Aviation Century The Early Years

The illustrated history of the 20th century's most compelling invention.

Powered flight freed humanity from earthly constraints and revolutionized the world in countless ways -- technologically, militarily, sociologically, economically and politically.

Aviation Century The Early Years covers the period from 1900 to 1939, exploring the eternal fascination with flight, the events surrounding the Wright brothers' and other flying pioneers' adventurous first flights, the dramatic development of military aviation brought about by the First World War, and the rise of commercial aviation. This volume of the Aviation Century series also looks at the great individuals who created the world's aviation industries, including Santos-Dumont, Farman, Bleriot, Caproni, Curtiss, and AV Roe.

Top aviation photographer Dan Patterson's photographs of preserved and restored aircraft in museum and private collections combine with rare archival photographs to make this the best book on early aviation available anywhere.

The first in a six volume illustrated history of aviation covers 1900 to 1939 featuring numerous photographs: rare archival and new detailed photographs of museum aircraft. It covers all aspects of aviation and includes short biographies of major figures.

Greg M. Romaneck - Children's Literature

On December 17, 1903 at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, the Wright brothers staged the first successful flight of a heavier-than-air aircraft. That test flight opened the curtain to a century in which air travel became a common feature of daily life. In The Early Years Ron Dick and Dan Peterson kick off an ambitious five-volume history of aviation in the twentieth century. In this exhaustive work the authors combine a highly detailed and well-researched text with an array of breathtaking illustrations. Indeed, it is often the illustrations featuring period photographs and drawings that capture the reader's attention to the highest degree. Here, the story of aviation's initial evolution is presented in three distinct parts. First, the creators of this fascinating book recount the pioneering efforts of aviators such as the Wright brothers, Louis Bleriot, and Gianni Caproni. Then, the authors turn their attention to an extensive recounting of the role aircraft played in the fighting of World War I. Finally, the authors' focus on the emergence of commercial airlines during the all too brief inter-war period. In each of these three chapters the authors show both a steady literary hand and an eye for exciting detail. This is the story of fighter pilots, barnstormers, and those men and women who were internally driven to overcome mankind's inability to take off and fly. Their story is a brilliant one and it is quite well told in this impressive volume. 2003, Boston Mills Press, Ages 14 up.

Air Vice-Marshal Ron Dick served with the Royal Air Force for 38 years, flying 60 different types of aircraft. He has co-authored five books with Dan Patterson, including Hurricane, Lancaster, Messerschmitt Bf 109, and American Eagles. He lives in Woodbridge, Virginia.

Dan Patterson is one of the world's leading aviation photographers. His images are featured in 12 books including Cockpit, Gunner, Lancaster, Messerschmitt Bf 109, Spitfire, Hurricane, and American Eagles. He lives in Dayton, Ohio.

Amanda Wright Lane is the great-grandniece of Orville Wright.