Review: Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones, Around the World in 20 Days: The Story of Our History-making Balloon Flight

Authors

Cheryl R. Ganz, University of Illinois at Chicago

Keywords

balloon flights, Breitling Orbiter 3

Abstract

Around the World in 20 Days is a compelling personal narrative by the two pilots who first circumnavigated the globe by balloon in 1999 in the Breitling Orbiter 3. Having failed in his first two attempts to conquer this one remaining aeronautical challenge of twentieth century, Swiss psychiatrist Bertrand Piccard invited British flight instructor Brian Jones to join him for the ultimate adventurer's project. Together they assembled a working team of corporate representatives, aviation controllers, meteorologists, friends, and family who spent years in preparation for the balloon launch from Chateau d'Oex, Switzerland in the winter of 1999. Five other balloon teams prepared to launch in other parts of the world. The race was on.

Recommended Citation

Ganz, Cheryl R. (2001) "Review: Bertrand Piccard and Brian Jones, Around the World in 20 Days: The Story of Our History-making Balloon Flight," Swiss American Historical Society Review: Vol. 37: No. 2, Article 5.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/sahs_review/vol37/iss2/5