Description

A non-stop flight across the Atlantic might seem routine today. But it is only possible because of those who went first.

‘Vivid and compelling’ John Lancaster
‘A delectable serving of escapist nostalgia’ The Times, Book of the Week

Newfoundland, 1919. Buffeted by winds, an unwieldy aircraft – made mainly from wood and stiff linen – struggled to take off from the North American island’s rocky slopes. Cramped side by side in its open cockpit were two men, freezing cold and barely able to move, 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, and as the waves raged a few miles below, memories of wartime crashes resurfaced . . .

Mining letters, diaries and evocative unpublished photographs, David Rooney’s deeply researched account of this audacious contest shows how it was the airmen’s thrilling wartime experiences that ultimately led them to the ‘Big Hop’, and brought old friends together for one more daring adventure.

‘Excellent… consists of colourful biographical sketches of the aviators who took part in the competition and thrilling accounts of their efforts’ Daily Mail

‘A glorious romp through an overlooked part of aviation history, stuffed full of intriguing characters and white-knuckle courage’ Sunday Times

Publisher Review

‘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 * ‘Rooney’s description of the crossing has all the panache of a Boy’s Own story’ * History Today *