“A map in the hands of a pilot is a testimony of a man's faith in other men; it is a symbol of confidence and trust. It is not like a printed page that bears mere words, ambiguous and artful, and whose most believing reader - even whose author, perhaps - must allow in his mind a recess for doubt. A map says to you, 'Read me carefully, follow me closely, doubt me not.' It says, 'I am the earth in the palm of your hand. Without me, you are alone and lost.”

“A map says to you.Read me carefully, follow me closely, doubt me not...I am the earth in the palm of your hand.”

“You read me so well without me ever having to say the words. It astounds me. Perhaps we were made for each other. You're making me a believer, my love.”

“Holding this book in your hand, sinking back in your soft armchair, you will say to yourself: perhaps it will amuse me. And after you have read this story of great misfortunes, you will no doubt dine well, blaming the author for your own insensitivity, accusing him of wild exaggeration and flights of fancy. But rest assured: this tragedy is not a fiction. All is true.”

“I am like a person whose hands were kept numb, without sensation from the first moment of awareness - until one day the ability to feel is forced into them. And I say "Look! I have no hands!" But the people all around me say: "What are hands?”

“He just put his hand through the bulkhead, exactly as she'd done, and squeezed my shoulder. He has very strong fingers.And he kept his hand there the whole way home, even when he was reading the map and giving me headings.So I am not flying alone now after all.”