This book contains extensive, outstanding research into early aviation history, focusing on the largest aircraft at the time, the British-built R101. It crashed into hydrogen-fueled flames on November 1930. It was considered a symbol of the future of air travel and ended the British dream of airships carrying large numbers of commercial passengers in luxury over large distances.

The plan was to unite the widespread countries in the British Empire quickly and easily, shortening the time to reach India, Canada, Egypt, Australia, and South Africa. This was the ambitious scheme of Lord C. Thompson, who rushed the R101 to its completion against objections that more time was needed. Many around him downplayed any delay in his deadline for a flight to India. More time was required for improved technology, ongoing repairs, and test runs in bad weather. Thompson insisted the airship was ready and safe. It was overloaded with cargo and fuel, explosive hydrogen was contained in bags made from cow's intestines that sprang leaks when rubbed against the metal supports, and the outer cover of linen tended to rip easily. Instead of testing in wind and rain storms, VIPs were taken for short test rides to gain their enthusiastic support. Thompson even suggested taking 100 MPs up for a flight.

Descriptions of the weights, measures, and technology involved make this book of particular interest to those wanting to know more about the history of early flight. With all the research that went into its writing, I wished that illustrations had been included. It would have been enhanced for the ordinary reader by adding diagrams, photos of the interior of the R101, and pictures of the fascinating characters involved. I was surprised and pleased to see how much was available online. Photos of the airship's interior reminded me of a luxury cruise ship or hotel. It consisted of two stories, a stylish dining room with gourmet dining and plenty of liquor, a lounge, and a promenade deck with large windows, bathrooms, and sleeping quarters. There was even a smoking room which someone thought was a good idea. The spacious interior had an elegant appearance. This would have been a 5 Star read for me if some illustrations had been added. The extensive Bibliography lists numerous books, articles from magazines and newspapers, government documents and videos.

The flight of the British R101 crashed in France, killing 48 of the 56 on board, including Lord Thompson and a national hero, Herbert Scott, famous for making a double-crossing of the Atlantic in 1919 by airship and now a drunk who interfered by giving orders to superior officers. Lindbergh's Atlantic flight by plane wasn't until 1927. Aeroplanes were thought to be too small to have little commercial use. The tragedy of the deaths and destruction of the R101 ended the British vision of an airship industry, but the Germans had more experience and carried on for a few more years.

Germany used zeppelins to carry bombs during WW1. They were not greatly effective. The Germans even listed their lack of success in hitting British city targets. People said they must be aiming at crops and livestock. Since then, they vastly improved their airships; one had even circled the globe before the ill-fated British crash. With more extended experience and more significant technology, Germany now had the only rigid-framed airships travelling the skies, but not without problems. Its Hindenburg disaster in 1937 proved that the future of flying was with aeroplanes. The German Hindenburg is remembered today, but less is known about the British R101 crash, where more people died. Radio was in its infancy, and the video of the Hindenburg crashing in New Jersey still exists. This was the first live disaster broadcast, which has been shown many times.
I sincerely thank NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this remarkable history by S. C. Gwynne. Publication is due on May 2