From Publishers Weekly
This compelling history of presidential air transportation begins with the first president to fly (and to fly abroad, and to have a special plane): FDR. Eisenhower and Truman both had dedicated prop planes, but JFK took the leap into the jet age with the 707 that had the grimmest task of any Air Force One-bringing his body home from Dallas. Other Air Force Ones have had less well-known dramas: Lyndon Johnson's impromptu around-the-world flight in 1967, Richard Nixon's last departure from Washington and Bush's escorted, circuitous route home after 9/11. But mostly the 707s and their successors the 747s have made the president accessible to the world and vice versa, without having to be out of touch with his responsibilities or reducing his security. The price of this is imposing; a double-page spread shows the logistics of a major presidential journey abroad. Among any number of fascinating sidebars are digressions on the transportation of other chief executives and on the presidential helicopters. With well-chosen and well-reproduced photographs, the author, a curator at the National Air and Space Museum, has provided a sterling contribution to the history of both the presidency and of American aviation and even includes an annotated bibliography of print, visual and electronic media.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From School Library Journal
Grade 6 Up-An attractive cover is only the beginning of an interesting and informative presentation by the curator of the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum. Divided into seven chapters, the text is basically a chronology of presidential travel. Brief mention is made of James Monroe's two treks by horseback through the northeastern states, and then through the South. The train later became the presidents' unofficial mode of long-distance transportation. Beginning with the Guess Where II used by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, the author describes the type, design, accommodations, and uses of the planes by each administration. Among those described are Sacred Cow, Independence, Columbine, and the various models known as Air Force One. Considerable space is devoted to how the interiors were redesigned to suit the personality of each leader. Double-columned text, sidebars, detailed captions, and wide margins result in a pleasing format. The text is generously illustrated with black-and-white vintage and color photos of all sizes. This title is not just a history of presidential aircraft, but is also a history of the presidency and how each plane played an important part in diplomatic and historical occasions, including the role of Air Force One on 9/11. A short epilogue lists where the retired planes may be viewed. Andrew Santella's Air Force One (Millbrook, 2003), which is much shorter, is for a younger audience, and focuses more on the planes than on history. However, it makes an excellent companion to this title. A first-class production.
Eldon Younce, Harper Elementary School, KSCopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
