Colonel Cody and the Flying Cathedral: The Adventures of the Cowboy Who Conquered the Sky

by Garry Jenkins

Examines the life of "Colonel" Samuel Cody, a quasi-conman who gained fame in Wild West shows before moving to England and becoming the first man in Great Britain to fly, using an airplane of his own invention dubbed "the Flying Cathedral."

276 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2000

Reviews

[Louis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book about a minor but entertaining figure from aviation history. Samuel Cody went from Wild West sharpshooter to British flying pioneer. This book details that journey in a short, enjoyable book.

[Cheryl Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm glad I read this biography of a man history has largely forgotten. His journey from a Midwestern nobody to master showman and cowboy to aviation pioneer is the kind of larger than life story that rarely happens these days. Despite spending the latter part of his life as a British citizen, Cody embodied what the America of the time was known for- he was bold, independent, thoroughly a self-made man, and maybe just a little too brash and reckless.

The book does a good job of laying out the facts and telling the story of his life while still painting a picture of Cody's character. We get to see some of the real man behind his public image. The fluctuating opinions of the general public are also explained, and it's easy to get caught up in the atmosphere of excitement that accompanied the birth of aviation in Britain.

[Howard Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story. I worked for his Grandson in Staines London.