Customer Reviews

American Flight Jackets: A History of U.S. Flyers Jackets from World War II to Desert Storm

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Perhaps I enjoyed this book so much because of the fact that it's main focus is the WWII era of flight jackets and that is my favorite area as well. If you want historical jackets (KOREA AND WWII), get this book, but if you want just modern jackets then shop elsewhere.

If I had to be picky about the book, I would have to say that there were too many blood chits on jackets pictured and not enough pin-up work, but that's only if I had to be picky. The authors did their homework for this book as they don't just give you tons of photographs (BY THE WAY, THERE ARE TONS OF PHOTOGRAPHS) but also chronicle the jacket's history and when possible, the owner's history as well.

Fantastic layouts as the information is presented in a very professional and orderly way. They break down the jackets by theater as there's a section on the CBI theater, the European Theater, Korean theater, etc. Good paper and a nice sized book.

A bit on the pricey side but I still got it and I would still recommend it to the hardcore fan of the subject. May be too much cash for the casual fan.

If you are interested in flight jackets, their design, styles and art work, then this book is for you. There are literally hundreds of colour and black and white photographs of aviator leather jackets. World War Two jackets are covered in detail as are Korean and Vietnam period flight jackets. The book is well set out, has large high resolution photographs and is a well constructed hardcover. The only fault I could find with the book is that in many of the photographs it fails to identify the jacket type and specification. It also does not deal with jacket construction or design. As with many of Maguire's books it has excellent reference photographs and information on who used or wore the artical in question, but fails to provide detailed information on the item other than the basics. Still, it is worthwhile addition to a library, although the book is expensive.

The reason I ordered this book is very simple: I'm an incurable nostalgic. Although I was born in a year (1960) not even close to the era from the great flight jackets, my interest has been growing since I started collecting memorabilia. (Books, magazines, newspapers, etc. from the period). As the owner of a (replica) A-2 jacket I decided I wanted to know more about them. This book has provided me with an excellent insight in the era and the men that wore the jackets. The sub-title promises a time span, roughly, from WWI to Desert Storm and although the emphasis is on WWII, the book delivers. Flight jacket buff and novice (like me) alike, this work takes you on a sentimental journey through the very interesting world of the American flight jacket. About one thousand pictures, most of them in colour and with great detail, show the flight jacket not just as a utilitarian garment but first and foremost as a means of expression and emotion. And that's why the authors shy away from quoting prices and don't talk about `market value'. Because some unscrupulous traders do not care about the intrinsic value but go for cold, hard cash, many jackets have been torn from their historical context and thus are lost. Not so in this book. Page after page of jackets, jacket art and the men who owned them. But not only leather jackets. Also all the other materials used in jackets are shown. (After the 50's, many jackets were made of other materials than leather). And some of the smaller details, like the lucky bells and the dinky whistles that some pilots used to hang from the collar hook of their jackets make even more interesting reading. The only thing I miss, is a summary of jacket manufacturers and some more technical details about the jackets themselves. Also, if you don't like reading a lot, this is a book for you. For all of you who are interested in a very special part of American heritage, or just want to know more about the flight jacket, this is required reading. To me: a must have.

This is a fun book. Its not what I would call a serious history, but it is a great photo album of original A2 jackets. I enjoy owning it for the nostalgia value.

The title of this work is a bit of s mis-nomer. Webster's defines history as a "chronological record of significant events (as affecting a nation or institution) often including an explanation of their causes." The only part of that definition met is that the photos of flight jackets are presented in chronological order from the First World War to the Gulf Wars. There is no attempt to describe why or how the designs were arrived at for the various types of jackets depicted.

On the other hand, the photographs are absolutely magnificent. If you own a repro jacket of any of the types shown - the A-2 dominates to be sure - then this book is an excellent style-guide.