Daffodil and Golden Eagle

Jonathan Yeatman

Amusingly and factually written to supplement its stunning photographs, the author describes the once-only journey of two hot-air balloons which floated across the Sahara during the months of January and February 1972. His vivid narrative captures the way of life in Arab Africa setting the scene for the first hot-air balloon flights over the desert. After several flights and a long trek across the desert the three balloonists broke the British altitude record for a hot-air balloon, climbing to a height of 19,458 feet over the unexplored Ténéré region. It was Jules Verne's book Five weeks in a Balloon', fictitious account of ballooning, which gave Felix Pole, the expedition's leader, the idea and inspiration for such a crazy but novel adventure. Anthony Smith who introduces the book needs no introduction himself, being the author of several ballooning and adventure books. He is also à renowned balloonist with many ascents to his credit.