Graphic history of aviation, with a very enlightening text, and with photographs and captions that are a liberal education in themselves. First the opening chapters give one a better understanding of the problems facing the conquerors of the air; then a peep into the mysteries of why various types of airships and airplanes and their ilk behave as they do; next a diagram history of development and behavior. The bulk of the book however traces the history of balloons, of airships, of other types of rigid, non-rigid and semi-rigid airships, of heavier than air helicopters, autogiros, military, naval, private and commercial planes. Text, photographs and captions -- and a beautiful piece of book making.