| ________________ CM . . .
. Volume VIII Number 14 . . . . March 15, 2002
excerpt:
This lavishly illustrated (over 350 photographs and illustrations), large-format book offers a sampling of the holdings of the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., vaunted as the most visited museum in the world. Not surprisingly, the book is in large measure a celebration of the United States' contribution to the conquest of air and space; but enough recognition is made of the work of other nations to ensure a reasonably balanced overview of the topic. The book is organized on an essentially chronological basis, which, given the nature of the topic, leads naturally to de facto thematic groupings and an kind of unfolding narrative as well: pioneering efforts; war-time developments; the development of space craft and satellites; etc. In addition are sections that touch on such matters as types of aircraft (from balloons, through dirigibles, to space stations); and the various functions to which they have been set (from airmail to transport). It is possible, therefore, either to browse through the book, touching on individual topics of particular interest; or to use the book as a whole to trace a coherent set of developments. Each of the almost sixty topics is presented as a two-page spread, with a brief introductory note, followed by about six or seven annotated photographs, paintings, maps, and museum artifacts, most of which are in colour. Interspersed with the photographs are what are labeled "Fun Facts" (e.g., "As a young man, Charles Lindbergh was a barnstormer. Once after a show, an old lady came up and asked him: 'Mister, how much would it cost to fly me up to Heaven and leave me there?'"); and "History Facts" (e.g., "The Germans [during World War I] planned, but never built, an even bigger triplane bomber with a wingspan of nearly 170 feet! It was to be a transatlantic warplane that could attack the United States.") Some of the major individual heroes of flight have their own sections; but these again tend to be principally American (the Wright brothers, Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart, for example; but no Antoine de Saint-Exupery). The book concludes with a useful time-line synopsis of the "Milestones of Flight," a useful Glossary, and an Index. Unfortunately, no bibliography of suggested further reading is offered something that could have enhanced the pedagogical potential of a book that most certainly will spark student interest and questions. The book is aimed at the general reader and will be of interest to any adult curious about the topic. It also incorporates enough topics and issues to allow effective classroom use as a springboard for further study in a wide range of topics both social and technological. Recommended. Alexander Gregor is a Professor of Higher Education, University of Manitoba.
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heroes
made wings to fly. In Persian legends, people zoomed through the sky
on magic carpets. The ancient Chinese invented kites, and some reportedly
carried humans aloft. During the Middle Ages, many people tried to
fly. Some strapped on wings of cloth or feathers and jumped off towers
or cliffs. Yet nothing worked and many died.