Falling Upwards: How We Took to the Air

Falling Upwards chronicles the early history of balloon flight in the late 18th and 19th centuries, with a focus on the pioneering aeronauts who risked their lives to conquer the skies. The narrative follows key figures like James Glaisher, Sophie Blanchard, and John Wise through their adventures and contributions to the field. The book examines how balloons transformed science, warfare, and exploration during this period through firsthand accounts and historical records. It tracks the evolution of balloon technology from early hot air experiments to sophisticated gas-filled vessels capable of reaching unprecedented altitudes. Military applications of balloons during the American Civil War and Franco-Prussian War demonstrate their impact on combat strategy and reconnaissance. The text also covers several polar expeditions that employed balloons in attempts to reach previously inaccessible regions. This history of ballooning serves as a lens to explore human courage, scientific progress, and our eternal drive to transcend earthly limitations. The cultural and technological developments surrounding early flight reveal how innovations often arise from a combination of practical needs and pure human aspiration.

Readers found the book engaging when focused on specific balloon adventures and personalities but noted it can meander between topics. Many appreciated the depth of research and vivid accounts of early aviation pioneers, particularly James Glaisher's near-death ascent and Sophie Blanchard's flights. Likes: - Detailed historical research - Compelling personal stories - Connection between ballooning and literature - Period illustrations and photographs Dislikes: - Disorganized structure - Too many tangential stories - Uneven pacing - Technical details can overwhelm casual readers One reader noted: "Holmes brings these forgotten aeronauts back to life, but sometimes gets lost in minutiae." Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (1,200+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (180+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.9/5 (90+ ratings) Professional reviewers praised the historical research but critiqued the book's wandering narrative style. The Wall Street Journal called it "rich in biographical portraits but occasionally unfocused."

The Wright Brothers by David McCullough This historical account chronicles the lives of Wilbur and Orville Wright through letters, diaries, and photographs to reveal the development of powered flight.

Empires of the Sky by Alexander Rose The book documents the contest between airships and airplanes through the stories of Count von Zeppelin, Hugo Eckener, Juan Trippe, and their flying machines.

The Age of Wonder by Richard Holmes This work connects scientific discovery with romantic sensibilities through interconnected narratives of astronomers, chemists, and explorers in the late 1700s.

Carrying the Fire by Michael Collins The Apollo 11 astronaut provides a first-hand account of space exploration and the technical challenges of early space flight.

Into the Planet by Jill Heinerth The memoir presents cave diving expeditions through underwater passages while documenting the technical aspects of exploration equipment and procedures.

🎈 During the American Civil War, both Union and Confederate forces used hydrogen balloons for aerial reconnaissance, marking one of the first uses of air power in warfare. 🎈 Author Richard Holmes spent more than 40 years researching the history of ballooning, including experiencing several balloon flights himself to better understand his subject matter. 🎈 In 1785, Jean-Pierre Blanchard and Dr. John Jeffries became the first to cross the English Channel by air, though they had to strip nearly naked and throw most of their equipment overboard to stay airborne. 🎈 The book's title "Falling Upwards" comes from early aeronauts' discovery that different air currents flow in opposite directions at different altitudes, allowing skilled pilots to navigate by changing elevation. 🎈 Sophie Blanchard, the first professional female balloonist, performed for Napoleon Bonaparte and was appointed "Official Aeronaut of the Restoration" before dying tragically in a balloon accident in 1819.