The SMITHSONIAN BOOK OF FLIGHT FOR YOUNG PEOPLE - Softcover

Grade 7 Up Man's pursuit of the dream of flight and his ceaseless efforts to improve the capabilties of flying machines in control, altitude, and speed are chronicled in this introductory history. Ballooning is included to the extent that this was the form of the earliest successes, and dirigibles are mentioned, but the account primarily outlines the development of winged flight. Emphasis is on the social, economic, political, and military forces as well as other factors that affected this development, as well as the changing views of the purposes of flightfrom the pure challenge of accomplishment to competitive racing and sideshow stunt flying to military applications and mass transportation. Flight in different periods is related partially through the stories of those involvedinventors, developers, designers, and pilots. The illustrations accentuate artistic and historic aspects rather than serve as a compendium of models. For example, the invention of adjustable propellers is mentioned but their technical advantage not explained, and some design improvements are noted but not pictured. These are not shortcomings, however, as such information is simply outside the scope of coverge. Students needing technical detail will find no shortage of other materials. This is for general readers who need a broader view of the history of flight. Dennis Ford, Junior Academy Library, Canandaigua, N.Y.
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Aviation did not begin with the Wright brothers in Kitty Hawk, but with the first balloons of the 1780s, and with the plans of early inventors, such as those of da Vinci. This large volume on the history of flight focuses on the importance of competition in the development of faster and bigger flying machines. The brothers who created the first working hot-air balloon were overtaken by the man who developed a hydrogen balloon; the Lillianthal brothers' work on gliders set the stage for the work of the Wright brothers, whose fierce protectiveness of patented innovations, in turn, forced others to discover new methods to control flight. This generative cycle repeats itself between rival researchers, companies and countries. The facts are all backed up with clear photos and excellent illustrations, and the author does not get bogged down in technical detail or endless lists of "firsts," nor does he skimp on intrigue. This is a very good, serious reference work on a topic that only becomes more interesting with study. Ages 8-12.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.