The balloonist
Subtitle: the story of Thaddeus Sobieski Constantine Lowe--magician, scientist, inventor, railway builder, and the head of America's first Air Force
By: Stephen Poleskie.
Edition: 1st ed.
Publisher: Frederic C. Beil
Published: 2006
Place of publication: Savannah, GA
Language: eng
Number of pages: 338
Subjects: Lowe, T. S. C. -- 1832-1913; United States. -- Army -- Biography; Balloonists -- United States -- Biography; Engineers -- United States -- Biography; Aeronautical engineers -- United States -- Biography; Military engineers -- United States -- Biography; Aeronautics, Military -- United States -- History -- 19th century; United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Technology
Genres: Biography
Description: Thaddeus Sobieski Coulincourt Lowe (1823-1913) was called by Carl Sandburg 'the most shot-at man of the Civil War'. A flamboyant showman, dedicated scientist, and starry-eyed dreamer, Lowe, soon after the outbreak of the Civil War, went to the federal government with a view to convincing the authorities in the use of balloons for observation purposes. He eventually was made chief of the aeronautic department and rendered valuable service to the Army of the Potomac during the war. Hovering over the battlefield, observing the action from his hot-air balloon, Lowe is considered by many to be the founder of the US Air Force. Besides aeronautics, Lowe also made contributions in the fields of meteorology, cartography, military science, aerial photography, metallurgy, and railroading. This historical novel is the story of Lowe's struggle, trials and tribulations, and sheer perseverance in promoting the interest of science.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.