Lincoln's Flying Spies

Lincoln's Flying Spies
By Gail Jarrow
Calkins Creek, 2010. 109 pgs. Young Adult Nonfiction

When the Civil War broke out, Thaddeus Lowe, a balloonist, believed that hot air balloons could be used to aid the Union Army's efforts against the Confederates. Lowe set about to convince President Lincoln and Union generals that it would be beneficial to the army and established a balloon corp to spy on the Confederates. Lowe also worked out systems for relaying messages to generals on the ground, figured out how to make stronger balloons, and devised portable methods for filling the balloons.

I'd never thought about the use of balloons in warfare. With many photos and illustrations, as well as sidebars, this book has a nice format to complement its unique topic.

AE