Throw Out Two Hands

To float over the great continent of Africa in a balloon, to observe the massive herds of wild life below, to explore the uses of such a superb vantage point, was the dream, but the stuff that dreams are made of rarely resembles reality. Travel by balloon has the perfection of complete silence and a sense of involvement in the atmosphere in which the balloonist rides, while the African land mass, with its huge lakes and forests, and thousands upon thousands of big game, was plainly the supreme region for such an adventure.

( ... ) The author and his companions realized their dreams - but only just. Hazards hit them with fearful regularity. Ropes snapped, thunderclouds loomed, storms blew, sudden downpours came with their renowned African swiftness.

( ... ) This book is packed with anecdotes and excitement, with a strong affection for the animals and the land they live in, with all the joys and perils of resuscitating " that superb creation of man's inventiveness - the balloon ",... ( ... )