Lords of the Sky

If you are a fan of fighter pilots, vintage aircraft or just an all around military/history buff from World War I and II, Vietnam, Korean, and even our most recent military campaigns that involve aircraft, then trust me, you'll definitely want to get your hands on the latest book from Dan Hampton. Lords of the Sky takes readers into the history of aviation from the very first planes designed and attempted to be flown by such legends as the Wright Bros and to Etienne Montgofier who piloted the first balloon air reconnaissance in 1783. The books really takes to heart every conceivable well known plane, engines, and pilots and showcases them in a great chronological order that even a woman can understand and truly enjoy.

The book isn't just about aviation either, is illustrates the reason for needing air support and just what is required before you simply attach a machine gun on to the top of your barn storming bi-plane. The details of flight from thrust, lift, drag and weight are critical components we take for granted when we board our commercial airlines and head for our tropical vacation destination. We learn how weaponry was added to this planes, and what the limitations of getting them to work entailed. From learning how not to shoot your propeller off, the dealing with the elements inside an open cockpit and what to do when you are wits end in the midst of a dog fight.

It is hard to realize that in the years leading up to World War I, no one really gave serious thought to armed aircraft. In fact, the U.S. War Department turned the Wright brothers down on three occasions for a military version of their contraption, and the British secretary of war stated in 1910, "We do not consider that aeroplanes will be of any possible use for war purposes." We have certainly come a long way since that day. From fighting air battles with low visibility, freezing cold temperatures and your only weapon being a carefully aimed brick were just the things that pilots had to contend with. In fact in WWI, most pilots average life span was only 2 weeks.

From the Red Baron, to the Royal Air Force, to the Mitsubishi Zero to Supermarine Spitfire, to the P-51 Mustang to the Grumman Hellcat all the way to the F-16 and F-18 SuperHornets, the aviation lover is bound to find something in this 600+ page hardcover book. "The Lords of the Sky is about the fighter pilot. It begins with the Great War, as World War I was originally known because the sky over the trenches was the birthplace of the fighter pilot. The development of fighter aircraft and the combat pilot was more closely tied to ground actions during the Great War than was the case in subsequent conflict. Aviation services were a fledgling military branch and closely attached to their parent armies. So the ground situation is explained in some detail to give the reader an explanation of why fighter development occurred as it did." (author note).

I received Lords of the Sky by Dan Hampton compliments of William Morrow, a division of Harper Collins Publishers for my honest review. I did not receive any monetary compensation for a favorable review and the opinions expressed here are strictly my own, unless otherwise notated. Even though as a woman book reviewer, I love the way Dan wrote this book. It wasn't so over the top with airplane jargon and detailed descriptions that I would find myself completely lost. In fact, it was just the opposite. I felt myself drawn into the background of the military campaigns and didn't realize how difficult winning a war was and what some of the overwhelming odds faced our armed forces. It gave me a greater appreciation not only for our service men and women but for fighter pilots who are often faced with solo survival in the midst of high altitude flying over enemy lines. Well worth the money to invest in this book for fans of military, fighter pilots, and war heroes alike who are looking for something completely different. I rate this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars. Not since the invention of the encyclopedia, do you have so much information packed into one book!

For more information about Lords of the Sky, Dan Hampton, and where you can pick up a copy of this book today, please click on the links below:

Lords of the Sky by Dan Hampton

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To read more reviews on Lord of the Sky, please visit William Morrow's website.