About the Author

JOHN J. GEOGHEGAN is a journalist, author, and editor who specializes in reporting on White Elephant Technology. His articles have appeared in the New York Times Science section, WIRED, Popular Science, and the Smithsonian’s Air & Space magazine, and he has featured in a number of interviews and documentaries. He has previously written When Giants Ruled the Sky for The History Press, and Operation Storm: Japan’s Top Secret Submarines and Their Plan to Change the Course of WWII (Crown, 2013), both on WETech inventions. He lives in California.

Reviews

‘Totally captivating. A fascinating account of glory and tragedy that soars with suspense. I enjoyed the hell out of it!’
*Dirk Cussler*

‘When Giants Ruled the Sky examines the successes, problems and controversies of the American rigid airship program bringing the industrialists and engineers who designed and built them, and the officers and men who flew them, to life. No airship fancier’s library should be without a copy.’
*Tom Crouch*

‘It’s too often forgotten that for a few short years the U.S. Navy actually possessed flying aircraft carriers and the world’s greatest airship fleet. In his latest book, John Geoghegan has performed sterling service in excavating the astounding story of the Akron and the Macon from the tomb of lost history.’
*Alexander Rose*

‘A well-researched history of the rigid airship “carrier” during the interwar years of U.S. naval aeronautics. A genuine contribution.’
*William Althoff*

‘This extremely readable and gripping new account of the US Navy rigid airship programme and the demise of its giant flying aircraft carriers Akron and Macon, draws on fresh statements and personal accounts to tell the story through the eyes of those directly involved. The best book on the subject by far.’
*Alastair Reid*

‘The best book focused upon the USS Akron & Macon published in the last 55 years!’
*C.P. Hall*