From Publishers Weekly
This is a lavishly illustrated but somewhat perfunctory history of perhaps the most glamorous of the Armed Forces. The essays here, written by academics and military officers in the inelegant style of a Pentagon press briefing, follow the Air Force as it evolved from biplanes to ballistic missiles, and cover air campaigns from World War II through Operation Enduring Freedom. The articles are evasive, and can be a bit dull; administrative reshufflings are extensively covered, for example, but the fierce controversies surrounding the doctrine of strategic bombing and the Air Force's leveling of cities from Hiroshima to Hanoi get short shrift. Armchair aces will be somewhat disappointed by the focus on institutional history, which keeps the narrative more often at headquarters than in the cockpit. The few combat vignettes are perfunctory, and more attention is given to the development of mid-air refueling than to dog-fighting tactics. And while the book includes many full-color reproductions of sleek warplanes, the technical data-the details of speed, climb rate, payload and armament that entrance fetishists-is skimpy and badly organized. This tome is impressive looking, but may fail to satisfy either the historically minded reader or the military aviation buff. Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.


Book Description
Now, more than 50 years after its founding, the United States Air Force celebrates its spirit and essence in this deluxe-format book. Essays on Air Force history and today’s aviators focus not only on the planes, helicopters, rockets, and technology but also on the special people that make it all work. Hundreds of full-color and vintage photography, portraits, recruiting posters, and historically inspired paintings complement the informative text. Written by a team of qualified historians, specialized authors, and associated experts, The Air Force links pilots past and present to America’s first brave flyers, the Wright brothers.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Now, more than 50 years after its founding, the United States Air Force celebrates its spirit and essence in this deluxe-format book. Essays on Air Force history and today's aviators focus not only on the planes, helicopters, rockets, and technology but also on the special people that make it all work. Hundreds of full-color and vintage photography, portraits, recruiting posters, and historically inspired paintings complement the informative text. Written by a team of qualified historians, specialized authors, and associated experts, The Air Force links pilots past and present to America's first brave flyers, the Wright brothers.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly