A Grandstand Seat: The American Balloon Service in World War I

“Eileen Lebow's well-documented book addresses a neglected feature of military aviation history. The Allied and German balloons were key to bringing artillery fire on enemy targets--so vital that they were constantly under attack by aircraft and artillery. The book records the American Balloon Service from enlistment to the fierce fighting that ended the war. A fascinating bonus is a look at the sacrifices our 'doughboys,' through their own words, made in order to track and destroy enemy targets. This is not only an important reference but also a thoroughly enjoyable read.”–General Bryce Poe II, USAF, retired Publisher of "Air Power History" “Eileen Lebow takes the reader right into the 'grandstand seat' with the brave young men who rose in their balloons to peer behind the German lines--and then jumped for their lives when attacked by enemy fighters.”–Orr Kelly, author of From a Dark Sky: The Story of U.S. Air Force Special Operations The little-known tale of the American Balloon Service, whose work in combat helped direct artillery fire more accurately and provided essential intelligence on enemy troop movements during World War I.