The Hindenburg

By Patrick O'Brien

Book Overview

A dramatic, vividly illustrated look at the tragic ship whose fiery crash ended the age of the dirigible. Like a fabulous silvery fish, floating quietly in the ocean of air ... it seemed to be coming from another world and to be returning there like a dream. On May 6, 1937, the Hindenburg, the largest and fastest airship ever built, exploded in a tremendous ball of fire as it came to land in Lakehurst, New Jersey. It was one of the most spectacular disasters of the twentieth century, and in a single moment ended the era of the majestic dirigible airships. For thirty-seven years before the Hindenburg tragedy, the gigantic airships of the Zeppelin Company captivated the world as they carried thousands of passengers on luxurious transatlantic voyages. Some dreamed that the steerable, gas-filled "zeppelins," invented three years before the airplane, would fill the skies as the unrivaled way to travel over the ocean. That dream ended with the Hindenburg. Readers of all ages will enjoy this fascinating look at the Hindenburg and the magical age of the Zeppelin airships.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 080506415X
• ISBN13: 9780805064155
• Release Date: October 2000
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR)
• Length: 40 Pages
• Weight: 0.98 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.7" x 0.4" x 10.3"
• Age Range: 5 to 8 years
• Grade Range: Kindergarten to Grade 3

Customer Reviews

For Adults as well as Kids

This book will give adults and children who are unfamiliar with the Hindenburg an easy to understand synopsis on the history of zeppelins as well as the eventual Hindenburg disaster. It is a quick and easy way for people to get a basic understanding on this subject. The book is packed with fantastic illustrations.

"Fahrscheine, bitte."

The tragic, fiery crash of the Hindenburg remains a mystery. Was it sabotage? Lightning? A Skyline moment?Either way, modern children need to learn respect for the powerful, gas-filled dirigible. Lulled into a false sense of security by the focus-group-friendly corporate blimps of today, this gorgeous book recounting the Hindenburg disaster will make children realize they've taken hydrogen for granted.Informative, historical narrative aside, this book's evocative watercolor-and-gouache illustrations perfectly capture the detail of that terrible day. The book doesn't shy away from the less-pleasant aspects of that age, using bright colors to highlight the hated Nazi flag emblazoned on the fins of the doomed airship.Of course, no retelling of the Hindenburg is complete without "the good part," and this book refuses to pull any punches, depicting the horrible spectacle with an explosion of color and dramatic perspectives.Pefect for all ages!

Kirkus reviews says...

Kirkus Reviews said of this book: "Compellingly well told, beautifully illustrated, and skillfully designed, this is a work that will find a wide audience."

Hindenberg

This book has great pictures to keep the interest of young readers. My son did not know this story was true and he really wanted me to help him read this book NOW so he could find out what happened to all the people. The size of the airship amazed him and he learned a lot!