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The Paths of Heaven: The Evolution of Airpower Theory Paperback – August 1, 2014

by Air Univeristy Press (Author), Philip S. Meilinger (Editor)

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The Paths of Heaven counterbalances the Air Force's tendency to emphasize operational concerns at the expense of theory. Most of the fifteen essays are contributed by current or former faculty of the School of Advanced Airpower Studies at Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. Collectively, the authors trace the development of airpower theory from its origins with Giulio Douhet, through the formulation of airpower doctrine during the interwar years at the Air Corps Tactical School, to current efforts to codify a cogent theory of space power. In the words of retired chief of staff Gen Ronald R. Fogleman, "The Paths of Heaven is a valuable means of increasing our expertise in the employment of airpower." First published in 1997. Contains black and white maps and photographs.

Print length

674 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Military Bookshop
Publication date

August 1, 2014
Dimensions

6.69 x 1.35 x 9.61 inches
ISBN-10

1782666672
ISBN-13

978-1782666677
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Product details

Publisher : Military Bookshop (August 1, 2014)
Language : English
Paperback : 674 pages
ISBN-10 : 1782666672
ISBN-13 : 978-1782666677
Item Weight : 2.33 pounds
Dimensions : 6.69 x 1.35 x 9.61 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #6,510,239 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #13,802 in Military Aviation History (Books)

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MarRo

Military Theorists

Reviewed in the United States on May 4, 2010

Verified Purchase

"The Paths of Heaven" is a collection of essays chronicling the evolution of airpower in military application. It encompasses the thoughts of enthusiasts such as Giulio Douhet, 'Billy' Mitchell, and Alexander de Seversky, to the modernist views of John Boyd and John Warden. The book is a 'must-have' for every military historian's collection.

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Jeff

Very comprehensive

Reviewed in the United States on August 4, 2004

Discerning readers will derive well-grounded observations from this exhaustive collection of essays which traces the "evolution of airpower theory from its earliest days...to the present," (xii). It will not escape the reader's notice that the early theorists operated from theoretically and experientially-derived assumptions formed by the crucible of the First World War. Framed against this background, Colonel Philip Meilinger discusses proponents in the conceptual continuity of strategic destructive potential of British airpower. Eventually airpower widened its theoretical base, and we find Meilinger's second article examining Alexander de Seversky's contributions to incipient aerial refueling, long range escort aircraft, as well as his in-person evaluations of the efficacy of strategic bombing. Meanwhile, David Mets contextualizes the rise of naval aviation, as it evolved from an adjunct to established doctrine, to giving credence to strategic bombing, and the carrier as the eminent instrument of sea power. In James Corum's essay, he describes inter-war France's airpower failure when its technology was not wed to doctrine. He also notes that the poor performance of the Italian air force resulted not from doctrinal but industrial insufficiency. The Soviet Union, meanwhile, adhered to the primacy of the offensive while developing the world's first airborne forces, and maturing ground attack theory. Finally, Germany failed to translate airpower theory into doctrine for an effective air force, especially with the move away from the emphasis on strategic bombing. Concurrently in America, it was the task of the Air Corps Tactical School to get national leadership to advance their strategic and operational thinking toward striking an enemy's core vulnerabilities.

Several essays prove thematically tied. Harold Winton provides "a critical, comparative analysis" (400) of Army and Air Force air-ground operations from 1973 to 1990, elaborating upon the key doctrinal cooperation arduously worked out between the two services, explaining how such collaboration resulted in "relative cohesion and strength" in Army-Air Force doctrine (430). Meanwhile, Dennis Drew probes Air Force thinking on the application of airpower to low intensity conflict, concluding that airpower can be successful in a counterinsurgent role only if it is totally integrated into the military campaign.

In addition to these essays, Maris McCrabb's engaging article on NATO airpower shows how conceptual differences between US and NATO command and control and weapons employment were eventually modified for alliance needs. Relatedly, Edward Felker reviews how major changes to Russian Federation airpower doctrine led to an emergent perception of security interests which forced them back to "earlier ideas about the preeminence of the offense." (515) Yet, as Felker warns, "Russian airpower will remain fragmented" amidst a doctrinal unreality.

In examining more modern concepts, David Fadok elaborates Boyd's theory of conflict with its military objective of breaking the enemy's spirit and will. In addition, Fadok explores John Warden's theories of how airpower achieves strategic ends with maximum effectiveness and minimum cost. What about airpower and nuclear warfare? Karl Mueller's thesis is that deterrent theories of the past continue to be relevant, despite the fading of East-West confrontation. Regarding the potentials of space, Bruce DeBlois provides a masterful analysis of the vast capabilities of aerospace power, and discusses the potential of a separate Space Force. He underscores the vital fact that space power reduces US casualties through the remoteness of its operating realm. Finally, IB Holley provides the volume with a needful redaction, classifying the ideas of the theorists according to the way they can be authenticated.

Finally, there is little to criticize here. Though perhaps true on a proverbial level, this reviewer cannot agree with Winton that all airmen disbelieve that "the ultimate result comes from soldiers on the ground." (401) The results are situationally dependent. DeBlois's use of the pejorative "emotional" to characterize all who dissent from military use of space, is puzzling. Finally, the title of the book is more suited to a history of sport flying than that of airpower theory. Notwithstanding, as the gangrenous wound of the Great War's trenches still haunt us, Meilinger's compilation amply illustrates the primacy of striking an enemy's will before his killing machines are fielded. This is the historiographical undergirding of one of the most comprehensive surveys in print on the evolution of airpower theory (NOTE: This review originally written in 1999).

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