Aviation Books

I think this is a great book to read for the sole purpose of wanting to know more about the Flying Tigers or the AVG . I have been tryin to read this book for mounths but I always get side tracked by a school report of reading assignment but I finally finished the book and I love it.

Chuck Baisden's story of his true life adventure is great reading for those interested in what it was really like during WWII. Many historians have a way of writing that may give us a more complete picture, but I like the direct honesty of someone telling us about events who was actually there and actually did the things that made history. Chuck Baisden's contribution to our freedom in this country makes for a great story and makes me feel grateful.

Chuck Baisden shares the exciting adventure of his participation in the American Volunteer Group (Flying Tigers)who, under the leadership of Claire Lee Chennault, inflicted the first reverses on the military juggernaut of Japan. After the disbandment of the AVG, Chuck reenlisted in the US Army Air Corp and returned to Asia as a member of the First Air Commandos taking the battle behind enemy lines. His career continues up into the jet age as well. Mr. Baisden's experiences are real life adventure and related in a wry and unself-conscious manner. A very entertaining and informative book covering little known operations in a remote theater of war. The book's full of great pictures, too.

This is on of the most infomative and accurate books I've ever seen on the tri-plane. The color plates are very good references for avid modelers such as myself. I am more than happy with this product.

This is a very good book. If you are a modeller, so buy it. If you, like me, is just interested on this subject, buy it as well. Comprehensive photo material and superb color plates. Unlike in Albatros Aces, this time Mr. Franks has added a good number of accounts, some personal, of the events about the units and the men who fought in and against the famous, although short lived, Fokker triplane, the "Red Baron" included. Excellent.

Another great job by Osprey. Very good info on the Dr.1 and its pilots. 40 profiles, showing many top views of wings and stabilizer/elevators. Shows a few cowls, also. Good index. Good for the price.

NOTE: There is a great deal of debate over the colors of WW1 German aircraft, because all the photos are black and white! I would say this book chooses some colors that might disagree with the more knowledgeable WW1 aircraft enthusiast. Remember that this book is a basic review of the Dr.1, and it does not spend 10 pages looking into what color Voss' cowl was, whether or not Lothar von Richthofen's upper wing was yellow.

This book tells the story of the build up of the USAAF training program in the U.S. prior to and during WW II. Each chapter focuses on an airbase to tell part of that story. For example, the first chapter (Atterbury Army Air Field)tells how they built these "temporary" bases in about six months time. Other chpaters tell about basic flight training,(Coffeyville Army Air Field), B-17 pilot training,(Lockbourne Army Air Field), etc. Bases include, Freeman Field, Chanute Field, Smyrna Army Air Field, Ephrata Army Air Field, and Hendricks Field. In total 12 former training fields are detailed. To write the book, the author visited the fields, researched their history, and interviewed those who were there. The book has about 220 photos that show the fields activities,and the field as it was then and is now. The appendix lists the names and locations of about 700 Army Air Force installations in use in the U. S. during late 1943,early 1944. Not all installations are listed because the list would change each month.

Forgotten Fields is an excellent comprehensive study of an often overlooked portion of American history. Few people realize how many now vacant airfields in the U.S. were once home to hundreds of thousands of men and women as they trained to serve our country. The book is written in a very accessable style - not filled with data, but rather it is intended to serve as a reference guide and ultimately as a tribute to the men and women who sacrificed so much for our country. The book is filled with pictures, both from the 1940's and today, giving the reader a sense of what a vast undertaking it was to build our air forces in WWII. The appendix of the book lists USAAF airfields and approximate locations. The number of airfields is astounding! This is a simply wonderful book for anyone interested in US history, particularly aviation history. It's amazing to realize that our victory in WWII was started in our very own backyards!

If you're looking for an interesting and informative summary of WWII air training bases and the people who lived and worked there, this book is the one for you! I've read it cover to cover many times, and see something new each time. A must-read for all aviation buffs - and a bargain to boot! Buy this book!

Wiley was only 36 when he & Will Rogers died in Alaska in 1935. But in those 36 yrs,he packed the adventures of 3 lifetimes. He was honored at the white House by 2 presidents, cheered by millions al over the world, but in the privacy of his own thoughts he always asked the question, "Is that all there is?"

Bob Burke as set an example for writers and researchers that will be hard to match in his wonderful work on Wiley Post. Aviation buffs, Oklahomans and anyone who appreciates a good book that is hard to put down will appreciate "From Oklahoma to Eternity: The Life of Wiley Post and The Winnie Mae". In addition to his excellent journalistic skills, Burke proves himself to be a superb researcher with a desire to mix truth, fact and adventure with a great story about a great man. I have added this book to my personal list of all time favorites and will look forward to more works by Bob Burke. It is so very refreshing to read history (I am a historian) written honestly without loads of mistakes and sloppy research. Keep that word processor fired up Mr. Burke!

