Man with His Head in Clouds

James Sadler: The First Englishman to Fly

Smith Richard O.

For sale in CIS only!

Sadler was the first Englishman to fly. I was the first Englishman to be diagnosed with both acute acrophobia (height anxiety) and bathmophobia (an irrational fear of stairs). This explains why I have never been a high-flyer, high-achiever or high anything. I don't even like legal highs, especially ladders. Suffering from a full house (or as I prefer, a full bungalow) of height anxieties means recruiting counsellors and phobia experts because...

Did I mention I plan to replicate Sadler's first historic balloon flight?

About the Author

Richard O. Smith is a comedy writer who contributes material to Radio 4's The Now Show, The News Quiz and BBC 2's Dara O'Briain's Science Club. He is the author of Britain's Most Eccentric Sports, Oxford Student Pranks, and As Thick as Thieves and co-wrote the screenplay for the film The Unbeatables, which features the voice talent of Rupert Grint and is released this summer.

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