Chrigel Maurer’s autobiography Der Überflieger is an exciting and very personal journey through the life of one of the best paragliders in the world. In this book, the exceptional athlete provides a deep insight into his experiences, thoughts and the development of his impressive success. The book is written in simple language, which makes it accessible to a broad readership, and is of great interest to fans of flying and adventure-seekers in particular. The book is only in German available
Content focus
Chrigel takes the reader on a journey from his childhood to the present day. He impressively describes how he discovered his passion for flying and the role his inner drive and goals played in this. The book not only sheds light on technical and sporting aspects, but also explores deeper themes such as faith, dreams and mental strength, which are essential for a successful aviator.
A central theme is the adventure of flying itself – from planning and the feeling of taking off to the challenges associated with every flight. Chrigel talks openly about mistakes, disappointments and the highs he has experienced on his flights. He reflects on how important it is to continuously develop, train and constantly face new challenges – whether in competition or in his development as a person.
Personal insights
In addition to his experiences as a top athlete, Maurer also provides personal insights into his life as a father and reflects on how to reconcile his family and his ambition. He also talks openly about the challenges of ambition and selfishness that often play a role in high-performance sport. This makes the book interesting not only for paragliders, but also for readers who are concerned with topics such as self-realisation, motivation and the challenges of life.
Simple language and photos from life
The book is written in a very accessible and easy-to-understand language. It is therefore aimed not only at sports enthusiasts or experts, but also at general readers who simply want to find out more about the life of an extraordinary athlete. Another highlight of the book are the numerous photos from Chrigel’s life – from his first attempts at flying to major competitions and personal moments. These pictures give the book a very personal and authentic flavour.
Writing errors and points of criticism
Unfortunately, the book contains spelling mistakes and minor inaccuracies in some places, which can spoil the reading flow somewhat. Although these errors are not serious, they could have been corrected in the final version of the book to give an even more professional impression. Especially for a book written by such a successful athlete, readers would have expected a more conscientious review.
Voices of companions
The contributions from friends and companions such as Michael Maurer, Thomas Theurillat and Kari Eisenhut, who describe their view of Chrigel and his development as an aviator and person, are a particular attraction of the book. These voices offer valuable perspectives and allow the reader to see Chrigel from different angles. In particular, the reports from companions allow us to discover the human side of the “high-flyer” and to better understand his personal relationships and challenges.
Conclusion
Der Überflieger is a captivating and inspiring read for anyone interested in flying, adventure and personal development. Chrigel talks about his highs and lows, his victories and setbacks, and provides valuable insights into the life of a professional sportsman. Even if the book has minor flaws such as spelling mistakes, the strengths outweigh the weaknesses – especially the authentic narrative style and the personal insights. Anyone interested in the topics of mental strength, adventure and self-realisation will definitely get their money’s worth with this book.
Note: This review was created with the help of ChatGPT.
