If We Had Wings: The Enduring Dream of Flight - Hardcover

Adult/High School-A pilot since he was a boy, Buck gives readers a tour through the history of aviation. His genuine appreciation for the pioneers of flight is infectious as he recounts stories of calculated daring. Building on these accounts, he shows how discoveries in civilian aviation aided the military and vice versa. Focus is primarily on American flight from the Wright brothers to the Apollo program, but French, German, and Soviet aviators get nods of recognition as well. Every section consists of two facing pages in a super layout. Surrounding the main text are pictures, diagrams, and short factoids. Facsimiles of actual documents peek out from cleverly designed pockets scattered generously throughout the book. They include such diverse items as a wheelchart used to identify World War II aircraft, mementos from a WASP (Women's Airforce Service Pilot), and a copy of Chuck Yeager's secret report on the first sound-barrier-breaking flight. Here and there, Buck also slips in references to aviation literature classics, encouraging readers to broaden their horizons. Immersed in the wealth of information and interactive elements presented, readers will find that an amazing amount of time has flown by before they flip to the next page.

Sheila Shoup, Fairfax County Public Library, VA

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