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His Majesty's Airship

The Life and Tragic Death of the World's Largest Flying Machine
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( 1,376 ratings, 237 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
His Majesty's Airship by S.C. Gwynne explores the incredible story of the R101, one of Britain's most ambitious airships, and its ill-fated journey in 1930. The book delves into the technological and political drama surrounding its creation, offering a gripping account of this historical aviation tragedy.
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Format: Hardback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you are fascinated by historical adventures, military innovations, and the early days of aviation. It offers a gripping narrative on a lesser-known piece of history, blending meticulous research with compelling storytelling.

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The forgotten story of Britain’s own Hindenburg disaster.

The forgotten story of Britain’s own Hindenburg disaster.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

The rise and fall of the world’s largest airship.

The R101 was the ship of empire, meant to dazzle the world with her technological advancement and immense size. Faster than a plane, more luxurious than an ocean liner, the R101 would connect the furthest reaches of the British Empire. It was, however, not to be.

The spectacular crash of the British airship R101 in 1930 changed the world of aviation forever. While most people have heard of the fiery crash of the Hindenburg, a German ship that went down in New Jersey seven years later, the story of R101 – whose downfall killed many more people – has been largely forgotten. At the time, however, the outpouring of national grief in Britain was equalled only by what happened after the sinking of the Titanic.

In His Majesty’s Airship, S. C. Gwynne recounts the epic narrative of the ill-fated airship and her eccentric champion, Christopher Thomson. With characteristic verve, Gwynne paints a luminous portrait of interwar Britain and reanimates the intrepid world of early aviation.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

His Majesty’s Airship by S.C. Gwynne has received high praise for its captivating and dramatic storytelling. Reviewers commend the book for reading more like a thriller than a traditional history, with an intricately detailed account of the technological and personal ambitions of the airship era. Critics highlight the rich and immersive prose, which brings to life the grand, yet ultimately tragic, story of the R101. The book is lauded for its meticulous research and compelling portrayal of an age marked by visionary dreams and monumental failures.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780861547081

Publisher: Oneworld Publications

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 12 October 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Oneworld Publications

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 29.0mm

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 320

About the Author

S.C. ‘Sam’ Gwynne is the best-selling author of Empire of the Summer Moon and Rebel Yell. Originally an award-winning investigative journalist, he has written extensively for the New York Times, Washington Post, Time Magazine, Boston Globe and many more.

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