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

For anyone interested in a good overview of the two World Wars and of the Major powers in the Inter-War period this is very good. It details the important aircraft, personalities and much of the theory of Airpower. It tends to give alot of detail to the Bombers and Bombing Theory. It includes some impressive maps with a lot of detail. It doesn't include anything from China, South America or Spain (except for the airlift of Franco's forces from Morocco). An enjoyable read with some surprises. For example, how many people know that the Royal Navy launched aircraft from ships in 1914 against targets in Germany, I know I didn't.

Almost as soon as airplanes were invented, military strategists realized their potential. As early as the First World War planes served as scouts, fighters, and bombers--and by World War II all the advanced states had large military air forces dedicated to bombardment. Starting with the less-than-perfect aircraft that flew over Europe in 1915, which caused countless deaths, see how technology developed between the wars; the early campaigns of WWII; air battles on the Eastern front; the defeat of the Luftwaffe; and sky combat in the Pacific.