Flying Machine (DK Eyewitness Books) [Hardcover]

Andrew Nahum (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up | Series: DK Eyewitness Books

New Look! Relaunched with new jackets and 8 pages of new text!

Here is a spectacular and informative guide to the fascinating world of aircraft. Superb color photographs offer a unique "eyewitness" exploration of the history of flight, as well as provide a close-up view of the many different kinds of aircraft in use today, from helicopters to hot-air balloons. See a Victorian steam-powered airplane, a World War I biplane, a jetliner in cross section, what the first pilots wore, how wings provide lift, and what's inside a "black box." Learn how a jet engine works, why early wings needed "doping", how to keep an airplane flying straight and level, and why modern airliners need pressurized cabins. Discover how wooden planes are constructed, what it was like to fly a biplane, how a plane lands and takes off, how a glider works, which plane could be carried on a car, how a helicopter flies, and much, much more.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 4 Up-- The unique, now familiar, series format puts the development of two familiar and popular technologies in center stage. Strikingly clear images leap from a white background; numerous captions and brief text encourage browsing over methodical exploration. The whole effect is made orderly by careful layout and unobtrusive black outlines around each spread. And each book's comprehensive index allows use as reference. Flying Machine highlights early balloons and birdlike aircraft and then follows the development of powered flight into contemporary times. Highly detailed, crisp photographs are a delight. Car has no true equal in its dynamic presentation and technical detail, and will truly entertain and inform anyone interested in automobiles. The Smithsonian Book of Flight for Young People (Aladdin, 1988) by Walter J. Boyne covers much the same ground, but with more text and fewer, slightly less eye-catching illustrations. Graeme Cook's Weird and Wonderful Aircraft (Enterprise, 1975; o.p.) is a lively supplement to the basics in Flying Machine. Both it and Car have a slightly British bias in models displayed, with significant European contributions acknowledged. American developments are given proper attention, but do not dominate the works. A wealth of fascinating pictures and facts to draw in any browser. --Ann G. Brouse, Steele Memorial Library, Elmira, NY
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

...a mini museum between the covers of a book. [Eyewitness series] -- The New York Times

These books' striking visual impact will draw in even the most casual readers. [Eyewitness series] -- School Library Journal --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 72 pages
• Publisher: DK CHILDREN (August 9, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756606802
• ISBN-13: 978-0756606800
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 8.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #689,641 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Terrific pictures, concise mini history of aviation., November 22, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Connecticut, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Flying Machine (Eyewitness Books (Knopf Library)) (Hardcover)

This book covers aviation from it's earliest beginnings. There are many books on this subject, but this one stands out.

The book is amazingly concise, and yet it covers all of the important developments in aviation. My experience as a lifelong aviation enthusiast and private pilot makes me a good judge of this material. This book is intended for kids, but it has something even and old "fly boy" like me can enjoy.

The pictures in this book are striking in detail. Along with many other fantastic pictures, this book has the finest picture of a Bleriot XI that I have ever seen. The detail is unparalleled.

This is a book intended for children, but anyone would learn a great deal from it.

5.0 out of 5 stars Another good DK book, January 3, 2012

By 

O'Hanlon bros mama (Vermont) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Flying Machine (Eyewitness books) (Hardcover)

DK has done it again. A great kids book with wonderful pictures. The captions are descriptive and provide accurate information about flying machines. Not too much detail but enough for a beginner.

5.0 out of 5 stars Grabs their eyeballs, September 1, 2010

By 

M. Heiss (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Flying Machine (DK Eyewitness Books) (Hardcover)

Are you a parent of an aviation enthusiast? This book will make a wonderful gift.

Actually, it's good for parents, too -- the format and the big big illustrations makes it easy to share this with a child in little chunks. If your aviation enthusiast is big enough to read this independently (1st grade?), then lucky them!

This book wows us! It's big and it offers a lot of punch in the graphics and photographs.