First to Fly

“Parramore’s readable volume discusses balloons, airships, and airplanes and is a well-crafted, welcome addition that adds new perspective to both North Carolina and aviation history.” — North Carolina Historical Review

“Parramore catches the exuberance of the 'birdman' era of the years prior to WWI and does a good job of capturing the spirit of adventure that led many well-intentioned young men to join the Lafayette Escadrille during the Great War.” — CHOICE

“While First to Fly will certainly appeal to aviation buffs and devotees of North Carolina history, it is also a fascinating tale of American ingenuity, bravery, and determination.” — American History

“Parramore’s work is a delightful story of the place of North Carolina in the early days of flight. . . . Chock full of amusing anecdotes, this charming book is a must-read for students of early aviation and anyone who would like to know more about the history of aviation and technology in North Carolina.” — Historian

“A delight of Thomas C. Parramore’s First to Fly is its movement from one good story to another, its lack of aeronautical jargon, and its dependence on character and tale to offer engaging history. . . . First to Fly climbs high, lands smoothly, teaches us about ourselves. . . . Parramore has discovered a buried North Carolina aviation legacy.” — Clyde Edgerton, Raleigh News & Observer

“Parramore traces how dreams of flight became a reality in our state around the turn of the 20th century. . . . Thoroughly researched.” — Our State

“This remarkable local history begins not with Icarus, but with an Indian conjuror named Roncommock, who was reported to fly in Bertie County in the early 1700s. Parramore continues his eventful account of flight from 1700 till 1930 in his home state with dozens of lesser- and better-known figures and their generally lesser-known aeroplanes. Lots of photographs.” — Leonard E. Opdycke, publisher of WWI Aero and Skyways

“Parramore easily achieves his goal of convincing the reader that North Carolina and North Carolinians played a considerable role in the early history of flight.” — Thomas D. Crouch, Senior Curator, National Air and Space Museum

“Has an uncommon depth, fluidity, and fullness of thought that make[s] the book a joy to read.” — SpeedReaders.info