MALCOLM FORBES : AROUND THE WORLD ON HOT AIR AND TWO WHEELS

This stunning book, wich contains so many photographs, is an invitation to discover the world through the author's experiences by using both hot - air ballooning and motorcycles.

Aviation book
( … ) This book, as lavish and colourful as the voyages it describes, is an armchair adventure of unique appeal to every vicarious Phileas Fogg. The pictures alone ( many of them in full colour ) are worth the price of the ticket. The next itself is not only fascinating but often witty and insightful, drawing the reader along on Malcolm Forbes's ambitious journeys, until he ( or she ) feels like a member of the expedition.
( ... ) Travel is said to broaden the mind ; certainly it has made Malcolm Forbes something like an American national treasure. It also brings people together, and Forbes's voyages have made him an ex officio ambassador of good will to many millions of people all over the world. ( ... )

Malcolm Stevenson Forbes ( August 19th, 1919 - February 24th, 1990 ) was born in Englewood ( New Jersey, United States ). He was the son of Adelaide Mary ( Stevenson ) and Scottish - born financial journalist and author B.C. Forbes. He graduated from the Lawrenceville School in 1937 and Princeton University ( both in New Jersey ).
Malcolm S. Forbes enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1942 and served as a machine gunner in the 84th Infantry Division in Europe, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He received a thigh wound in combat, and received a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart.
After dabbling in politics, including service in the New Jersey Senate from 1951 to 1957 and an unsuccessful candidacy for Governor of New Jersey, he committed to the magazine full - time by 1957, three years after his father's death. After the death of his brother Bruce Charles Forbes in 1964, he acquired sole control of the company. The magazine grew steadily under his leadership, and he diversified into real estate sales and other ventures. One of his last projects was the magazine Egg, which chronicled New York's nightlife ( the title had nothing to do with Forbes's famous Fabergé egg collection ).
To honor his contribution to the magazine, Malcolm S. Forbes won the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism in 1989. Malcolm S. Forbes had a lavish lifestyle, exemplified by his private Capitalist Tool Boeing 727 trijet, ever larger Highlander yachts, huge art collection, substantial collection of Harley - Davidson motorbikes, his French Chateau ( Château de Balleroy in Normandy, France ), his collections of special shape hot air balloons and historical documents, as well as his opulent birthday parties. Additionally in the mid - 1960's he was a fixture at N.Y.C.'s famous Cat Club on Wednesday nights, supporting local musical talents.
Malcolm S. Forbes died of a heart attack at the age of 70, at his home, Timberfield ( Far Hills, New Jersey ).
( source : Wikipedia )