In the heart of Paris, at the dawn of the twentieth century, the impossible allure of flight beckons the bold and the brave. "Lighter Than Air" transports readers to the vibrant epoch of 1901, a time when the marvel of aviation was but a dream for most, yet tantalizingly close for a daring few. Amidst the elegance and intrigue of "La Belle Époque," a grand contest emerges: a race around the iconic Eiffel Tower, with a fortune in francs awaiting the victor. This challenge ignites a fierce competition that draws in ambitious souls from across nations, each vying not just for the prize, but for glory, for progress, for the very future of flight itself. Enter a courageous American woman, whose thirst for adventure propels her into the heart of this high-stakes endeavor. Her journey is one of discovery, danger, and an unexpected romance that blooms in the shadow of steel girders and under the wide Parisian sky. George Mahlberg masterfully weaves a tale of ambition, passion, and technological marvel, capturing the spirit of an era on the cusp of great change. "Lighter Than Air" is not merely a story of a historic flight; it is a rich tapestry of humanity's perennial quest to conquer the skies, set against the backdrop of one of history's most enchanting cities at its zenith.