War in the Air 1914-45 (Smithsonian History of Warfare) [Paperback]

Williamson Murray (Author)

Book Description

Series: Smithsonian History of Warfare | Publication Date: August 23, 2005

The first aircraft flew in 1903 and within ten years had been developed into military weapons.From World War I to World War II, pilots became exalted national heroes, gallant knights astride their iron steeds high above the skies of Europe. Far from the heroic fantasy, however, most pilots and aircrews struggled against grim odds, fighting out their frequently short lives with bravado and recklessness. This vivid account explores the conditions in which these pilots fought and the rise of air warfare to preeminence, culminating in the Enola Gay's fateful drop of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.

• The early flying machines of World War I and the pilots who braved hostile skies
• The rise of airplane technology in the 1930s -- radar, blind-bombing devices, radio control, and the increased speed of new monoplane designs
• The contribution of Allied air power to the defeat of Nazi Germany,
• Raids on Japan, the drop of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, and the beginning of a new era of warfare

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Dr. Williamson Murray is professor emeritus at Ohio State University and at the Institute for Defense Analysis. He is the author of numerous books, including Military Innovation in the Interwar Period, Air War in the Persian Gulf, and Calculations, Net Assessment and the Coming of WWII.

Product Details

• Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Harper Paperbacks (August 23, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060838566
• ISBN-13: 978-0060838560
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 5.1 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,224,640 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good atypical approach to a familiar topic, June 19, 2000

By 

Julian Wan "wanchob" (Ann Arbor, MI USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: History of Warfare: War In The Air 1914-45 (Cassell History of Warfare) (Hardcover)

Murray in War in the Air 1914-1945 takes an seldom used approach to describe a period in miliatry history where technology and military theory advanced at a rapid pace. By choosing to discuss the First World War, the Interwar years, and the Second World War in one continuum, it is easier to trace the developments in technology, strategy, and tactics (wood to metal, biplane to monoplane, scouting to ground support to strategic bombing, naval scout to capital ship)

The one major shortcoming of this approach is that it does isolate some of the developments from the overall global course of events. For example, the decision not to develop strategic bombers by the Luftwaffe is not given any emphasis, despite being a critical strategic error. Also there is strangely little mention of the possible role of jet propulsion which appeared at the end of the war. Though developed years earlier, this important technology was not given emphasis because of other strategic concerns.

In brief: a very good book in the series from Cassell concerning the rise of Air Power. Both airwar buffs and generalists will enjoy this book, but there will be some points where the experienced reader will be left wondering.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Foundation to Build Upon, March 4, 2006

By 

Gerry Lynam (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: War in the Air 1914-45 (Smithsonian History of Warfare) (Paperback)

Murray's concise yet thorough review of air warfare's development from infancy through adolescence will provide any neophyte the necessary perspective to later delve into more specialized subjects, yet his insights also prove interesting to those already familiar with airpower's history.

The book is full of useful information. The chronology yields a panoramic view of the subject. Planes are beautifully illustrated and well-drawn maps allow the reader to better envision the distances involved and flight paths taken. Contemporary photos abound. Perhaps most helpful to those interested in learning more about the subject is the bibliography found in the back.

The significance of Murray's conclusions may be better understood by those who are somewhat versed in the periods' theaters and battles, but that should not deter those new to the subject matter. Where most military histories rely on the reader's previous understanding of events, this book stands well alone. All in all, War in the Air 1914-1945 is a valuable addition to anyone's library, new readers and veterans alike.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good history on Air Combat., November 8, 2001

By 

Andrew (Vermont) - See all my reviews

This review is from: History of Warfare: War In The Air 1914-45 (Cassell History of Warfare) (Hardcover)

This book has it all. From the start of aircraft warfare, to World War two, it explores the advances in air combat during the two World Wars, providing a detailed history of the battles over Europe and the Pacific.
This book includes pictures of battles, planes and maps, along with how each power utilized their defenses and tactics. It covers every region of study in World War I and II, and it shows how air changed warfare forever.
Being a World War II history buff, I found this book very attractive. No long amounts of text but diagrams to show what happened, when and where. This is an invaluble resorce to anyone who is interested in this subject.