Subject
Aeronautics -- Fiction Books
Best books
Guy Thorne
The Air Pirate
"The Air Pirate" by Guy Thorne is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story revolves around Sir John Custance, the Chief Commissioner of Air Police for Great Britain, as he grapples with a series of audacious air pirate attacks threatening civilian airliners. As he faces this new wave of crime, the narrative explores themes of duty, courage, and love, particularly through his relationship with a famous actress, Constance Shepherd, who becomes entangled in the conflict. The opening of the novel introduces Sir John Custance just before a critical journey to Plymouth, where he is summoned to address a pressing matter involving a recent air pirate incident. As he travels to meet Constance, who is set to travel to America via air-liner, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation and underlying tension. The reader is gradually exposed to the severity of the air piracy issue facing the world, culminating when the situation escalates dramatically with the pirating of the "Atlantis", a transatlantic air-liner, during which Constance is reported missing. Sir John’s mix of personal and professional challenges sets the stage for a gripping adventure filled with intrigue and high stakes.
Rudyard Kipling
With the Night Mail: A Story of 2000 A.D. (Together with extracts from the comtemporary magazine in which it appeared)
"With the Night Mail: A Story of 2000 A.D." by Rudyard Kipling is a science fiction novella published in 1905. Set in the early 21st century, the story follows a postal worker on a night airship run to Quebec aboard Postal Packet 162. The crew encounters a failing vessel, navigates a violent storm, and witnesses a dramatic rescue operation—all under the watchful coordination of the Aerial Board of Control, a supranational organization managing global airship traffic. This pioneering tale remarkably anticipated modern air-traffic control and influenced generations of science fiction writers.
Jules Verne
Robur the Conqueror
"Robur the Conqueror" by Jules Verne is a science fiction novel published in 1886. When mysterious lights and flags appear worldwide atop famous landmarks, a brilliant inventor named Robur disrupts a flight enthusiasts' club meeting in Philadelphia. He kidnaps the president, secretary, and valet aboard his revolutionary flying machine, the Albatross, to prove the superiority of heavier-than-air flight. Their globe-spanning journey sparks conflict between technological progress and stubborn pride, leading to dramatic confrontations in the skies.
Bertha von Suttner
When Thoughts Will Soar: A romance of the immediate future
"When Thoughts Will Soar: A Romance of the Immediate Future" by Baroness Bertha von Suttner is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story centers around Franka Garlett, a young woman who grapples with loss and the complexities of her uncertain future following the death of her father. As she navigates her new life among strangers, she confronts societal expectations, the pursuit of love, and her inherited legacy. The opening of the novel introduces readers to Mr. John A. Toker, an affluent American contemplating a grand plan sparked by developments in aeronautics and the implications of technology on society, which foreshadows key themes of the book. Following this, we meet Franka, who mourns the untimely death of her father, a professor, and struggles with loneliness in their modest home. Her past is steeped in academic pursuits and deep emotional bonds, but the realization of her plight prompts her search for work to sustain herself. The narrative then depicts her encounters with various individuals, including Baron Ludwig Malhof, whose unsettling intentions lead Franka to assert her independence and morals amid an array of societal challenges. This sets the stage for Franka's journey towards self-identity, resistance against oppressive norms, and her quest for love and belonging amidst the changing world around her.
Jules Verne
Robur, o Conquistador
"Robur, o Conquistador" by Jules Verne is a science fiction novel published in 1886. When mysterious lights, sounds, and black flags appear worldwide atop famous landmarks, the enigmatic inventor Robur crashes a Philadelphia flight club meeting to challenge their beliefs about aviation. After kidnapping the club's leaders aboard his revolutionary flying machine, the Albatross, he takes them on a globe-spanning journey to prove the superiority of heavier-than-air flight, sparking a dramatic conflict over the future of human aviation.
Jules Verne
Robur-le-conquérant
"Robur-le-conquérant" by Jules Verne is a science fiction novel published in 1886. When mysterious lights and flags appear atop world landmarks, brilliant inventor Robur disrupts a Philadelphia aeronautics club meeting to proclaim "heavier than air" flight superior to balloons. He kidnaps the club's president, secretary, and valet aboard his remarkable flying ship, the Albatross, forcing them on a three-week journey around the world. His captives plot escape and revenge, but Robur's mastery of the skies proves formidable.
Edmond Hamilton
Cities in the air
"Cities in the Air" by Edmond Hamilton is a science fiction novel written in the late 1920s." The story delves into a future where humanity has constructed massive airborne cities, and it revolves around Captain Martin Brant, who leads an air expedition into battle against the vast European and Asiatic Federation fleets. As tensions rise with the impending threat of war, the narrative unfolds against the backdrop of advanced aerial technology and the strategic importance of these floating cities. "The opening of the novel introduces readers to Captain Martin Brant aboard the American Federation Air-Cruiser 3885, who receives alarming news about an imminent attack from the European and Asiatic Federations." As Brant and his crew race against time, they prepare for war, with New York as their destination. The narrative sets the stage for high-stakes aerial battles, highlighting the grandeur of the airborne cities and the advanced technology powering them. As they near New York, Brant reflects on the dramatic transformation of society, where the earth lies mostly unpopulated beneath the flying metropolises, hinting at the intense conflict ahead. The stage is set for an epic struggle for survival in a world defined by its aerial advancements.
