Charts how Giulio Douhet's pioneering strategy of targeting civilian populations with air power developed from 1884 to World War II.

Thomas Hippler is Associate Professor at Sciences Po Lyon, University of Lyon. His previous publications include Citizens, Soldiers and National Armies: Military Service in France and Germany (2007).

Introduction; Part I. Douhet's Strategic Thought: 1. The early Douhet; 2. History or technology?; 3. From pacifism to indiscriminate bombing; 4. The command of the air; Part II. Douhetism under Discussion: 5. Air power and the strategic context; 6. Alternatives to Douhetism; 7. Amedeo Mecozzi, the 'anti-Douhet'; Epilogue; Bibliography.