Flight of Passage: A Memoir
 

Flight of Passage: A Memoir

by Rinker Buck

Writer Rinker Buck looks back more than 30 years to a summer when he and his brother, at ages 15 and 17 respectively, became the youngest duo to fly across America, from New Jersey to California. Having grown up in an aviation family, the two boys bought an old Piper Cub, restored it themselves, and set out on the grand journey. Buck is a great storyteller, and once you get airborne with the... (read more)

Top tags: aviationcoming of agehobbymemoirmemoirs (all tags)

Overview: Amazon Reviews

Flight of Passage
  • Rated 5 stars
Reviewed by an Amazon user, 2008-06-13
Interesting and well written story of two kids flying across the country in a Piper Cub. Great adventure and an example of God's provision and protection even when people don't acknowledge His existence.
Outstanding flying adventure!
  • Rated 5 stars
Reviewed by an Amazon user, 2008-06-05
I am a new private pilot and devour anything aviation related, so I very much enjoyed the flying theme of this book. But even without the flying aspect, it is a great story of how complicated father/son relationships can be and the bonding between brothers. It is a very touching story. Mr. Buck is a solid author as well, which is not always a prerequisite for writing a memoir.
Wonderful Book for Any Reader
  • Rated 5 stars
Reviewed by an Amazon user, 2008-04-28
This is a fantastic book! I've read it twice and will most likely read it again. It has so many compelling elements that it can't be fully appreciated in one reading. I think that the sheer adventure in Kern and Rinker Buck's 1966 coast-to-coast flight is what really seized me. I am the same age as the Buck brothers and struck out on my own the very same week they made their flight. Their desire to have an adventure, prove something to their father and master a pursuit reserved for skilled adults hit home with me. The book is funny, touching and insightful about family relationships.

It is a great read and I, for one, am very grateful to Rinker Buck for putting this story down on paper all these years later.
You won't put it down and you'll want to read it again.
  • Rated 5 stars
Reviewed by an Amazon user, 2008-03-05
WARNING: the first few chapters are dry, I almost gave up on the book and I am glad i didn't because after the first few chapters the book is so interesting and grabs you.

Very Funny and descriptive you will love this book even if you don't have an interest in aviation.

it takes you through the boys journey and Rinker Buck describes everything in enjoyable detail. The book describes their flight across the country and back(although he really does blow through the journey back).

The book reminds you of a different time in the world, 1966, when you could fly around without a radio and sleep on the tarmac at the airport.

Anyone can enjoy this book and it is in story format, not biography.
delightful
  • Rated 5 stars
Reviewed by an Amazon user, 2008-02-17
Rinker Buck is an engaging storyteller and this story is truly delightful. Touching at times and hilarious at others, Buck takes you along on he and his brother's amazing adventure across America in a Piper Cub. I would recommend this book to just about anybody, especially aviation enthusiasts.

One note: you don't need to read the after word as it is a little sad and depressing after such a good read, and it doesn't relate to the story that much.
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