Air Force: A Pictorial History of American Airpower

by Martin Caidin

9 x 12 in. picture book history of the U.S. Air Force. Library of Congress Catalog Card number: 57-6575

Hardcover

Published January 1, 1957

About the author

Martin Caidin was a prolific and controversial writer. Most of his work centered around the adventures of pilots and astronauts. A number of his books were notable for their reasonable, realistic predictions of then-futuristic technology.

Caidin's body of work was prolific and varied, ranging from additional speculative/SF novels such as Marooned, which was made into an acclaimed film and considered a harbinger of the Apollo 13 accident, to a novel based upon the character Indiana Jones. He also wrote many non-fiction books about science, aviation and warfare.

Caidin began writing fiction in 1957. In his career he authored more than 50 fiction and nonfiction books as well as more than 1,000 magazine articles. His best-known novel is Cyborg, which was the basis for "The Six Million Dollar Man" franchise. He also wrote numerous works of military history, especially concerning aviation.

In addition to his writing Caidin was a pilot and active in the restoration and flying of older planes.

Reviews

[Jim Shaner]

Outstanding history of the formation and first few decades of the United States Air Force. The book details early struggles for legitimacy and funding, and depicts nearly every model of fighter and bomber in action. Relying heavily on US Air Force photos, the author provides an overview of equipment, men, events and wars. While describing historic events from the perspective of "our boys," yet not gushing with pride, the narrative and pictures offer a sobering look at the horror and sacrifice of war. This is a book to look at over and over again.