The United States Air Force is a young service, not in years alone, but in spirit. It is proud of its traditions but not bound by them.

Its exciting story is peopled by men of vision and courage—the great heroes and leaders who have helped to broaden the ever-widening horizon of speed and space.

Here are stirring accounts of the Wright brothers' first powered flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903; of the early years which brought the miracle of flight to the world; of the important role aviation played in World War I; of the golden age of aviation when the Air Force was recognized as a major part of the military forces; and of the birth of the four-engine bomber.

Here are the horrors and heroics of World War II; the atomic bombings; the Berlin aircraft which was the first big battle in the cold war; Korea—the F-86 Sabrejets against the Russian-built MIG-15s; today's minute men of the air; and the new Air Force Academy.

The reckless, daring, skillful men of the sky are here—Eddie Rickenbacker, Billy Mitchell, Colin Kelley, Jimmy Doolittle, Rose O'Donnell, Curtis LeMay, to name only a few. Roaring through these pages are the P-38 Lightning, P-47 Thunderbolt, P-51 Mustang, B-17 Flying Fortress.

Robert Loomis tells the vivid story of the Air Force with power and drama. Every member of the family will want to read the story of our strongest weapon for peace in the world—the Air Force.

From the dust jacket