David Rooney
@rooneyvision.bsky.social
Writer and curator. THE BIG HOP (Chatto & Windus/W. W. Norton) out now.
https://www.davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
https://www.davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
THE BIG HOP is a Kindle Daily Deal today (at least in the UK). A mere £1.99! Well worth a punt I'd say, but you'll need to act fast...
amazon.co.uk/Big-Hop-Non-...
If you've already read it, would you care to leave an Amazon rating or review? It helps enormously!
amazon.co.uk/Big-Hop-Non-...
If you've already read it, would you care to leave an Amazon rating or review? It helps enormously!
September 12, 2025 at 9:20 AM
THE BIG HOP is a Kindle Daily Deal today (at least in the UK). A mere £1.99! Well worth a punt I'd say, but you'll need to act fast...
amazon.co.uk/Big-Hop-Non-...
If you've already read it, would you care to leave an Amazon rating or review? It helps enormously!
amazon.co.uk/Big-Hop-Non-...
If you've already read it, would you care to leave an Amazon rating or review? It helps enormously!
This is the cockpit of the Vickers Vimy flown by Jack Alcock and Ted Brown over the Atlantic in 1919. Open top. Canvas skin. The tightest squeeze!
Pilots flying Boeings and Airbuses on the transatlantic routes today: how does this make you feel?!
Hats off to the lot of yers!
Pilots flying Boeings and Airbuses on the transatlantic routes today: how does this make you feel?!
Hats off to the lot of yers!
August 5, 2025 at 11:58 AM
This is the cockpit of the Vickers Vimy flown by Jack Alcock and Ted Brown over the Atlantic in 1919. Open top. Canvas skin. The tightest squeeze!
Pilots flying Boeings and Airbuses on the transatlantic routes today: how does this make you feel?!
Hats off to the lot of yers!
Pilots flying Boeings and Airbuses on the transatlantic routes today: how does this make you feel?!
Hats off to the lot of yers!
Fred Raynham, a Suffolk farmers' boy, escaped the agricultural depression, moved to Brooklands, and learned to fly at 17. He became one of Britain's most accomplished aviators. Hear his story—and many others—in THE BIG HOP.
davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
Image: Library of Congress
davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
Image: Library of Congress
July 14, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Fred Raynham, a Suffolk farmers' boy, escaped the agricultural depression, moved to Brooklands, and learned to fly at 17. He became one of Britain's most accomplished aviators. Hear his story—and many others—in THE BIG HOP.
davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
Image: Library of Congress
davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
Image: Library of Congress
"a splendid book, one that offers a marvellous introduction to the world of early aviation and an inspiring reminder of what courage it takes to be a pioneer."
What a lovely review to read!
THE BIG HOP is available wherever you get your books...
www.davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
What a lovely review to read!
THE BIG HOP is available wherever you get your books...
www.davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
July 6, 2025 at 7:36 AM
"a splendid book, one that offers a marvellous introduction to the world of early aviation and an inspiring reminder of what courage it takes to be a pioneer."
What a lovely review to read!
THE BIG HOP is available wherever you get your books...
www.davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
What a lovely review to read!
THE BIG HOP is available wherever you get your books...
www.davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
Can a home be considered properly furnished without one?
July 1, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Can a home be considered properly furnished without one?
The Observer:
"grips like a pacy thriller"
"The Right Stuff in flat caps with the accumulating tension of a whodunnit"
"reminded me of a John Buchan novel"
"may be some danger of air sickness reading Rooney – but there is no danger of boredom"
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
😊
"grips like a pacy thriller"
"The Right Stuff in flat caps with the accumulating tension of a whodunnit"
"reminded me of a John Buchan novel"
"may be some danger of air sickness reading Rooney – but there is no danger of boredom"
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
😊
June 30, 2025 at 6:25 AM
The Observer:
"grips like a pacy thriller"
"The Right Stuff in flat caps with the accumulating tension of a whodunnit"
"reminded me of a John Buchan novel"
"may be some danger of air sickness reading Rooney – but there is no danger of boredom"
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
😊
"grips like a pacy thriller"
"The Right Stuff in flat caps with the accumulating tension of a whodunnit"
"reminded me of a John Buchan novel"
"may be some danger of air sickness reading Rooney – but there is no danger of boredom"
observer.co.uk/culture/book...
😊
"I am safe upon your shore. Soldiers in khaki run up, and a policeman. Two of my compatriots are on the spot. They kiss my cheeks. The conclusion of my flight overwhelms me" — Louis Blériot, 1909, having just flown the Channel.
More in THE BIG HOP!
davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
More in THE BIG HOP!
davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
June 23, 2025 at 7:41 AM
"I am safe upon your shore. Soldiers in khaki run up, and a policeman. Two of my compatriots are on the spot. They kiss my cheeks. The conclusion of my flight overwhelms me" — Louis Blériot, 1909, having just flown the Channel.
