The Big Hop
The First Non-stop Flight Across the Atlantic and Into the Future
Published on 12. June 2025
Book
Hardback
336 pages
978-1-78474-508-0 (ISBN)
Description
A non-stop flight across the Atlantic might seem routine today. But it is only possible because of those who went first.
'Capturing not only the perils faced by the intrepid airmen who attempted the flight, but also their humanity' JOHN LANCASTER, author of The Great Air Race
Newfoundland, 1919. Buffeted by winds, an unwieldy aircraft struggled to take to the air. Cramped side by side in its open cockpit were two men, freezing cold, but resolute. They had a dream: to be the first in human history to fly, non-stop, across the Atlantic Ocean. But there were three other teams competing against them . . .
The young aviators who would get off the ground had already defied death many times during World War One. David Rooney's evocative and deeply researched account shows how it was their thrilling wartime experiences that ultimately led them to the 'Big Hop', and brought old friends together for one more daring adventure.
These Atlantic pioneers weren't scientists or upper-class officers. They were ordinary men, risking their lives in the name of progress, who ultimately ushered in the age of global connection in which we live now.
'Fabulous ... Works on every level, balancing technological know-how with superb characterisation' JACKY HYAMS, author of Hurricane: The Plane that Won the War
'Capturing not only the perils faced by the intrepid airmen who attempted the flight, but also their humanity' JOHN LANCASTER, author of The Great Air Race
Newfoundland, 1919. Buffeted by winds, an unwieldy aircraft struggled to take to the air. Cramped side by side in its open cockpit were two men, freezing cold, but resolute. They had a dream: to be the first in human history to fly, non-stop, across the Atlantic Ocean. But there were three other teams competing against them . . .
The young aviators who would get off the ground had already defied death many times during World War One. David Rooney's evocative and deeply researched account shows how it was their thrilling wartime experiences that ultimately led them to the 'Big Hop', and brought old friends together for one more daring adventure.
These Atlantic pioneers weren't scientists or upper-class officers. They were ordinary men, risking their lives in the name of progress, who ultimately ushered in the age of global connection in which we live now.
'Fabulous ... Works on every level, balancing technological know-how with superb characterisation' JACKY HYAMS, author of Hurricane: The Plane that Won the War
Reviews / Votes
'One of the most astonishing moments in aviation history finally gets its due in The Big Hop, a vivid and utterly compelling account of the 1919 contest to cross the Atlantic by plane. David Rooney is an expert storyteller with a big heart, capturing not only the perils faced by the intrepid airmen who attempted the flight, but also their humanity' * John Lancaster, author of The Great Air Race * 'The Big Hop is a fabulous book. It works on every level, balancing technological know-how with superb characterisation. A gripping read.' * Jacky Hyams, author of Hurricane * 'Enchanting ... Blends biography and scientific history in nimble measure. ... [A] very fine book' * Unseen Histories * "I haven't been so under the spell of a book about dangerous journeys since reading David Grann's spectacular The Wager ... Rooney comes into his own as a master of suspense ... a sure-footed combination of technical detail, lively characterisation and artful narrative structure that keeps the tension going until the final pages ... a splendid book' -- Miranda Seymour * Literary Review * [An] excellent book...[The Big Hop] consists of colourful biographical sketches of the aviators who took part in the competition and thrilling accounts of their efforts * Daily Mail * The Big Hop is a delectable serving of escapist nostalgia, a heroic adventure story perfect for a time when genuine heroes are few... [a] wonderful book... [and] a joy to read * The Times, *Book of the Week* * Rooney's previous book was also nonfiction, but The Big Hop reminded me of a John Buchan novel. Rooney has Buchan's knack for acute imagery and for spare, compelling action scenes... There may be some risk of air sickness reading Rooney- but there is no danger of boredom * Observer * The Big Hop brings some unsung heroes to centre stage... recounted by Rooney with page-turning panache * Times Literary Supplement * The Big Hop is a glorious romp through an overlooked part of aviation history, stuffed full of intriguing characters and white-knuckle courage * Sunday Times, *Summer Reads of 2025* * 'Riveting ... The Big Hop restores the 1919 achievement of those two young men, Alcock and Brown, to their rightful place in aviation history' * Wall Street Journal *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Vintage Publishing
Target group
Professional and scholarly
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 162 mm
Width: 242 mm
Thickness: 32 mm
Weight
534 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-78474-508-0 (9781784745080)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
David Rooney
The Big Hop
The first flight across the Atlantic and the ordinary heroes who risked their lives for it
Book
06/2026
Vintage
€16.50
Available immediately
Book
06/2025
CHATTO & WINDUS
€19.00
Available immediately
E-Book
06/2025
Vintage Digital
€10.99
Available for download
Person
David Rooney is a historian and museum curator. Born in north-east England, he moved to London in 1995 to take a traineeship at the Science Museum, where he first encountered the aeroplane that completed the Big Hop in 1919. Over an almost thirty-year career, David has curated timekeeping, transport and engineering collections at institutions from the National Maritime Museum to the Science Museum, bringing historical stories vividly alive. He is the author of About Time: A History of Civilization in Twelve Clocks (2021), which has been translated into eleven languages.
About The Big Hop, David says: 'It is 30 years since I first walked beneath the canvas wings of an ungainly biplane and wondered what must have possessed two young men to fly it across the Atlantic. Writing this book is my way of paying tribute to the pioneers of aviation - men and women from all walks of life - who risked everything: for freedom, for progress, and for us.'
About The Big Hop, David says: 'It is 30 years since I first walked beneath the canvas wings of an ungainly biplane and wondered what must have possessed two young men to fly it across the Atlantic. Writing this book is my way of paying tribute to the pioneers of aviation - men and women from all walks of life - who risked everything: for freedom, for progress, and for us.'