What can be said about the most factual biography written about Wiley Post. Kudos to Bob for telling the story of Wiley Post with the utmost accuracy and authenticity. His work brings to the reader a factual and conceise history of one of the worlds greatest avaitors. Once you start you want to read it from cover to cover. For avaition buffs this is a must read. Not only does it give a great deal of insight to the mentality of a fearless flyer, but provides the reader a look at an uneducated man who by dogged detrmination and force of will, circumnavigated the globe and designed the prototype of the modern space suite.

This is a great book. It contains many high-quality photographs, and provides a good overview of the many types and variations of gear the AAF used. An excellent value.

A great collectors guide. Plenty of clear pictures giving a good coverage of WW2 aviation items. Additional text isn't extensive or going into much detail. No stich counting as such on A-2 jackets, that kind of information must be found in other books like "Hell bent for leather" or other flight gear books. The wonderfull photo's are the strong point of this book and personaly I was waiting for such a book for a long time.

There are at least a couple of books devoted to the subject of WWII combat flight gear. Taking nothing away from the others, Gear Up! is a superb reference. Every page is crammed with excellent quality photographs, both period and recent, most in full color depicting the authentic gear in use and on display. The depth of coverage obviously reflects the author's enthusiasm for the subject: sixty pages on head gear alone--from helmets to sunglasses, fortyfive pages on jackets and trousers, chapters on gloves, footwear, paper items, flak armor, ground crew gear...very little is overlooked.

This is a pictorial history. The text is limited and is not intended to be an exhaustive treatise on the innumerable variations of individual items of gear. But, anyone with an interest in WWII aerial warfare will not be disappointed with this fine reference.

If you want to read about Gemini, this is by far THE book to read!. EXTREME Detail on everything Gemini, and tons and tons of fascinating photos. Highly recommended!

Gemini was an incredibly important and successful program, but unfortunately is forever cast into the shadows by the even greater achievements of Apollo. There have been several other publications written on the subject of Gemini, but most are official NASA histories that are extremely difficult (and expensive) to obtain. In this book David Shayler documents all aspects of Project Gemini from inception to conclusion. He details not only the technical aspects of the Gemini spacecraft (and spacecraft subcomponents) but discusses the development, testing, and capabilities of the Titan, Atlas, and Agena vehicles which were so crucial in obtaining program goals. Each mission is discussed in detail, and there are many illustrations (including some I have never seen anywhere else), tables, and graphs providing most any information desired.

The book is lengthy, but is never boring, and I reveled in the thorough treatment given to this crucial program, a program that truly was a giant step to the moon. My only critiques of the book are fairly miniscule. There are numerous typographical errors in the text, most of which are quite obvious, so I am rather surprised they slipped through proofreading. There are also a couple of insignificant errors in the crew biographies (notably regarding Armstrong's post-NASA teaching career) that don't dramatically detract from the book as a whole, but would be good to correct in future editions.

I highly recommend this book, and salute David Shayler for writing such an outstanding book on such a critical program.

I have always been interested in the Gemini program, yet little information seemed to exist about it. This book is incredibly comprehensive. It does not read like a novel like Andrew Chaikins, Man on the Moon. It is divided into indepth sections on the booster, the capsule, EVA, recovery, etc. Don't get me wrong, it captures the drama in each mission well but it is not always approached in a sequential manner regarding missions. It reminds me of the Apogee book series on each mission but this has all Gemini related topics rolled into one book.

If you like to read about the exact reasoning behind scrubbed launches, every success and failure related to hardware like the Ageena docing module or boosters, the issues faced on each EVA or which suit was used on which mission, how they differed and why then this is your book.

The imagery and interviews are awe inspiring! If WWII aviation is your thing, then this is your book. Get it now.

The photography alone makes this a 10 as far as WWII aviation books go, but this book has a lot more including snipits of history and some of the most meaningful quotes from WW2 heroes and leaders.

Dear Buyers,

This has to be the most beautiful documentation of World War II aviation. Looking at the amazing pictures, I think of my days flying Hellcats in the Pacific. This book brings tears to my eyes reading Phil Makanna's beautiful writing. This book is nothing short of superb. Thank You.

Gift of Wings is perhaps the most powerful and inspiring of the hundreds of books I've read. The fascinating story of a wheelchair traded for wings on 5000 miles journey across Canada. Breathtaking and surprisingly original aerial photographs of a stunningly diversified landscape . Beautiful, philosophical, witty, poetic and joyful. A book with a soul that is sure to touch yours.

Carl Hiebert has freed not only himself but all those who feel the handicap of wingless birth, to soar and glide through the beautiful spaciousness of Canada. The fascinating story of his injury and recovery of spirit to leave the wheel chair behind as he climbed into the skys of Canada with camera in hand, will forever challenge and delight me, an aviator and current healer of injured bodies and minds. "Breathtaking" is a real understatement for this story of beauty

This book is incredible. I have bought it as a gift and have not had time to read all the comments and description at the beginning, but have gone through all the pictures and most of their descriptions... It is WONDERFUL. I will get many more copies to give to friends and family, the pictures blow your mind, and the descriptions are concice, short, and most of them are funny too. A great buy.

