The Aeronauts: Travels in the Air
About this audiobook
The true story behind the major motion picture—and one of the greatest daredevil stories in the history of aviation, with an introduction by Professor Liz Bentley, chief executive at the Royal Meteorological Society
In 1862, ambitious scientist James Glaisher set out to do the impossible: ascend higher into the skies than ever before. A pioneer of weather forecasting and of photography and a founding member of the Royal Meteorological Society, he wanted to take groundbreaking research measurements from different altitudes.
On September 5, along with experienced balloonist Henry Coxwell as his pilot, he lifted off in a hot air balloon for what would prove to be a death-defying and historic flight. Rising above the English countryside, they rose to the remarkable height of 37,000 feet (7 miles or 11km), almost killing both men, who experienced blurred vision, loss of motor function, and, eventually, unconsciousness. It was a miracle they survived to tell the tale.
Written in his own words, The Aeronauts chronicles Glaisher’s incredible flights and discoveries first hand, as well as his observations on those pioneers who came before and inspired him. His audaciously daring journey forms the story of the 2019 major motion picture The Aeronauts.
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About the author
James Glaisher (1809-1903) was an English meteorologist, aeronaut, and astronomer who worked at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich for forty-three years. He was a founding member of the Meteorological Society and the Aeronautical Society of Great Britain. He is most famous as a pioneering balloonist and his ascent on September 5, 1862 along with Henry Tracey Coxwell broke the world record for altitude.
AudioFile Earphones Award winner Antony Ferguson is a native of London, England. He is a classically trained actor and has appeared in numerous productions in London, Off-Broadway, and regional theater. As a voice actor, he has over fifty audiobooks to his credit and was recommended by the "All About Romance" Web site as one of the best male narrators at performing female characters. He lives in Los Angeles.
