounding the 'kidnapping' and death of Charles Lindbergh, jr. It is not perfectly written, but it's well worth the read.

In 1927 Charles Lindbergh flew the first solo trans-Atlantic flight from New York to Paris, this is recorded in the history books. In 1932 his 20-month-old son was abducted and killed, also recorded in the history books.

The subsequent investigations lead to the arrest, conviction and death of Bruno Richard Hauptmann, again recorded in history. But what if history was wrong and what if Hauptmann was setup? That is what the authors try to prove in this book.

The book gives new evidence and sheds new light on a crime many consider to be the worst in history. The authors show that Lindbergh cremated the body before any autopsy was ever done. They show, with convincing arguments that Lindbergh's story doesn't add up.

The authors take apart, piece by piece, every shred of evidence and show that the wrong man was convicted and that the investigators were detailed as they lead the public to believe. This first rate work gives the reader a clear picture and after reading you can decide if they have done their homework.