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The Balloonatics: A Tale of the Great War
Peter Naseby is enjoying a leisurely naval career when his ship runs down the Admiral in Command at Portsmouth. On his watch.
It is early 1915 and he had been looking forward to joining the Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow. Now he must accept a posting to obscurity or volunteer for hazardous duty. To save his career, he joins the Blimps of the Royal Naval Air Service – he becomes a Balloonatic.
Sat in a flimsy cockpit under 70,000 cubic feet of inflammable hydrogen with a crew of one, a Lewis Gun, and a single bomb, he potters out every day to chase submarines in the English Channel. Occasionally, he catches one.
Onshore, he juggles the demands of Josephine, a young English rose, and Charlie, much more of a hothouse flower, while he decides just what his future shall be.
It is early 1915 and he had been looking forward to joining the Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow. Now he must accept a posting to obscurity or volunteer for hazardous duty. To save his career, he joins the Blimps of the Royal Naval Air Service – he becomes a Balloonatic.
Sat in a flimsy cockpit under 70,000 cubic feet of inflammable hydrogen with a crew of one, a Lewis Gun, and a single bomb, he potters out every day to chase submarines in the English Channel. Occasionally, he catches one.
Onshore, he juggles the demands of Josephine, a young English rose, and Charlie, much more of a hothouse flower, while he decides just what his future shall be.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
250 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2021
About the author
Andrew Wareham
160 books143 followersBorn agricultural working class in Hampshire and passed the 11+, took a degree that included Economic History, a fascination ever since, taught for ten years, worked with the Police Force in Papua New Guinea for another ten, took a few contracts in the Middle East as well. In between I was a constituency chairman for the SDP, married happily for thirty years with a son and daughter, was widowed fourteen years ago.
I write first of all for me, for my pleasure. That other people seem to enjoy my books adds even more to that satisfaction.
Where I offer a fact, I believe it to be correct, and will be very happy to be told if I am wrong. Where, very frequently, I offer opinion or interpretation, then I generally think it to be not unreasonable, but...
Besides that, I live with my son and daughter, three St Bernards and a neurotic English Mastiff, I collect pressed glass and have a general interest in antiques.
I intend to keep writing. I very much hope people will keep reading.
I write first of all for me, for my pleasure. That other people seem to enjoy my books adds even more to that satisfaction.
Where I offer a fact, I believe it to be correct, and will be very happy to be told if I am wrong. Where, very frequently, I offer opinion or interpretation, then I generally think it to be not unreasonable, but...
Besides that, I live with my son and daughter, three St Bernards and a neurotic English Mastiff, I collect pressed glass and have a general interest in antiques.
I intend to keep writing. I very much hope people will keep reading.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 12, 2021
Great read
A page Turner telling the largely unknown tale of balloonists in the Great War. I interesting observations about a time when Britain was subject to much change, change that was not always welcome
A page Turner telling the largely unknown tale of balloonists in the Great War. I interesting observations about a time when Britain was subject to much change, change that was not always welcome
January 22, 2021
Another excellent story from Andrew Wareham. The characters and settings are so well described that you almost feel you are there, watching from the sidelines. The topic about the use of blimps as anti submarine patrols during WWI is fascinating. I have read quite a number of books about WWI both fact and fiction but I knew nothing of the RNAS’s use of the blimp. The commentary on the military and civil politics of the time and the changes the war brought to society are all well described.
January 12, 2021
Peter Naseby is enjoying a leisurely naval career when his ship runs down the Admiral in Command at Portsmouth. On his watch.
It is early 1915 and he had been looking forward to joining the Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow. Now he must accept a posting to obscurity or volunteer for hazardous duty. To save his career, he joins the Blimps of the Royal Naval Air Service – he becomes a Balloonatic.
Sat in a flimsy cockpit under 70,000 cubic feet of inflammable hydrogen with a crew of one, a Lewis Gun, and a single bomb, he potters out every day to chase submarines in the English Channel. Occasionally, he catches one.
Onshore, he juggles the demands of Josephine, a young English rose, and Charlie, much more of a hothouse flower, while he decides just what his future shall be.
It is early 1915 and he had been looking forward to joining the Grand Fleet at Scapa Flow. Now he must accept a posting to obscurity or volunteer for hazardous duty. To save his career, he joins the Blimps of the Royal Naval Air Service – he becomes a Balloonatic.
Sat in a flimsy cockpit under 70,000 cubic feet of inflammable hydrogen with a crew of one, a Lewis Gun, and a single bomb, he potters out every day to chase submarines in the English Channel. Occasionally, he catches one.
Onshore, he juggles the demands of Josephine, a young English rose, and Charlie, much more of a hothouse flower, while he decides just what his future shall be.
