Man Who Fell from the Sky: 2the True Story Gaudy Life Bizarre Demise 20's Tycoon Alfred Loewenstein Mod

by William Norris

Book Overview

How a multi-millionaire vanished into thin air.Captain Alfred Loewenstein was known as many things during his glamorous and gaudy life. Companion of the Bath, friend of kings, an aviator and... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0670813699
• ISBN13: 9780670813698
• Release Date: April 1987
• Publisher: Viking Books
• Length: 262 Pages
• Weight: 1.45 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A Locked-Room "Whodunit" in the Sky

This is an account of Alfred Loewenstein, a 1920's-era tycoon who was involved in many high-stakes business dealings. In 1928, while flying over the English Channel from England to Brussels, he "accidentally" fell out of his airplane while using the restroom. His body was recovered several weeks later and he was buried in an unmarked grave, and the world went on. The author does some research and establishes that it is very unlikely that Loewenstein could have "accidentally" fallen out the door of the plane. Even if he had intended to commit suicide, it would have taken superhuman effort to force open the door in order to get outside, due to wind resistance. The author examines a museum exhibit of the plane, interviews people who flew it, reconstructs Loewenstein's business dealings, interviews people with memories of the time, and develops a theory about how and why Loewenstein really fell from the plane. The author does not have all the answers but leaves the verdict to the reader, or perhaps to future researchers. Certainly he has raised "reasonable doubt" about the "accident" conclusion. Since most of the people involved have taken the secret to their graves, the truth will probably never be known. But this book is a fascinating glimpse into the social strata of the moneyed class of the 1920's just before the stock market crash. I also feel that the author did not mention another very plausible way for the act to have occurred - if the pilot had momentarily rotated the plane onto its left side, Loewenstein would have simply dropped down from the lavatory through the door, like a bomb from a bomb rack.

Great Book! 1920's High Society, High Finance, ..

..Aviation History, and a very mysterious flying death 4000 feet over the English Channel on July 4, 1928. The author researches this strange death, the history of the times, some incredible stock market wheeling and dealing, and the personality and activities of Alfred Lowenstein. A great ride that opens up a mysterious case, and some speculative "who done it" answers. I think it was an accident, but this is a great ride with the author that you'll be glad you read!