Hardbound. History of Air Racing between 1928 and 1939. 487 pages.

In the decades leading up to World War II, air races were often the proving grounds for radical new aviation principles and designs. The people and machines of air racing during this period made tremendous strides and contributed incredible new technologies, aerodynamics, powerplants, and airframes. This unique look at the key players and aircraft of the early 20th century's great air races examines and explains how innovative racing technologies found their way into future fighter and passenger aircraft. Coverage of exciting races like the Schneider Trophy, Pulitzer Trophy Race, and the National Air Races, an in-depth look at their contributions to aeronautics, exclusive line drawings illustrating the technologies, and archival photography make this a must for air racing fans and aviation enthusiasts.

"Readers are brought from commercial air transport's very beginnings to the zenith of what is fondly referred to as flying in the "Golden Age of Air Transport," when jetliners were still on the drawing board or in early production, and still a dream to come for passengers and crew."--Provided by publisher.

At the beginning of the twentieth century the skies presented a new frontier, one that attracted daredevils, businessmen, politicians, and engineers enticed by a new form of transportation. Louisiana entrepreneurs and pilots proved instrumental in ushering in the Golden Age of Aviation. They advanced aircraft design, revolutionized aerial crop dusting, pioneered airmail routes, pushed the limits of stunt flying, and entertained spectators with air races. A pilot and freelance writer with more than twenty years of experience in the aviation industry, Vincent P. Caire chronicles the state's history of flight in 196 vintage and contemporary photographs, many never-before published. Photos of early aviation pioneer John Moisant, air racing champion General James Doolittle, barnstormer Roscoe Turner, aircraft designer James Wedell, and founder of Delta Airlines C. E. Woolman reflect Louisiana's zeal for aeronautics. Caire explains how the efforts of Senator Huey P. Long and Harry P. Williams, co-owner of the Wedell-Williams Air Service in Patterson, Louisiana, influenced the development of viable airmail routes throughout the southeastern United States. Rarely seen photographs depict the Art Deco elegance of the first modern, multioperational passenger terminal in the nation -- Shushan Airport in New Orleans. A captivating visual tour spanning one hundred years, Louisiana Aviation celebrates the state's air history, evident in Louisiana's seventy airports, 5,000 aircraft, 7,000 pilots, and numerous airshows in operation today.

The photos in this edition are black and white. Revised and updated edition. A data bank of 4 & 5 view drawings covering over 245 of the most famous aircraft in the history of air racing. Coverage from 1909-1994. Includes technical specs, performance figures, paint schemes, etc.

From NPR correspondent O' Brien comes this thrilling Young Readers' edition that celebrates a little-known slice of history wherein tenacious, trailblazing women braved all obstacles to achieve greatness in the skies. Photos.