Around the World in 20 Days: The Story of Our History-Making Balloon Flight

by Bertrand Piccard, Brian W. Jones, Brian Jones

Book Overview

"A roller-coaster adventure of emotional highs and lows." ? Library Journal Into the real thin air: The gripping story of the history-making around-the-world balloon flight as told by the pilots... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0471395374
• ISBN13: 9780471395379
• Release Date: September 2000
• Publisher: Wiley
• Length: 344 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 5.8" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

need in other languages

Love the book and the message behind it. Want to send to friends. Is there a French and also a German tranlation? will buy both.urgent reply requested

I had no idea.........

... as to what a great accomplishment it was to do this balloon trip. A good read that lets you share the experience .... no macho image, a honest written book about a extraordinary accomplishment.

I loved the book...

This book was THE BEST I have ever read! I finished it in just two days and it was GREAT

Wonderful armchair adventure of historic flight.

Aviators Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones toggle linear narratives of their around the world journey. There's lots of emphasis on what would appear like almost every altitude, groundspeed and directional change. Still, this is perhaps the most important element to success (the weather and catching the right winds aloft) and these frequent alternations between voice of Jones and Piccard keeps the reader consumed. Yes, it can be argued (as Piccard and Jones have to agree) that the two weather wizards at Breitling base in Geneva are just as much the heroes. Some pilot introspection, humor and color images make for the ideal armchair adventure. We are made to understand that great grandson of Jules Verne supported this endeavor (greatest integrity tie to simple love of flight) more than the other attempts (financiers and simply record seekers). As such, and from this pool, it's probably with the most pure love of flight from Jones and Piccard that we are priviledged to share in this fantastic journey.

Almost like going along

I'm writing this review having only read the first 112 pages of this fantastic real-life, just-yesterday-adventure ( I kinda know how it ends...), but the good feelings that I get from hearing the first hand account of Bertrand and Brian's epic balloon has sent me out finding copies to give to friends for the Holidays. Their down to earth ( no pun intended ) narrative, while maintaining a soaring spirit of adventure reminds me of stories from favorite teachers and mentors from my past. Open this book while in your favorite chair before a warm fire, and soon you'll feel as if they are sitting across from you telling the story themselves.