The U. S. Air Force

School Library Journal

Gr 4-8-- After a brief introduction to the X-1, Ferrell offers a short history of early flight in this country, most of which can be found in any book on the early days of aviation. New information, however, is then offered throughout. Following chapters on enlistment, training, and academic life comes an array of descriptions of many of the major Air Force Commands; there are so many that casual readers may become bogged down. The well-organized text has a broad scope of information. Photographs appear on almost every page. The black-and-white pictures of early aviation days are typical of their vintage; most of the modern photos are full-color and of excellent quality. All captions complement the text. An appendix of plane classifications, rank insignia, and an organizational flow chart precedes the index. The quality of this title doesn't quite match that of the others in the series, but it is still worth purchasing for current general information about the U. S. Air Force. --Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KS