Unknown
Masterpieces of Adventure—Stories of the Sea and Sky
"Masterpieces of Adventure—Stories of the Sea and Sky" edited by Nella Braddy is a collection of adventure stories written in the early 20th century. This compilation celebrates tales filled with exploration and the human experience of adventure, particularly centered around the sea and the sky, incorporating themes of love, life, and death. The collection features various narratives from notable authors that exemplify thrilling escapades and the mystical aspects of nature. The opening of this anthology introduces the first story titled "The Ship that Saw a Ghost" by Frank Norris. The narrative begins aboard the beleaguered tramp steam-freighter "Glarus", which is rumored to have seen something supernatural. The protagonist, who remains unnamed, reflects on the ship’s dubious past filled with scandal and misfortune and the impending sense of foreboding that surrounds its current journey. As the crew navigates distant waters, they confront not only their isolation but the unsettling feeling that they are being watched, building an atmosphere of tension and mystery that sets the tone for the unfolding adventure.
Kenneth Latour
The last crash
"The Last Crash" by Kenneth Latour is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story offers a unique blend of aviation drama infused with a mystic perspective on fate, delving into the lives of aviators and their complex relationships with flying and each other. The main character, Billy Cobb, is a dedicated pilot whose profession is steeped in danger and philosophy, particularly surrounding the idea of fate and the inevitability of 'the last crash.' At the start of the narrative, we meet John Norris, who reflects on his close friend Billy Cobb, exploring themes of fatalism tied to the perils of aviation. The opening sets the scene for a tragic event—a crash involving Cobb that leaves him injured and blind, but not without a significant revelation as he smiles and speaks to someone who is not there, suggesting a deeper connection beyond life and death. As the story unfolds, we learn of Cobb's profound devotion to aviation and his love for Jennie, a connection that becomes tangled with his fear of the air's capriciousness. Their relationship illustrates the tension between personal love and professional duty, establishing a poignant exploration of the fear that accompanies the thrill of flight.
Joe Gibson
The Machine That Floats
"The Machine That Floats" by Joe Gibson is a science fiction novel likely written in the mid-20th century. The story revolves around Bill Morrow, an inventive engineer who discovers a mechanism capable of controlling gravity and lifting objects into the air. As he grapples with the implications of his revolutionary invention, Morrow must decide whether to share it with the authorities or keep it hidden to prevent potential catastrophic consequences. The opening of the novel introduces Bill Morrow in his workshop, where he successfully tests his gravity-controlling device, affectionately dubbed the "gravitor." As excitement builds, Morrow reflects on the repercussions of his invention, fearing it could escalate global tensions during the Cold War. Additionally, Morrow's inner conflict emerges as he considers the potential benefits for humanity against the threat of military exploitation. Despite the burdens of responsibility weighing on him, he seeks a way to protect both his discovery and himself while longing for companionship, especially from his friend Gwyn. The complex interplay of personal sacrifice and monumental discovery sets the stage for Morrow's journey ahead.
Edgar Jepson
The Admirable Tinker Child of the World
"The Admirable Tinker" by Edgar Jepson is a novel written in the early 20th century. The story focuses on Sir Tancred Beauleigh, who embarks on a quest to find his missing son, Hildebrand Anne, affectionately called Tinker. This narrative promises a blend of adventure, family drama, and social commentary as it explores the challenges faced by the main character in his pursuit of both personal and familial fulfillment. At the start of the book, we meet Sir Tancred at a hotel in London, where he has just reunited with a former acquaintance, Lord Crosland. Sir Tancred shares his melancholic tale of love, loss, and the search for his son, who has been lost to him due to the manipulations of his stepmother. The opening chapters reveal his determination to reclaim his son, who he suspects has been hidden away by those who wish to keep him from his father. As the story unfolds, the reader is introduced to Tinker, who undergoes a journey from neglect to eventual rescue, setting the stage for further developments in the father-son relationship and adventure.
Henry Tracey Coxwell
A knight of the air : $b or, The aerial rivals
"A Knight of the Air, or The Aerial Rivals" by Henry Tracey Coxwell is a novel likely written in the late 19th century. The story centers around Harry Goodall, an ambitious young aeronaut passionate about ballooning and aeronautics, who finds himself entangled in both scientific experimentation and mysterious intrigues. As Goodall prepares for important tests of his balloon and airship designs, he navigates not only the complexities of his inventions but also the dangers posed by shadowy figures who seem intent on thwarting his efforts. The opening of the novel introduces us to Mr. Harry Goodall, who is anxiously waiting for the arrival of a cab in Trafalgar Square, setting off a series of mysterious events. Observing two suspicious men looming nearby, Goodall becomes intrigued and somewhat paranoid about their intentions. Upon reaching the Crystal Palace, where he has set up his aeronautical experiments, he is further drawn into intrigue when a young lady named Miss Chain and her mother become involved. Combined with the potential threat from his uncle, who disapproves of his ballooning pursuits, and the arrival of antagonistic figures from his past, the stage is set for a story filled with adventure, romance, and the aspirations of early aviation.
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