Mayday!

A History of Flight through its Martyrs, Oddballs and Daredevils

David Darling

$19.99

Paperback

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English

Oneworld Publications
22 October 2014

Industrialisation & industrial history; Military history; Aviation law; Impact of science & technology on society; Aircraft: general interest

The wonder of flight has long captured the human imagination. In this beguiling history – ranging from the first aircraft to astronauts and beyond – David Darling tells the stories of the true life adventurers whose wonder has translated into bizarre contraptions, magnificent achievements and, sometimes, startling folly. Discover outrageous attempts to fly like a bird and fall from the edge of space. Meet Napoleonic ballooniste Sophie Blanchard and her daredevil husband; the real 'X-Men' who flew the supersonic experimental 'X-planes' for the US Air Force; stuntman Lincoln Beachey, looping-the-loop in a pinstripe suit; and, of course, The Rocket Man himself: Yves Rossy, who in 2006 was the first person to cross the English Channel using a jet-pack. Eccentric and reckless, Darling's daring cast of dreamers is guaranteed to entertain and inspire.

By: David Darling
Imprint: Oneworld Publications
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 198mm, Width: 129mm, Spine: 16mm
Weight: 227g
ISBN: 9781780744094
ISBN 10: 1780744099
Pages: 224
Publication Date: 22 October 2014
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

David Darling is a science writer and astronomer. He is the author of many books, including the bestselling Equations of Eternity, and the popular online resource The Worlds of David Darling. He lives in Dundee, Scotland.

Reviews for Mayday!: A History of Flight through its Martyrs, Oddballs and Daredevils

'Intriguing and entertaining'. * Daily Mail * Gripping... dazzling tales of madness and derring-do. * Brian Clegg, author of <i>Inflight Science</i> * A hugely enjoyable roller-coaster aerial ride in the company of oddballs and heroes, complete with acts of mindless msochism in the name of science. * Jonathan Clancy, author of <i>Spitfire: The Biography</i> * Impressive. * Wall Street Journal * A mix of good old-fashioned silliness and some fine science writing. * BBC Focus *