Loss of Eden: A Biography of Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh

by Joyce Milton

A look at the forty-five-year marriage of the Lindberghs discusses their courtship, the kidnapping and murder of their son, and their involvement in the America First movement

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, History, Aviation, American History, 20th Century

520 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Joyce Milton is the author of several noted juvenile biographies, as well as the prize-winning novel, Save the Loonies.

Reviews

[Lynn Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started to read this book months ago but just couldn't get into it. Soooooo, I put it aside and forgot about it. Last week I watched a fascinating documentary on TV about the kidnapping I dug the book out and started again. It was fascinating! I couldn't put it down. It even brought back a childhood memory. The kidnapping happened 13 years before I was born, but my parents talked aboutd years it for years and years. As a very young girl, I was terrified that someone would get in our house, take me somewhere, and kill me. This book also left me with some serious questions about the "heroic" Charles Lindbergh. I felt great synpathy for Anne Morrow Lindbergh.

[Mcwaguespack Waguespack · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating study of two people from completely different backgrounds and their roles in shaping American history. Anne was shy and bookish and privileged, while Charles was daring and lived by the seat of his pants. They both became pioneers of aviation and notable writers and survived the most famous kidnapping case of the century. I like reading well-written biographies not only because of the insightful psychological portraits, but also because I learn more about various periods of history.

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

While it was interesting information, it was boring reading! Took me forever it seems to finish it. I read other books while I was reading this one, just to stay alive. I did like the Aviator's Wife which was a fictional account of Anne Morrow Lindbergh.....but the two stories did not jive very well which was a disappointment too. I wouldn't recommend this book. It jumped around quite a bit and I found I had to count on the fiction book to keep myself aware of what was happening in the biography.

[Diane Secchiaroli · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read about 2 historical figures and the people around them. Appears to be well researched. Slow going at times but I was also reading a second book at the same time which could have contributed to a "lack of interest". Would recommend the book for those who are interested in Anne and Charles Lindbergh and their writings.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historian Joyce Milton centers this dual biography around the 1932 Lindbergh baby kidnapping, and makes an excellent case that Bruno Hauptmann, convicted and executed for murdering Charles A. Lindbergh, Jr, did so - but not alone.

[Marguerite Czajka · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't aware of Lindbergh's contributions to science, environmentalism, and medical research. I found his n0n-aviation pursuits interesting.

[Snow · Rating 4 out of 5]

More than 25 years after this was written, I found “Loss of Eden” to be a fascinating and compelling dual biography of Charles and Anne Lindbergh. Obviously the book focuses on Charles more than Anne, but their lives before and after they married were presented in an interesting and mostly unbiased fashion.

The author gets a bit into the weeds discussing conspiracy theories surrounding the kidnapping and doesn’t explain well the many players and their relationships to the case. However, since these were conspiracy theories, it was less relevant.

The author gets bogged down again in the defense of the Lindberghs prior to the outbreak of WWII. This was the only section where I perceived that the author was trying to explain how Charles’s upbringing, combined with differences in society at the time, culminated in an unpopular but misunderstood view of the Nazi and Communist regimes.

Overall, this is a fantastic biography and I recommend.

[Sonja Warner · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this biography of Charles & Anne Lindbergh. I knew only the very basics prior to reading this and found that they were a fairly interesting couple. The book was a good read and kept me interested for the duration. The book seemed to lean a bit more heavily on Charles as opposed to Anne; and I felt like the author strayed a bit afield with the investigation and trial (by that I just mean that he turned his attention away from the Lindberghs and focused heavily on the players of the investigation) but those are minor flaws

[Hank Pharis · Rating 3 out of 5]

(NOTE: I'm stingy with stars. For me 2 stars means a good book or a B. 3 stars means a very good book or a B+. 4 stars means an outstanding book or an A {only about 5% of the books I read merit 4 stars}. 5 stars means an all time favorite or an A+ {Only one of 400 or 500 books rates this!).

There were many twists and turns in the lives of the Lindberghs, especially in relationship to their babies kidnapping. Theirs is a very interesting story.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

Charles Lindbergh was an interesting man. And the woman he was married to for 45 years was quite unique in her way. But this is not a great book. The author provides a ton of information but at times it is difficult to follow.

The book could use a through editing because there are many typos (must have been rushed to print).

