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Reviewed by:
  • 100 Years of Airpower & Aviation
  • S. Mike Pavelec
100 Years of Airpower & Aviation. By Robin Higham. College Station: Texas A&M University Press, 2003. ISBN 1-58544-241-0. Photographs. Figures. Tables. Appendixes. Bibliography. Index. Pp. xi, 435. $50.00.

Dr. Robin Higham's new book—100 Years of Airpower and Aviation—is simply the best single-volume analysis of both military and civilian aviation technology. Adding substantially to his 1972 Air Power: A Concise History, Higham's newest book offers additional insight into civil aviation as well as [End Page 1319] concise yet detailed information on the last thirty years in aviation history. Tapping into the increasing interest in aviation with the centennial of powered flight, this book is not only the best of the latest attempts at aviation history, it is also the most useful analysis of the last hundred years of mankind's attempts to fly.

Higham begins with his Wave Cycle Theory, combined with the Plateau Theory, which are used throughout to discuss the historical ebb and flow of aircraft design and procurement. He continues with his mathematical formula for Efficiency Rating (ER), a quantitative comparison for aircraft performances. Higham's criteria for aircraft efficiency are based on speed, range, and weight. His results hint at the nonlinearity of aircraft development during the past century.

The book is laid out chronologically, using "Periodization" as outlined in the introduction. For Higham, the periods correspond to technical advances in aviation. He begins his historical analysis with early attitudes towards airpower (Chap. 1), and outlines the first decade of airpower. He turns to the first air war (1914-18) and continues with an analysis of inter-war aviation.

Higham's second airpower period begins with technical advancements that allowed aircraft to evolve from fabric-and-wire biplanes to all-metal monoplanes. The mid-1930s ushered in a new era for land and sea military aviation as well as more efficient civil aviation. Corresponding air doctrine evolved—sometimes correctly—as aircraft technology was recognized as a useful tool in both war and peace.

The second half of the book (Chaps. 6-9) considers the changing concept of airpower and the difficulties of modern design and manufacture. Higham outlines the importance of the "turbojet revolution," but could have expanded on this decisive period in aviation history. He continues with the development of jet civilian transport as well as the military-industrial complex, both of which in the post-World War II period became increasingly dependent on high-technology—and high-cost—research and development. Chapter 7 analyzes military operations in the postwar world, and the use and misuse—and abuse—of military aviation. Chapter 8 considers the growing importance of civil aviation, and subsequent developments in transport design and manufacture. The issue of entrainment has become increasingly important as modern airline manufacturers attempt to predict future requirements and requests. Finally, the book wraps up with a concise analysis of the state of aviation development and some speculation about the future.

The bibliography is subdivided into categories rather than by chapter, but adds up to an excellent historiography. The book is highlighted with photo clusters which help the reader to envision aviation evolution.

The strength of the book—Number Five in Texas A&M's Centennial of Flight Series—is its breadth. In a single volume Higham has provided a comprehensive analysis of world aviation history, both military and civilian.

S. Mike Pavelec
Hawaii Pacific University
Honolulu, Hawaii
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