The Rocket Man is a compendium of the crazy and courageous exploits of a motley crew of aeronautic pioneers. From mismatched air-ballooning couples to World War One flying aces via brave barnstormers, stealth fighters, the original rocket man and Howard Hughes, David Darling gleefully narrates the lives (and, fairly frequently, deaths) of those peculiar characters who have shaped the development of aviation from its inception right through to the present day. The book is full of larger-than-life tales that will frequently have you questioning whether the person being discussed is extraordinarily brave or extraordinarily crazed and Darling’s narrative whizzes along at Mach 3 speed. While many of the people being discussed are still justifiably famous today for their exploits and misadventures, some of those included (such as balloonist favourite of Napoleon, Sophie Blanchard, pinstripe-suited pilot Lincoln Beachey or Black Ace Raymond Collishaw) are far more obscure now and so Darling has done an excellent job of restating their place in the history of aviation. The Rocket Man is a fascinating book full of little-known facts and outlandish tales of derring-do; it’s a riveting read and is highly recommended.

This is a fascinating book on the men who,either through the need to explore and improve the means and safety of flight or just plain bonkersness attempted to try their hand at building and flying various contraptions. If it wasn't for these pioneers we wouldn't be flying today and our world would be a much smaller place. Reading this has made me want to do something adventurous but a bit less dangerous!

Full of brave, idiotic, adventurous, crazy aviators of all kinds, without some of whom you ultimately wouldn't be able to have that 50p flight to Ibiza for your hols. In an age where footballers can be 'heroic' and x-Factor contestants have had an 'incredible journey' just by doing a bit of karaoke on tv, the exploits of these pioneer aviators in this fabulously enetertaing book remind you what bravery and adventure really is. Written in a lively, entertaining style, I really loved this book.

From ballooning to base jumping, David Darling explores some of the most amazing aeronautical exploits in the history of flight. Whether you have a previous interest in this subject or not, the different chapters race through such wonderful and fantastical stories that it is hard not to be impressed and captured by the many astonishing characters. Darling's style is refreshingly stylish, engaging and humorous (on a subject that could easily become dry) making it a fun and very readable book.