A Short History Of Air Power

by James L. Stokesbury

product_description

Genres: History, Aviation, Military Fiction

448 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1986

Reviews

[Curtiss · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good overview of the history and development of airpower from the Wright Bros. first flights at Kittyhawk, North Carolina, to the Royal Navy's use of Sea Harrier jump-jets in the conflict with Argentina over the Falkland Islands.

[Todd · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would make a passable "Part I" of the history of airpower, but it leaves much to be desired as an overall history. It goes in depth, almost too much in depth, into World War I-era airpower, even as the author continually reminded the reader of the limited impact of airpower on the outcome of events. He then glosses over the interwar period, not covering the important theories and developments except by briefly glossing over them. He then again analyzes airpower in great depth through World War II, though admittedly, there was a good deal of relevant material to write about (the War in the Pacific was ended by airpower dropping two atomic bombs, so one might say airpower finally came into its own). Then his writing about airpower through the postwar period was laughably short and superficial; Stokesbury needed not even bothered. He did not cover Cold War theories and practices for nuclear deterrence (countervalue vice counterforce, for instance). He glosses over the advent of the helicopter, briefly mentions its impact on troop movements, doesn't really look into the invention of the missile except to mention SAMs in the context of the 1973 Yom Kippur War and North Vietnam's air defenses. Being published in 1986, one can't fault Stokesbury for not covering the later Desert Storm, though obviously, it was pivotal in the history of airpower. Likewise, the use of lethal drones starting in Operation Enduring Freedom deserves a look of its own, manned combat aircraft becoming the horse cavalry of the 21st century. Crusade: The Untold Story of the Persian Gulf War provides a good coverage of the former, and is written in a much more interesting, almost breathless, style.

Stokesbury does OK in terms of writing the history itself. It is not terribly exciting to read, but it's not painfully dry either. The inclusion of photos and maps would have been a marked improvement. He does maintain a healthy skepticism throughout, and it does not read like a rah-rah airpower propaganda book. He makes a few insightful remarks of his own: "Ideas on the basis of which wars are fought are much harder to destroy than the men who are killed while proving them wrong." (p 25) When discussing Britain's decision not to steal Fokker's patents, Stokesbury notes, "in his [Fokker's] contract he had accorded Imperial Germany the exclusive right to the use of his interrupter gear, and when the War Office let this be known in Parliament, the matter was quickly shelved. Europeans might kill each other with great verve, but they did not steal each other's patents." (p 50) However, many of the other profound reflections found throughout are quotes from others, though still beneficial to the reader.

The work would have been better had Stokesbury limited himself to the period from the Wright brothers to the end of World War II, added to his section on the interwar period (especially more treatment on the development of theory and doctrine, and the back-and-forth among the proponents and opponents of airpower), and included some photos and maps. Still, not a bad read, and good especially to the reader looking to understand the use, impact, and limitations of airpower in the World Wars.

[Cole Schoolland · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slightly outdated. However, a very simple, concise, short history of air power. This book mainly focuses on interesting tidbits and technological innovation without getting into the politics/policy of history. A fun, quick read.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Been over this ground before nothing new here