Product Information
The daring flights of the early balloonists that were the first steps on mankind's upward journey to the Moon and beyond have been strangely neglected, and their names have been largely forgotten. This book helps to redress that situation. James Sadler was an extraordinary English pioneer who overcame many obstacles to achieve his dream of flying. Born the son of an Oxford pastry cook in 1753, he defied his lowly upbringing to become the first Englishman to build an air balloon. When not flying he applied himself to engine design and the medical uses of gases, and kept busy as a chemist to the Navy; he designed cannon praised by Nelson, firearms for the British East India Company and a prototype armoured car. At the age of fifty-seven, he returned to ballooning, after which he and his sons went on to set various records of speed, distance and altitude in a total of some 30 towns and cities in England, Ireland and Scotland. Against the vivid backdrop of Georgian England, Mark J. Davies delves into the complex life of this adventurer, exploring the ups and the downs of his amazing career, from his first ascent to his support of the first Englishwoman to fly, and his eventual death in poverty. Sadler's biography also encompasses the stories of his fellow aeronauts, be they courageous, inspired, risible or - occasionally - fatal. This fascinating account is a true homage to our national desire to reach for the skiesProduct Identifiers
PublisherAmberley Publishing
ISBN-139781445653082
eBay Product ID (ePID)233642444
Product Key Features
Book TitleKing of All Balloons: the Adventurous Life of James Sadler, the First English Aeronaut
AuthorMark Davies
FormatHardcover
LanguageEnglish
TopicHistory, Aircraft
Publication Year2015
TypeTextbook
Number of Pages320 Pages
Dimensions
Item Height234mm
Item Width156mm
Additional Product Features
Title_AuthorMark Davies
Country/Region of ManufactureUnited Kingdom