In the eighties the remains of a WWI Zeppelin is found at the bottom of Long Island Sound. The wreck must be salvaged for the new U.S. helium airship project – ‘Firedrake’ – and Major Bob Weston is given the task.

His fascination with airships stems from vivid childhood dreams of a WWI Zeppelin commander, Manfred Burk, whose ships are torched in terrifying raids over London. Bob discovers that Firedrake was made from materials and technology impossible at the time, and was apparently built by Lockheed, who have no record of it.

Finding that Manfred is real, still alive and sought by the Russians, Bob and his girlfriend, Susan set out to find him. He is the only man who can fly Firedrake.

Towards the end of WWI, Manfred spends his leave in Prussia with the aristocratic family of one of his officers. This family, many of them experts in disciplines then barely known, demand from him a commitment which will affect his destiny and the world’s.

Manfred is bound to them by his love for their daughter, Halgred, his ‘Death Maiden’ who, like Bob is present at the last when the Russians are closing in and Firedrake is ready to fly.

This unique book was first published in 1982 by Frederick Muller Ltd., London.