Originally appearing at: Booklist

Virgin Atlantic founder Branson is famous for his lifelong interest in aviation, and with this eclectic look at the inventors, explorers, and daredevils who have taken to the skies, he will broaden his own personal appeal. As he blends his experiences with a perceptive look at those who flew before him, Branson wisely resists the limelight to serve as a knowledgeable guide that includes the ancient Greeks as well as a group of Peruvians who likely used balloons 1,500 years ago to map out extraordinary land art from the air. He covers the legal battles of Orville and Wilbur Wright, fearless wing-walker Georgia Broadwick, and the largely forgotten teenager who was the first to deliberately free-fall; and he praises the bold, too often overlooked creativity and courage of Howard Hughes. A personal reminiscence about adventurer Steve Fossett leads to his own near-death experiences. Most illuminating for industry aficionados will be the chapters on the future of aviation, where Branson’s bold vision for commercial space travel remains undeterred. It’s a toss-up over what’s more fascinating—the subject or the man who so clearly revels in writing about it. This is flat-out fun reading.