Listen to a sample
Jump Jet
- Author
- Michael Pryce
- Narrator
- Finlay Robertson
- Publisher
- Penguin Books Ltd
- Publish Date
- 27 August 2026
- Run Time
- 12 hours 58 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
What to expect
THE FASCINATING AND UNEXPECTED STORY OF THE ICONIC HARRIER JUMP JET, AND THE BRITISH ENGINEER WHO BUILT IT
Victory in the Falklands War made the Harrier’s name as a world-beating British icon, as capable of giving the enemy a bloody nose as it was of thrilling the crowds at airshows with its thunderous aerial ballet. Its failure seemed inconceivable.
But that’s not the real story of the Harrier.
From its inception, it faced an uncertain future. Designed to survive a nuclear war, it barely survived government cuts. And in an era of big, supersonic, fighters, the little jump jet was too often dismissed as a novelty.
The Harrier’s designer, Ralph Hooper, knew that the naysayers were as wrong as the digital data that failed to produce a working rival to his little jump jet. He saw what the computers could not. Hooper’s masterpiece was born of instinct and feel. And, from day one, was nurtured by American confidence in his unique creation.
Rich with revelatory detail, Jump Jet tells the inspiring story of the Harrier’s unlikely triumph, but also reveals for the first time the inside story of Ralph Hooper’s revolutionary design for the Harrier’s successor. And uncovers how Hooper, discarded at home by the company whose reputation he helped cement, was called back to save the day when America’s own troubled jump jet was on life support.
This is the real story of a British flying legend, and of the man who made it.
© Michael Pryce 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
Critics Review
-
A fascinating, insightful and revealing history of this iconic British jet.
John Nichol, bestselling author of Spitfire and Blitz
-
An engineering marvel, the Harrier is a flying machine that seems to defy logic. Through a rich cast of characters and page-turning narrative, Michael Pryce reveals how, while rival jump jet designers pinned their hopes on data and analysis, and failed, the brilliance of the Harrier was born of human ingenuity, creativity and intuition. A superb book
Rory Sutherland, Author of Alchemy
-
Rich in character, technical intrigue and moments of genuine wonder … Pryce has achieved something rare: a book about aerospace engineering that reads like a thriller … as exciting and bizarre as the Harrier itself
Joe Coles, Hush-Kit
User Reviews
No reviews yet.
Details
- Author
- Michael Pryce
- Narrator
- Finlay Robertson
- Duration
- 12 hours 58 minutes
- Release Date
- 27 August 2026
- ISBN
- 9781405985468
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Penguin Books Ltd
- Genre
- Aerospace and aviation technology, Aircraft and aviation, Military vehicles and transport of air, land and sea, Military history
Synopsis
THE FASCINATING AND UNEXPECTED STORY OF THE ICONIC HARRIER JUMP JET, AND THE BRITISH ENGINEER WHO BUILT ITVictory in the Falklands War made the Harrier’s name as a world-beating British icon, as capable of giving the enemy a bloody nose as it was of thrilling the crowds at airshows with its thunderous aerial ballet. Its failure seemed inconceivable.But that’s not the real story of the Harrier.From its inception, it faced an uncertain future. Designed to survive a nuclear war, it barely survived government cuts. And in an era of big, supersonic, fighters, the little jump jet was too often dismissed as a novelty.The Harrier’s designer, Ralph Hooper, knew that the naysayers were as wrong as the digital data that failed to produce a working rival to his little jump jet. He saw what the computers could not. Hooper’s masterpiece was born of instinct and feel. And, from day one, was nurtured by American confidence in his unique creation.Rich with revelatory detail, Jump Jet tells the inspiring story of the Harrier’s unlikely triumph, but also reveals for the first time the inside story of Ralph Hooper’s revolutionary design for the Harrier’s successor. And uncovers how Hooper, discarded at home by the company whose reputation he helped cement, was called back to save the day when America’s own troubled jump jet was on life support.This is the real story of a British flying legend, and of the man who made it.© Michael Pryce 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026
About xigxag
xigxag is an independent, UK-based audiobook platform and the UK's only B Corp certified audiobook company. We offer nearly 150,000 audiobooks, all with professional human narration. No AI-generated voices. xigxag is rated an Ethical Consumer Best Buy for audiobooks and a top-rated ethical bookshop.
There is no subscription. You buy the audiobooks you want, you own them permanently, and prices start at $13.95. The more you listen over the year, the less you pay per book, and there is always a selection in Listen for Less from $7.95. You can also send audiobooks as gifts using our audiobook gift cards or in-app gifting.
Every audiobook on xigxag has honest reviews covering both the book and the narration, and our community features make it easy to share what you are listening to, discover what others recommend, and find your next listen.
Download or stream on iOS, Android, or in your browser. Browse the full catalogue at xigxag.co.uk.