This book introduce the commercial aviation industry, its characteristics regarding operational, finnancial, and global aspects. Very useful for economic and marketing students.

strategic group map of the airlines company. which airlines company is strongest, and which is worse.

I find Global Airlines a 'must' for anybody entering the airline industry. Especially the information given on the various CRS's is a fine tool to help understand why the CRS/GDS world came to be the way it is and why it simply has to change and where it probaly will change to be in the future. I bought this book in 1996 and it is still a great tool in 1998!

From humankind's early aspirations to fly by flapping wings of wax and feathers to the roar and flap-flap-flap of today's sophisticated helicopters in war, civilian transport, construction, logging, mercy flights and search and rescue, Jim Chiles pens a sophisticated and entertaining history of "The God Machine." All of the technical matter necessary to understand choppers, how they developed and how they fly, comes clearly and easily to the non-mechanical readers as well to helicopter engineers, thanks to Chiles' skilled exposition and his deep research into the wingless mechanisms we often see in daily life, news reports, and adventure films. "The God Machine" promises to add value to any library, including those in homes where parents leave good books out to tempt offspring into reading and therefore expanding their mental life. In short, "The God Machine" is a fact book for all, a worthy read on a fascinating subject, a book that uplifts your knowledge and raises your awareness of one of humanity's engineering marvels.

James R. Chiles' The God Machine takes an important place among a very small literature on a vital piece of modern technology - the helicopter.

Writings about or involving helicopters are plentiful. A Google search using helicopter and history turns up more than 10 million hits. Doing the same for just books in Amazon.com turns up over 12,000 and almost a thousand at Barnes & Noble. However, when you try to find just those that make any real effort to cover the breadth and depth of the subject -- the ideas underlying, development, application, and impact of this technology - numbers drop to a handful. Among those, most are either dated - which only takes a few years, given the pace of change in the world -- or focus solely on military aspects. So, even if it did nothing more than just try to cover the waterfront, The God Machine would be a valuable book.

In fact, Chiles has gone well beyond that. He's presented key issues and a fair amount of technical information in terms that almost any lay reader can understand. An example is his discussion of the problem of controlling a helicopter in a hover - the invaluable characteristic that distinguishes it from almost all other aircraft. He explains how this problem frustrated early visionaries and inventors and how it was finally overcome - down to the specific hardware involved and how it works this magic.

In taking a broad view, Chiles also discusses the huge gaps between vision and reality that have been a persistent part of the story. One of these gaps involved the idea of a simple, cheap device that would displace the family car and reduce increasing congestion on highways. This vision butted against the reality of a technology that defied finding a practical combination of cost, capability, and reliability that could put the product in the hands of the masses. He shows how these same factors restricted ownership and use to the wealthy, companies, and public agencies meeting special needs. He shows how various inventors tried, always unsuccessfully, to overcome these obstacles.

Chiles also shows how the helicopter achieved a unique place in meeting special needs - especially for the military and in such activities as arctic exploration, servicing offshore oil platforms, civilian search-and-rescue, and real-time news gathering. He also shows how evolving social and political contexts have shaped attitudes toward helicopters - especially opposition to their noise, as well as concerns about government spying on private citizens.

Finally he shows, as in the case of helicopters rescuing mountain climbers in Alaska, how availability of this technology has sometimes led to a false sense of security and personal recklessness that the public winds up paying the bills for.

While this book lacks citation to sources for specific information, as one who has worked extensively on history involving helicopters, I know that Chiles has also made accessible to general readers information found only in some rare and expensive sources. Beyond that, he's drawn on interviews with and direct observation of helicopter pilots and users - to the extent of having learned to fly a helicopter himself. Anecdotes flowing from these sources give his writing an immediate, human touch that increases entertainment, as well as informational value.

No book will ever be the last word on rotorcraft, but The God Machine certainly meets a real need. If you want to or can buy only one book on helicopters, this is the one.

[Dr. James W. Williams is the former U.S. Army Aviation Branch Historian and author of A History of Army Aviation: From Its Beginnings to the War on Terror (2005)]

Mr. Chiles has produced one of the finest books on a very intergal part of our society. I know how important the helicopter is as I flew many hours in them while in Vietnam as a 19 year old Airborne Infantryman working for a Long Range Patrol Team, 1966 & 1967. Mr. Chiles' research was very thorough as he provides background and insight into this amazing piece of aeronautical wizadry. I for one am very impressed and appreciative of Mr. Chiles approach to the subject as the helicopter has changed so many aspects of our lives. Good book, one to own and well worth the time to read. Thank you Mr. Chiles for all the hard work.