January 24, 2021
A great read.
Finally something about the Naval aviation of the Great War, and balloons.
I am constantly amazed at the authors research , character development, and good humor.
A really enjoyable read.
Finally something about the Naval aviation of the Great War, and balloons.
I am constantly amazed at the authors research , character development, and good humor.
A really enjoyable read.
January 28, 2022
A Kindle unlimited special, recommended due to, I believe, my earlier reading of the Harry Rose novels, a WWI RAF story, earlier in the year. This novel follows a young upper class english gent as he joins the military for king & country against the Hun in WWI. In spite of his family being steeped in the the command of navel capital ships, our man Alex finds himself "volunteered" for the balloon corps. Suffice to say, he acquits himself admirably, bloodies the nose of the Hun and gets the girl. Decent yarn, an entertaining read and an intersting look at british classism in the early 20th century.
February 22, 2021
Hapless hero succeeds against the odds
Time after time Peter Naseby’s ill luck is turned on it’s side by his unblinking realism, competence, commitment to duty, and refusal to give in to self pity.
This is also a story about the clash between Nelson’s Navy and the new realities of 20th century naval warfare. The British Navy is deeply conservative and change is both suspect and painful.
This is the first one-volume story I have read of Andrew Wareham and I enjoyed it very much.
Time after time Peter Naseby’s ill luck is turned on it’s side by his unblinking realism, competence, commitment to duty, and refusal to give in to self pity.
This is also a story about the clash between Nelson’s Navy and the new realities of 20th century naval warfare. The British Navy is deeply conservative and change is both suspect and painful.
This is the first one-volume story I have read of Andrew Wareham and I enjoyed it very much.
May 4, 2021
AN INTERESTING TALE OF HOW BLIMPS WERE USED WHEN AIRCRAFT WERE NOT READY IN ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE DURING WWI. GREAT CHARACTERS & POLITICS OF WAR
The Personal Stories help to shape the times & create more interest... Real Heroes & some villains, plus the critical challenge of The Submarines & exposure of the Blimp Crews. Romance in the period & during wartime adds spice.
Very realistic for the time. Maintains a good pace to hold interest. Very well written.
The Personal Stories help to shape the times & create more interest... Real Heroes & some villains, plus the critical challenge of The Submarines & exposure of the Blimp Crews. Romance in the period & during wartime adds spice.
Very realistic for the time. Maintains a good pace to hold interest. Very well written.
February 20, 2021
Interesting, Little-known W.W.I History
An historical novel: emphasis on the word "historical"--not much of a novel. Very little plot, not very imaginative, okay character development. As a fictional record of an obscure chapter in W.W.I history, I found it worth reading, but could not rate it higher than average.
An historical novel: emphasis on the word "historical"--not much of a novel. Very little plot, not very imaginative, okay character development. As a fictional record of an obscure chapter in W.W.I history, I found it worth reading, but could not rate it higher than average.
April 5, 2021
Stilted style, butth unusual topic made it an interesting read
I struggled with the archaic style which was, at least , in keeping with the period. Very thin plot and wooden characters, but the 'novel' subject kept me interested. Probably 2-3 star if it had a less interesting subject matter.
I struggled with the archaic style which was, at least , in keeping with the period. Very thin plot and wooden characters, but the 'novel' subject kept me interested. Probably 2-3 star if it had a less interesting subject matter.
November 28, 2023
A good introduction to the blimp fleet in WWI
I enjoyed being introduced to the pilots of blimps at the start of WWI. The politics and class issues of Great Britain added depth to the story. I would actually be interested to read more about the characters. There is a lot to be said.
I enjoyed being introduced to the pilots of blimps at the start of WWI. The politics and class issues of Great Britain added depth to the story. I would actually be interested to read more about the characters. There is a lot to be said.
February 27, 2021
A good read
This is not the authors best work but still very entertaining. The characters are a bit stiff and underdeveloped. As usual with this author the plot is its strong point. A more detailed technical description of the balloons would also be a help.
This is not the authors best work but still very entertaining. The characters are a bit stiff and underdeveloped. As usual with this author the plot is its strong point. A more detailed technical description of the balloons would also be a help.
March 14, 2021
A very unique story
I alternated between being enthused over the development of both the balloons and the crews for them, with sometimes exasperation over the simplistic descriptions of individuals and families.
I alternated between being enthused over the development of both the balloons and the crews for them, with sometimes exasperation over the simplistic descriptions of individuals and families.
April 26, 2021
A light but compelling read. Entertaining and informative. An adventure and an insight into the times rather than a solid storyline. I've also been reading about the early submarines so the two stories knitted together well.
