The Influence of Air Power Upon History - Boyne, Walter

The Influence of Air Power Upon History by Boyne, Walter

Format: Hardcover with Dust Jacket

Published by Pelican, 2003

From the invention of the balloon in 1783 to the terrorist abuse of air power in 2001, the quest for and use of the ability to fly has grown from novelty to necessity. Taking Alfred Thayer Mahan's classic work, The Influence of Sea Power upon History, as a starting point, noted aviation historian Walter J. Boyne analyzes how the ability to conduct military, commercial, or humanitarian operations from the air has had far-reaching implications for politics, technology, and mass culture. Boyne draws upon his extensive study of aviation to examine the development of air-power philosophy, through its theory and practice as demonstrated not only in war, but also in the myriad elements from which nations are built. Many of his conclusions will be found to be quite controversial, departing from the generally accepted scenarios of air power.