The memories of Hugo Eckener are more than a testament to German aviation history. They describe history through the example of the short but exciting Zeppelin era. With scheduled flights to North and South America, Zeppelins established the myth of modern aviation and limitless travel in the first third of the 20th century. Spectacular expedition flights around the world and to the Arctic thrilled millions of people as daring pioneering feats. The driving force behind the achievements of airship travel was Dr. Hugo Eckener (1868-1954), who, as the successor to Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, coordinated technical development, tirelessly advocated for the airship concept, and personally commanded the most important flights of the airships ZR III, Graf Zeppelin, and Hindenburg. With the first transcontinental flight to New York in 1924, Hugo E. recognized...