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.

Ah when you put it like that Ren I guess its understandable. Its odd how all these years I never saw AI in the shops. In fact for years Flypast was the ONLY aviation magazine I ever saw on sale! Apart from the modeller’s mags. But even so this issue of Aircraft has some good stuff in it! The Heinkel He 162 in there is one odd plane!