Flight of the Eagle (novel)

Flight of the Eagle is a historical novel by Swedish author Per Olof Sundman, first published in 1967. The novel fictionalizes the disastrous 1897 Swedish expedition to reach the North Pole by hot air balloon, led by engineer Salomon August Andrée.

The book details the meticulous planning of the expedition, Andrée's unwavering belief in its success, and the subsequent hardships faced by Andrée and his two companions, Nils Strindberg and Knut Frænkel, after the balloon crash-landed on the Arctic ice. Sundman’s narrative explores themes of ambition, hubris, technological limitations, and the psychological impact of isolation and extreme conditions on the human spirit.

Flight of the Eagle is noted for its meticulous research and its realistic portrayal of the Arctic environment. The novel avoids romanticizing the explorers, presenting them as flawed individuals grappling with unforeseen circumstances. Sundman masterfully combines historical fact with fictionalized elements to create a compelling and tragic account of the expedition's fate.

The novel was adapted into a Swedish film of the same name, directed by Jan Troell and released in 1982.