- Published: 12 June 2025
- ISBN: 9781529947274
- Imprint: Vintage Digital
- Format: Audio Download
- RRP: $55.00
The Big Hop
The First Non-stop Flight Across the Atlantic and Into the Future
- Published: 12 June 2025
- ISBN: 9781529947274
- Imprint: Vintage Digital
- Format: Audio Download
- RRP: $55.00
Praise for David Rooney: 'About Time is abundantly clever, with myriad fascinations on every page'
Simon Winchester, New York Times
'An utterly dazzling book'
Jerry Brotton, author of A History of the World in Twelve Maps
'Startlingly original'
Literary Review
'Fascinating ... it’s to Rooney’s credit that although he clearly knows a colossal amount about clocks, he wears his learning very lightly'
Dominic Sandbrook, Sunday Times
'A fascinating volume on what clocks say both to us and about us ... full of riches ... a valuable intellectual journey at a moment ripe for contemplation'
Michael O'Donnell, Wall Street Journal
'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
[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*