Introduction: The man who owned the sky -- Birds and balloons -- The first birdman -- Parachutes and gasbags -- Into the wind -- The boy aeronaut -- Wings -- The bird of prey -- Takeoff! -- Silent success -- Triumph -- ... and tragedy -- Crossing the channel -- Higher, steeper, faster -- The week of miracles -- A week of miracles in America -- The stardust twins -- American hero -- The world comes to New York -- A woman's place is in the air -- Flying for the Navy -- Pushing to the edge and beyond -- Two great lights extinguished -- Aircraft carrier -- The boy aeronaut grows up -- The falls -- 350,000 witnesses -- From sea to shining sea -- Peer pressure -- Disaster -- The master birdman is grounded -- The last great trick -- The master birdman returns -- Around the world -- Looping across America -- Flying for the president -- Monoplane -- Epilogue: Turning the page.