Book description
Excerpt from Wonderful Balloon Ascents, or the Conquest of the Skies: A History of Balloons and Balloon Voyages
Maréchal Villeroi, an octogenarian and an invalid, was conducted to one of the windows of the Tuileries, almost. By force, for he did not believe in balloons. The balloon, meanwhile, detached itself…
- Coming soon!
Why read it?
1 author picked Wonderful Balloon Ascents, or the Conquest of the Skies as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
I love the gossipy tone of Fulgence Marion’s 1870 tribute to aeronautical history and its heroes. It’s a lofty enterprise (anchored to the authorial “we”) but somehow feels intimate or even snarky at times, as if the author managed to be on hand for each ascent. You can almost imagine him peering over the shoulder of the aeronauts, explaining or challenging the flight “science” all the way. Wikipedia notes that Marion was the pen name of French astronomer and science fiction writer Camille Flammarion, a contemporary of Jules Vernes, which makes sense, but I can’t confirm it, so let’s just…
From Deborah's list on being lighter than air and above it all.
If you love Wonderful Balloon Ascents, or the Conquest of the Skies...
December on 5C4
Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!
On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…
Want books like Wonderful Balloon Ascents, or the Conquest of the Skies?
Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 7 books like Wonderful Balloon Ascents, or the Conquest of the Skies.
Browse books like Wonderful Balloon Ascents, or the Conquest of the Skies
Share your top 3 reads of 2025!
And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.
1,299
readers submitted
so far, will you?
📚 If you like Wonderful Balloon Ascents, or the Conquest of the Skies, you might also like...
Courting the Sun
Can a free-spirited country girl navigate the world of intrigue, illicit affairs, and power-mongering that is the court of Louis XIV—the Sun King--and still keep her head?
France, 1670. Sixteen-year-old Sylvienne d’Aubert receives an invitation to attend the court of King Louis XIV. She eagerly accepts, unaware of her mother’s…
Whispers on the Wind
Wales between the wars, a place of poverty and a world full of anguish. Yet, there is hope. Within family, within community, and most of all in the brave heart of one young girl.
Set in the lush Dulais Valley; Carrie is fated to a life of hardship and sorrow,…