The author only provides a cursory section of Lindbergh's historic flight which was disappointing. I'm assuming she feels that other writers have covered this subject including Lindbergh in "Spirit of St. Louis". I guess I'll need to read that if I can find it.

I can only recommend this book if you are of the mind that you will read anything if its about your hero, Charles Lindbergh. Or you are really interested in the kidnapping. This section is where she really delves into a lot of details.

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is a good read. The early part about the life of Charles Lindbergh I found most interesting. However, I think the author failed to understand his later life.

This book was written before Berg's authorized biography and while Anne Morrow Lindbergh was still alive. The book did not seem to provide a full picture of the marriage of Anne and Charles Lindbergh and give all the reasons why the marriage failed and I think it is because Anne Lindbergh was still alive when the book was written.

The book still left me with a lot of questions about how pro-Nazi Lindbergh was. The author of this book feels that Hauptman was the kidnapper of the Lindbergh baby. I confess that part of the reason I got this book is that someone told me they saw a recent PBS show where the theory was the Lindbergh was involved in the kidnapping.

[Michael Harris · Rating 3 out of 5]

APL Recycled Reads find. I have read the books written by Charles Lindbergh, other biographies and the Biography of Anne Morrow Lindbergh and found this well written but without any new information about this couple who were interesting and flawed individuals. The author did a good job covering all of the key periods in their life without bringing in any bias, a tough job given the subjects. It was a slow read but I'm glad I read it and now am done with Lindberghs.

[Deborah Escobar · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a great deal about the Lindbergh's and the kidnapping, which I did not know prior to reading this book. Charles Lindbergh was a really complicated human - part hero, but like all humans also very flawed...but the book really makes you understand his life and what made him what he was.
I felt for Ann Lindbergh, can't imagine what it was like to lose a child in this way. It's amazing that she went on with her life, amazing they both still accomplished a great deal.

[Kynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lengthy story about Charles and Anne Morrow Lindbergh. This book reflects on the times and beginnings of the JP Morgan banking corp., the kidnapping 'truth' of baby Charles Jr. and the realities of unwanted fame in a young America. I found myself sympathizing with Charles in most of his beliefs and feeling Anne not having the freedom necessary to be more creative.

[Mzfitted · Rating 3 out of 5]

Details Details

This book begins with the Story of Charles Lindbergh parents and cover Anne Morrow Lindbergh Family then goes on to thoroughly cover their lives with not too much taken up by just the kidnapping. I found it interesting but bogged down at times with minutia of certain events.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good but somewhat long biography of the Lindberghs. I'd certainly recommend it to people who really like history books. One thing that drives me a little crazy is that are still open questions about the kidnapping that will most likely never be answered, but that's certainly not the author's fault.

[Bill Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written too soon

An interesting read and worth the time. The biggest shortcoming, and it is huge, is that it was written before the discovery of Lindbergh's "secret" families in Europe. That would certainly have changed the narrative and the dynamics of the marriage.

[Megan]

June 24, 2005: re-started

[Rick Wormwood · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book isn't as indispensable on Charles as Berg's biography, but the shared focus on Anne sets it apart. An excellent book.

[Melissa McKay · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an easy and quick read. It gave good insights into the feelings of the country during their lives and expeditions. However, it glossed over some of their more troubling issues as a couple.

[Martha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not enough new material..engaging but not worth reading if you've read a lot about them already

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read as far as I went, but it certainly bogged down about 3/4 way through. At some future time will probably give the last 1/4 a try.

[Linda Finger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I too had a difficult time getting into the book. Have read many others since starting and finally just gave up, and I always finish a book. I will try again.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such sadness in the lives of Charles & Anne Morrow Lindbergh. In spite of the sadness, it's still a good read for anyone.

[Pauline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book. Interesting the unconventional life they led. Great sadness regarding kidnapping.

[Misty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A long time coming

a great resource for some one interested in the history of aviation industry and political influence along with personal stories of grief and loss.

[Evelyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A case of fame and fortune coming too easily? While an extremely interesting and attractive couple, they lacked a central guiding light for their life.

[Anne Schell · Rating 2 out of 5]

History of everybody makes itcponfusing

Pictures felt physically weighed down by this book. The year jumping made it hard to follow as the the entire history of everyone

[Elen Porter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Educational but a slow read

Long biography yet educational. The kidnapping and murder of CA Junior was well worth reading about. Great vacation reading. Well written.