Flight: The Complete History

by R.G. Grant

Overview

From the early pioneers to the latest spaceflight technology, this groundbreaking book charts the inspirational story behind humankind's conquest of the skies. In the 100 years since the Wright brothers' first powered flight, aviation has witnessed many memorable events. From record-breaking flights and aerial warfare, to advances in aircraft design and the race for space, Flight covers the most memorable moments in the history of aviation. Describing the feats of the brave men and women who piloted the early flying machines, to the pioneers of long-distance flight and the test pilots who ushered in the jet age, Flight is a gripping narrative of humankind's quest to conquer the skies and explore space. Loaded with spectacular full-color photographs, dramatic first-hand accounts, and fact-filled profiles on a huge range of aircraft, this is an enthralling account of a century of innovation and adventure.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780756619022
Publisher:	DK
Publication date:	03/19/2007
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	452
Product dimensions:	8.41(w) x 10.13(h) x 1.13(d)
Age Range:	9 - 12 Years

About the Author

R.G. Grant is a history writer who has published more than 20 books, many of them dealing with aspects of military conflict. He has written on the American Revolution, World War I, and World War II, and is the author of DK’s Battle, Warrior, and Flight: 100 Years of Aviation.

Table of Contents

Foreword     6
Age of the Pioneers     8
The Prehistory of Flight     10
Fight to be First     20
Flying Takes Off     38
Aircraft Go to War     66
Working for the Generals     68
Knights of the Air     80
Zeppelins and Bombers     94
The Golden Age     106
Blazing the Trail     108
Passengers Now Boarding     132
Flying Boats and Airships     152
The Shadow of War     166
Battle for the Skies     186
Command of the Air     188
Battle for Britain     206
Air War at Sea     218
Death From the Air     236
Cold War, Hot War     260
Beyond the Sound Barrier     262
Cold War Warriors     274
Air Power in Action     296
Hi-Tech Warfare     316
Space Travel     332
Journey to the Moon     334
Shuttle to Space     358
Shrinking World     374
Jet Passenger Travel     376
Fear of Flying     402
Small is Beautiful     412
The Future of Flight     424
Glossary     440
Index     444
Acknowledgments     451

Editorial Reviews

In the inimitable DK style, Flight: 100 Years of Aviation presents aerial flight from its early pioneers to the latest space flights. This attractive volume offers a text of 200,000 words, enhanced by more than 1,500 photos and illustrations. The extensive coverage of both military and nonmilitary aircraft ensure that the book will appeal to aviation enthusiasts of all persuasions.

bn.com

Produced in association with the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum, this volume of capsule histories and archival images traces the history of flight with all the sepia-toned authority of a public broadcasting documentary. Offering thumbnail profiles of aviation heroes and inventors and a plethora of diagrams and photos, the oversized tome straddles the line between something to put on a coffee table and something to give to a panting, preteen armchair pilot. Sections on space travel, commercial flight and early daredevilry fascinate, but take second stage to the story of flight as it interweaves with a century-long history of war-conflict being the catalyst for much of aviation's greatest innovations and adventures. Most of the book's pages recount bombing raids and dogfights through the decades, but others showcase popular, pioneering or just plain weird designs (the part-plane, part-car Aerocar, the miniscule Sky Louse, the capsule-shaped Gee Bee Super Sportster and the Caproni Ca 60 Transaero, an eight-engine triplane). This hefty volume is a flight museum sandwiched between two covers: careful, informative and educational-and a bit overwhelming. (Sept.) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.

Publishers Weekly

This sweeping compendium of milestones in 20th-century aviation history is published in association with the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, which may account for its rigorous attention to detail. Grant (The Berlin Wall) offers a wealth of supportive information to complement his engagingly written text. Succinct offset biographies sketch the lives and contributions of aviation's pioneers (both men and women), scientists, promoters, businessmen, barnstormers, racers, designers and manufacturers, aces (from World War I to Vietnam), and astronauts and cosmonauts. Fascinating sidebars also treat early flight, assorted inventions, famous air races (1910-39), the gradual transformation of the role of the fighter pilot, the evolution of aerial weaponry, training programs, navigational technology, aerial exploration, landmark altitude and long-distance flights, Zeppelin travel, power plants, Hitler's jet and rocket programs, the breaking of the sound barrier, the Cold War space race, and America's current shuttle program. The impressive illustrations include over 300 gorgeous, full-color profiles of the world's major military and civilian aircraft and space vehicles. The result is a work of greater overall scope and depth than Bill Gunston's Aviation: The First 100 Years. Highly recommended for all military, aviation, and transportation collections and public libraries.-John Carver Edwards, Univ. of Georgia Libs., Cleveland Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

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