'With a long bibliography of primary and secondary sources, and concise footnotes for each anecdote, The Sublime Invention is the most useful work of reference on the subject in decades.' -- Lily Ford Times Literary Supplement

• Introduction; Chapter 1 The Emergence of Aeronautics; Chapter 2 The Enlightenment and the Utility of Ballooning; Chapter 3 Balloonists and their Audience; Chapter 4 Controlling the Skies: States and Balloons; Chapter 5 Consuming Balloons; Chapter 6 Balloons Inspiring Consumption; conclusion Conclusion: Romanticizing Enlightened Balloons;