Reach For the Skies - Ballooning, Birdmen and Blasting into Space,
by Richard Branson,
Random House, $42.99
If the title of Branson's latest book reminds you of Sir Douglas Bader's biography, that's deliberate. Branson knew Sir Douglas, respected his fighting spirit, and grew up to admire others who weren't afraid to try
something most people thought impossible.
This is a book of stories about men, and one or two women, who have either achieved aviation success or made an extremely good attempt.
Sir Richard is no literary genius. He doesn't pretend to be, but he can tell a good tale.
On the back cover he admits this is partly his own story as a balloonist and aviation buff, and certainly there's a lot of Branson comment which could be irritating if he's not your favourite person.
However, there are lots of amazing stories about historical figures and inventions, from the hang-gliders of 4th-century China to Virgin Galactic's proposed space flight.
To answer anyone who believes messing about in planes is carbon-wasteful, Branson says the aviation industry "generates only 2 per cent of all industrial emissions", and that's half the amount produced by information technology'. Photos and line drawings illustrate Reach and there are end-notes, a bibliography and an index.
A great read for anyone who likes aviation, history, or just adventure.
