a gripping, in-depth look at how America's $200 billion aviation industry took flight"To understand the industry, this is necessary reading." —The Miami Herald"With the precision of a scientist, a good reporter's marshaling of disparate facts, and the vigor of a natural storyteller, Heppenheimer offers an absorbing narrative." —Richard Snow, Editor American Heritage."Tom Heppenheimer tells a fascinating story." — R. T. Jones Inventor of the swept wing."An important addition to the history of technology as well as business." — Publishers Weekly."An airworthy briefing firmly grounded in the applied science and allied realities that permit air transport of passengers and cargo over long distances and high speeds." — Kirkus Reviews.