PRIZES to win! PROMOTIONS
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.'
'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 * 'Startlingly original' * 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* * Praise for David Rooney: 'About Time is abundantly clever, with myriad fascinations on every page' * Simon Winchester, New York Times *
