Published in September 2023 Head in the Clouds is a unique collection of stories that documents the first 50 years of free flying.

Since the pioneers took their first tentative steps into the air in the 1970s, we pilots have enjoyed a golden age. Face in the breeze, arms outstretched, following the birds and soaring high up to the clouds… for 50 years we’ve chased and achieved humankind’s oldest dream.

In this exclusive hardback collection of 50 stories, pilots describe the highs and lows in free flying. Whether crossing the Himalaya, being sucked to 20,000ft inside a cumulonimbus or simply trying to stay sane at work while cumulus clouds pop overhead, the stories convey the joys and challenges involved.

What people say

“The stories range from the sublime to the terrifying” – Roger Cox, The Scotsman (read the full review here). Head in the Clouds was also selected as one of The Scotsman’s Top Outdoor Books of the Year in 2023

“Free flying makes me feel alive like nothing else does. And this book is as close as you can get to the real thing. It’s got it all, from the thrill of a first flight, to the fear of the unknown, the brushes with the gods, and the sombre reminders of the ultimate power of gravity.” – Gavin McClurg, author of Advanced Paragliding and host of the Cloudbase Mayhem Podcast

“It’s all here: supreme exhilaration, naked fear, serious injury, winning, losing, extreme adventure, inner strength. Every mood and every situation that this rich sport can conjure up … A terrific cross-section of some of the most inspiring writing about the entire spectrum of our sport. It’s a seriously good read” – Joe Schofield, Skywings Magazine

“I absolutely loved reading Head in the Clouds” – Jess Cox, paragliding instructor

“Masterfully written and artfully assembled, Head in the Clouds is, at the same time, inspirational and a spine-tingling look at my greatest fears. This book has departed from the traditional paragliding educational format to bring us something closer to the aesthetic writings of Jon Krakauer or John Long” – Ben Horton, National Geographic Adventure photographer and TV host

“I’m really enjoying dipping into it. A wonderfully inspiring selection of colourful tales” – Tristan Gooley, the Natural Navigator

“If you like to read some ‘aviation yarns’ and are fluent in English I can recommend the book as a stimulating read – for all the coming winter and bad weather days when you can only dream of flying. My favourite is the longest story in the collection: Into the Vortex by James ‘Kiwi’ Johnston” – Lu-Glidz

“The book is fantastic” – Bob Drury, editor of Classic Routes

 

About the editors

Head in the Clouds is edited by Hugh Miller and Andrew Craig.

Andrew Craig has been flying since 2001. Formerly a radio journalist, Andrew has edited several paragliding books for Cross Country and twice been a semi-finalist on the BBC’s ‘Mastermind’.

Hugh Miller has worked as an editor and writer at Cross Country since 1997. His flying achievements include winning the FAI World Air Games, the British Paragliding Championships, the UK XC League and the Wayne Seeley Trophy.

Hugh and Andrew’s greatest shared adventure was breaking the UK paragliding tandem distance record in 2018, flying from the Black Mountains in Wales to Petersfield, England.

Read an interview with Hugh Miller about Head in the Clouds here (pdf).

Where to buy

Bookshops (Waterstones in the UK), flying centres, Amazon and online at xcmag.com/shop

For bulk and trade orders, please email Verity: verity@xcmag.com

PRESS RELEASE

Download the Head in the Clouds press release here (pdf).

Cover photos

Download the trade information sheet and free-to-use cover photos, product shots here .

Book info

Pages: 320
Cover: Hardback
ISBN: 978-1-7393434-2-2
Weight: 535g
Published: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Cross Country International Ltd, Tollgate, Beddingham, Lewes, BN8 6JZ, UK
Publisher’s email: office@xcmag.com