More in THE BIG HOP!
davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
More in THE BIG HOP!
davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
Well, this was a nice surprise. THE BIG HOP was "Book of the Week" in The Times this weekend!
Sorry it's a bit crumpled. I was in the pub (and was also a bit crumpled).
"This book was a joy to read."
Available now!
davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
Sorry it's a bit crumpled. I was in the pub (and was also a bit crumpled).
"This book was a joy to read."
Available now!
davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
June 16, 2025 at 6:25 AM
Well, this was a nice surprise. THE BIG HOP was "Book of the Week" in The Times this weekend!
Sorry it's a bit crumpled. I was in the pub (and was also a bit crumpled).
"This book was a joy to read."
Available now!
davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
Sorry it's a bit crumpled. I was in the pub (and was also a bit crumpled).
"This book was a joy to read."
Available now!
davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
The story recounted in THE BIG HOP is one of the greatest adventures of the 20th century. I think you’ll love it. Why not order today? davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
June 12, 2025 at 10:43 AM
The story recounted in THE BIG HOP is one of the greatest adventures of the 20th century. I think you’ll love it. Why not order today? davidrooney.uk/the-big-hop
You'll meet numerous other characters in THE BIG HOP: from Hilda Hewlett, Tom Sopwith, and Alfred Harmsworth, to Muriel Peaty, Harold Medlicott, and Mark Kerr—and many more. Remarkable people who did great things in the early days of aviation. It was a team effort.
June 12, 2025 at 6:45 AM
You'll meet numerous other characters in THE BIG HOP: from Hilda Hewlett, Tom Sopwith, and Alfred Harmsworth, to Muriel Peaty, Harold Medlicott, and Mark Kerr—and many more. Remarkable people who did great things in the early days of aviation. It was a team effort.
By 1919, each of these seven had a life story that could fill a book or a movie screen. On Newfoundland, they made history together. They were ordinary, working men, risking their lives in the name of progress. I believe we owe them a great debt. THE BIG HOP tells their story.
June 12, 2025 at 6:45 AM
By 1919, each of these seven had a life story that could fill a book or a movie screen. On Newfoundland, they made history together. They were ordinary, working men, risking their lives in the name of progress. I believe we owe them a great debt. THE BIG HOP tells their story.
Finally, there's John "Jack" Alcock, the affable Manchester lad everyone loved. Alcock took part in his first flight in Heaton Park in 1909 and was hooked. Then—he had a hard war. By the time he got to Newfoundland, he was one of Britain’s most accomplished aviators.
June 12, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Finally, there's John "Jack" Alcock, the affable Manchester lad everyone loved. Alcock took part in his first flight in Heaton Park in 1909 and was hooked. Then—he had a hard war. By the time he got to Newfoundland, he was one of Britain’s most accomplished aviators.
Then there was the Vickers crew. Arthur Whitten "Ted" Brown would be its navigator. He was born in Scotland to American parents and spent his youth crisscrossing the Atlantic. He entered the war confident and cheerful. But his experiences in the conflict nearly broke his spirit.
June 12, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Then there was the Vickers crew. Arthur Whitten "Ted" Brown would be its navigator. He was born in Scotland to American parents and spent his youth crisscrossing the Atlantic. He entered the war confident and cheerful. But his experiences in the conflict nearly broke his spirit.
Raynham's other navigator was Conrad Biddlecombe. Like Morgan, Biddlecombe had seen his fair share of dramatic action before arriving on Newfoundland ready to attempt the Big Hop. Both were former sailors; both had survived shipwreck. Both had been shot down in their aircraft.
June 12, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Raynham's other navigator was Conrad Biddlecombe. Like Morgan, Biddlecombe had seen his fair share of dramatic action before arriving on Newfoundland ready to attempt the Big Hop. Both were former sailors; both had survived shipwreck. Both had been shot down in their aircraft.
Raynham would have two navigators over the contest's course. The first was Charles Morgan. On the surface, he was garrulous and gregarious. But he was hiding demons. Those who saw his false leg might have wondered how the war had treated him. He spent his life trying to forget.
June 12, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Raynham would have two navigators over the contest's course. The first was Charles Morgan. On the surface, he was garrulous and gregarious. But he was hiding demons. Those who saw his false leg might have wondered how the war had treated him. He spent his life trying to forget.
Piloting for Martinsyde would be Frederick "Fred" Raynham: young, reserved, with a quiet determination and sharp intellect who'd been flying since his teens. He'd got to know Hawker well at Brooklands before the war. They were close, and he didn't forget that on Newfoundland.
June 12, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Piloting for Martinsyde would be Frederick "Fred" Raynham: young, reserved, with a quiet determination and sharp intellect who'd been flying since his teens. He'd got to know Hawker well at Brooklands before the war. They were close, and he didn't forget that on Newfoundland.
Hawker's navigator in the Sopwith cockpit would be Kenneth Mackenzie "Mac" Grieve: avuncular, a little older, and stolid. Grieve was a navy man who'd commanded an aircraft carrier in the First World War. He was tough—not afraid to get rough—and Hawker trusted him entirely.
