Harper Collins, 2001, £ 17.99, ISBN: 0-00-257191-9, 356 pages, hardback

A dopey title masks a well-written book about the development of the Zeppelin, and specifically the Graf Zeppelin, which made the trip. Count Zeppelin gets the better PR in history, but Dr. Echener did the majority of the work.

The actual trip takes almost no pages at all--sort of a long magazine article. The rest provides an excellent introduction to rigid airships, used during WWI, fledgling efforts to start intercontinental air service, and the rise of Nazi airship propaganda.

For a book from the discount bin, it’s a snappy overview to get your Zeppelin interest flowing.