"In 1862, Glaisher and Coxwell ascended to 37,000 feet in a balloon–the highest point in the atmosphere humans had ever reached." – Smithsonian Magazine, Dec. 9, 2019

"'The Aeronauts' ... makes a radical departure from the historical record: a gender swap Coxwell is replaced by Amelia Wren." - The Washington Post, Dec. 20, 2019

"The book is one of great interest and value." -Yorkshire Gazette

"Many exceedingly interesting narratives of ascents, successful, dangerous, or disastrous, into cloudland." —St. James's Gazette

"Is interesting from the first page to the last." - English Mechanic and World of Science, 1888

"Veteran aéronaut, the hero of more than a thousand ascents, a veritable emperor of the air." -The Pall Mall Budget (1884)

"Nearly sacrificed to their unselfish daring." - Wonderful Balloon Ascents (1870)

In 1862 the British Association for the Advancement of Science determined to make investigations of the upper atmosphere using balloons. Dr. James Glaisher was chosen to carry out the experiments, and veteran aeronaut Henry Tracey Coxwell (1819–1900), who would in his lifetime log nearly 1,000 ascents, was employed to fly the balloons.

In 1889, Coxwell included an account of this record-setting ascent as well as his career as an aeronaut in his interesting book "My Life and Balloon Experiences."

And in 2019, the movie "The Aeronauts" was released which includes a fictionalized account of the record setting September 1862 flight, but omits Coxwell entirely. The movie replaces him with a female co-star, played by Felicity Jones; Amelia Wren is a fictional composite character, based on several real-life balloonists and adventurers.

Taking off from Wolverhampton in record setting ascent, Coxwell and Glaisher reached the greatest height achieved to date. Glaisher lost consciousness during the ascent due to the lack of oxygen at the altitude of 29,000 ft and Coxwell lost all sensation in his hands.

In his book, Coxwell includes Dr. Glaisher's account of the near fatal ascent, in which it became necessary in order to save their lives to open the balloon valve to release the gas so that the balloon would end its dangerous ascent:

"Coxwell told me that while in the ring, he felt it piercingly cold...he found his hands frozen. ... he then noticed that my legs projected and my arms hung down by my side, and saw that my countenance was serene and placid...then it struck him that I was insensible. He wished to approach me, but could not; and when he felt insensibility coming over him too, he became anxious to open the valve. But in consequence of having lost the use of his hands he could not do this; ultimately he succeeded by seizing the cord with his teeth..."

In 1847 Coxwell ascended 6,000 feet with three others when the balloon burst. The neck of the balloon was tied to the hoop above the car. Coxwell was standing on the hoop. He cut the string which held down the neck, the latter was jerked violently up to the crown of the balloon, a parachute was formed, and they descended safely.

The book gives an autobiography of a well-known aeronaut, which gives a good deal more than the experiences of Coxwell in ballooning. It is a chatty, interesting volume which one reads with pleasure, and contains a great deal of valuable information in its breadth of view, and the great amount of information, presented in a lightsome and pleasing form. The book is one of great interest and historical value.