The Smithsonian Book of Flight by Walter Boyne

An account of the history of flight, chronicling the rapid evolution of aviation technology, from the Wright Flyer of 1903 to Paul MacCready's "Gossamer Condor", from the first balloons and gliders to Concorde. The work covers the effects of new technology on aviation design and also the strategic aspects of air power; the social, cultural and political impact of aviation technology; and the growth and recent re-retrenchment of the general aviation community. The author has written extensively on aviation subjects including "Boeing B-52: A Documentary History", "The Jet Age" and, with Steven Thompson, "The Wild Blue".