It really depends on what you want out of such a book. Lots of pictures? Detail? History?

It’s too broad a subject to encompass in one publication, but there’s dozens of books that cover the basics. Try Dorling Kindersley’s Flight -100 Years of Aviation.

That should keep you busy for an hour or two!

Well i’d like a book that traces the development of airplanes and helicopters. Key moments in aviation history kind of thing. That DK book sounds good. A while ago I had book from the library on planes of world war 2 that was quite interesting,and had large colour plates.