June 12, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Hawker's navigator in the Sopwith cockpit would be Kenneth Mackenzie "Mac" Grieve: avuncular, a little older, and stolid. Grieve was a navy man who'd commanded an aircraft carrier in the First World War. He was tough—not afraid to get rough—and Hawker trusted him entirely.
There was Harry Hawker, the intense Melbourne motor mechanic who moved to England to learn to fly. He was ambitious and driven, though he could be moody and impatient—sometimes spiky—when problems struck. He piloted the Sopwith entry.
June 12, 2025 at 6:45 AM
There was Harry Hawker, the intense Melbourne motor mechanic who moved to England to learn to fly. He was ambitious and driven, though he could be moody and impatient—sometimes spiky—when problems struck. He piloted the Sopwith entry.
Only seven airmen, representing three companies—Sopwith, Martinsyde, and Vickers—would get off the ground intending that their next stop would be Ireland. Only one team would make it across successfully. In THE BIG HOP I tell the story of them all.
June 12, 2025 at 6:45 AM
Only seven airmen, representing three companies—Sopwith, Martinsyde, and Vickers—would get off the ground intending that their next stop would be Ireland. Only one team would make it across successfully. In THE BIG HOP I tell the story of them all.
It was the early summer of 1919. Teams of aviators and engineers had been gathering on the island dominion of Newfoundland for weeks, ready to compete in the most audacious contest of the modern age: to be the first to fly, non-stop, across the Atlantic Ocean.
June 12, 2025 at 6:45 AM
It was the early summer of 1919. Teams of aviators and engineers had been gathering on the island dominion of Newfoundland for weeks, ready to compete in the most audacious contest of the modern age: to be the first to fly, non-stop, across the Atlantic Ocean.
✈️ It has landed! Today is the UK publication day (with huge thanks to @vintagebooks.bsky.social) of THE BIG HOP: THE FIRST NON-STOP FLIGHT ACROSS THE ATLANTIC OCEAN AND INTO THE FUTURE. Writing it allowed me to become close to seven remarkable people. I'd like to introduce them, if I may 🧵
June 12, 2025 at 6:45 AM
✈️ It has landed! Today is the UK publication day (with huge thanks to @vintagebooks.bsky.social) of THE BIG HOP: THE FIRST NON-STOP FLIGHT ACROSS THE ATLANTIC OCEAN AND INTO THE FUTURE. Writing it allowed me to become close to seven remarkable people. I'd like to introduce them, if I may 🧵
Just putting the finishing touches to my talk for the National Portrait Gallery next Friday (June 13th). I'd love to see you there if you can make it—tickets available here:
www.npg.org.uk/whatson/even...
I'll also be signing books—it's released the previous day 📚
I think you'll enjoy it!
www.npg.org.uk/whatson/even...
I'll also be signing books—it's released the previous day 📚
I think you'll enjoy it!
June 6, 2025 at 11:52 AM
Just putting the finishing touches to my talk for the National Portrait Gallery next Friday (June 13th). I'd love to see you there if you can make it—tickets available here:
www.npg.org.uk/whatson/even...
I'll also be signing books—it's released the previous day 📚
I think you'll enjoy it!
www.npg.org.uk/whatson/even...
I'll also be signing books—it's released the previous day 📚
I think you'll enjoy it!
Everyone's talking about Tom Cruise's biplane stunts in the new Mission:Impossible. They're wild! But what happened 110 years ago will shock you.
I've written this about the death-defying realities of First World War aviation.
rooneyvision.substack.com/p/before-tom...
Pic: National Army Museum
I've written this about the death-defying realities of First World War aviation.
rooneyvision.substack.com/p/before-tom...
Pic: National Army Museum
June 5, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Everyone's talking about Tom Cruise's biplane stunts in the new Mission:Impossible. They're wild! But what happened 110 years ago will shock you.
I've written this about the death-defying realities of First World War aviation.
rooneyvision.substack.com/p/before-tom...
Pic: National Army Museum
I've written this about the death-defying realities of First World War aviation.
rooneyvision.substack.com/p/before-tom...
Pic: National Army Museum
Today, a non-stop flight across the Atlantic is routine. But once, it was a journey into the unknown. Those who made it were adventurers of the truest kind. They did it for freedom, for progress—and for us. I salute them all 🫡
June 3, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Today, a non-stop flight across the Atlantic is routine. But once, it was a journey into the unknown. Those who made it were adventurers of the truest kind. They did it for freedom, for progress—and for us. I salute them all 🫡
I have many people to thank—too many to list here. They're all acknowledged in the book and I am hugely grateful to them all. This chapter of my life has been an utterly enjoyable one! 🤗
June 3, 2025 at 12:13 PM
I have many people to thank—too many to list here. They're all acknowledged in the book and I am hugely grateful to them all. This chapter of my life has been an utterly enjoyable one! 🤗