3.5/5
3.5/5
July 4, 2021
So so
Some pretty large historical errors, such as the main character complaining about how unpleasant he finds flappers, though the book is set in 1915. It does a good job showing how innovation during war conditions was opposed by traditional
Some pretty large historical errors, such as the main character complaining about how unpleasant he finds flappers, though the book is set in 1915. It does a good job showing how innovation during war conditions was opposed by traditional
September 3, 2021
Always interesting.
It's nice when an author can make the routine part of a story interesting. Not that there is much routine in the story. This is a part of the War that was not familiar to me.
It's nice when an author can make the routine part of a story interesting. Not that there is much routine in the story. This is a part of the War that was not familiar to me.
February 8, 2022
The times have certainly changed in England!
I had no idea how heavily the notion of class impacted English society and the military structure. Seeing it through the eyes of a good writer who lived it first hand was s fascinating experience.
I had no idea how heavily the notion of class impacted English society and the military structure. Seeing it through the eyes of a good writer who lived it first hand was s fascinating experience.
May 2, 2022
First Rate Read
Wareham is a master storyteller and always puts the reader in the footsteps of his main character. This was another really first rate read. Keep ‘‘em coming Mr. Wareham.
Wareham is a master storyteller and always puts the reader in the footsteps of his main character. This was another really first rate read. Keep ‘‘em coming Mr. Wareham.
August 14, 2026
very entertaining
Informative about the blimps in WWI. Very well put together with a touch of humor and humanity. Nice character development with a lead in to a series. I will definitely read one when it comes available.
Informative about the blimps in WWI. Very well put together with a touch of humor and humanity. Nice character development with a lead in to a series. I will definitely read one when it comes available.
January 10, 2021
Wonderful Wareham
Another great beginning of a Wareham series! I look forward to reading about the industrialization of Great Britain in the 20th century.
Another great beginning of a Wareham series! I look forward to reading about the industrialization of Great Britain in the 20th century.
January 15, 2021
Enthralling !
Another good read from Andrew Wareham, he consistently delivers enthralling tales to keep the reader engrossed from first to last page.
Another good read from Andrew Wareham, he consistently delivers enthralling tales to keep the reader engrossed from first to last page.
January 17, 2021
Great subject
Fast paced story about an obscure branch of the navy blimp submarine chaser s. Action and love in war setting with period dialog.
Fast paced story about an obscure branch of the navy blimp submarine chaser s. Action and love in war setting with period dialog.
January 25, 2021
Lovely read
Quite enjoyable. Any book that i cannot wait to get back to is worth recommending to others. It has all the necessary components.
Quite enjoyable. Any book that i cannot wait to get back to is worth recommending to others. It has all the necessary components.
February 7, 2021
BOMBS AWAY
An excellent little book. The writing is concise and charmingly Proper English. The story is well constructed and well narrated. Don't hesitate to read this one.
An excellent little book. The writing is concise and charmingly Proper English. The story is well constructed and well narrated. Don't hesitate to read this one.
February 11, 2021
Superb tale, well told
Enjoyed every page. Nice jaunt back into a different era with lexicon and concepts to match, but featuring a timeless and wonderfully likeable protagonist.
Enjoyed every page. Nice jaunt back into a different era with lexicon and concepts to match, but featuring a timeless and wonderfully likeable protagonist.
Read
February 12, 2021Authentic novel
Well written and fast moving tale of a little known early air endeavor in the early days of WW1. Interesting portrait of Brittish Soviet of the time.
Well written and fast moving tale of a little known early air endeavor in the early days of WW1. Interesting portrait of Brittish Soviet of the time.
February 23, 2021
A nice read
Another nice read from Andrew Wareham. Similar to many of his books. A young man makes good in the blimps in World War I.
Another nice read from Andrew Wareham. Similar to many of his books. A young man makes good in the blimps in World War I.
February 24, 2021
Fascinating romp thru the air
Description of WW I British blimp anti-submarine warfare. Incredible career of a young man who makes the best over fortune
Description of WW I British blimp anti-submarine warfare. Incredible career of a young man who makes the best over fortune
March 5, 2021
Gripping. A Page Turner
Historically accurate account of a WW1 service I knew little of. Never knew of the balloons as anti-sub elements that the story chronicles.
Historically accurate account of a WW1 service I knew little of. Never knew of the balloons as anti-sub elements that the story chronicles.
March 24, 2021
True “Page Turner”
Very fast paced tale. Literally a story of rags to riches. The sort of story that makes the reader research for “follow ons”.
Very fast paced tale. Literally a story of rags to riches. The sort of story that makes the reader research for “follow ons”.
March 28, 2021
Great story
A well written navel yarn on a subject very little is known about.
Very well done. Let us have more
A well written navel yarn on a subject very little is known about.
Very well done. Let us have more
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews