Air Power in the Age of Total War [Paperback]

John J. Buckley (Author), John Buckley (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 025321324X | ISBN-13: 978-0253213242 | Publication Date: March 1, 1999

A fascinating study of the changing military role of air power in the twentieth century, this book examines the sensational impact of the Great War, the pioneering work of air power theorists and visionaries in the interwar period, the air arms race, the SecondWorld War in Europe and the Far East, and finally, the post-war period.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'The book is a fine introduction to air power in the 20th century and contains an excellent bibliography of works in English.' R. Higham, Choice --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

John Buckley is Lecturer in History at the University of Wolverhampton.

Product Details

• Paperback: 315 pages
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 025321324X
• ISBN-13: 978-0253213242
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #912,425 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Overview of a Much Misstated History, August 16, 2010

By 

Tom Diaz (Washington, DC USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Air Power in the Age of Total War (Paperback)

This is an excellent, thoughtful, and thorough summary of the history of air power. Prof. Buckley artfully and succinctly weaves the national strategies, technological, and aeronautical industry capabilities of the major air power countries (and their respective and often competing air services) into a coherent story of the progression of air warfare from balloons to Desert Storm, puncturing a number of conventionally-accepted myths along the way. This is not a treatise on hardware, but on the often conflicting expectations and capabilities of air power over 50 years of modern warfare.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Historical Account of Air Warfare, November 24, 2004

By 

Mark Fafard "fafm0001" (St Augustine, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Air Power in the Age of Total War (Paperback)

John Buckley's Air Power In The Age Of Total War, determines that aeronautical technology is what allows for a climax in `total war'. The author describes total war as the expansion of battlefield strategy onto the urban sectors of enemy territory. Total war has two primary effects. Bringing air war tactics to the home front creates both physical and psychological disruption to the enemy's war efforts. Though some of the material can be dry at times, it is necessary information to include in supporting the book's thesis and providing the historical evolution of `strategic' air warfare. As well, targeting industrialization destroys the enemy's war economy by severing military life lines. Throughout his work, Buckley maintains a focus on a clear thesis. Furthermore, he summarizes his argument through the use of an effective title.

4 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Academic on War, December 23, 1999

By 

Frank E. Keyes, Jr. (Senior Editor, TRW) (Sierra Vista, Arizona) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Air Power in the Age of Total War (Library Binding)

A rarity in academic books, "Air Power in the Age of Total War" is insightful, clear, and readable. Because of these three qualities, it is also delightful to read.