First published in 1980, Richard Overy's classic work remains the best one-volume aerial history of World War II. Far more than just an account of the various air battles, the author treats the air war as a complex and fascinating historical web of grand strategy, economic mobilization, the recruitment of science, and the nature of leadership and training. The author reveals that although air power in the form of strategic bombing by itself did not determine the war's final outcome, its use dramatically illustrated the complexities of managing modern war. This profound and highly original work by an award-winning author thus deepens our understanding not only of World War II, but of military history in general.

Preface
Introduction
1. Preparing for War
2. The European Air War September 1939-41
3. The European Air War 1941-45
4. The Air War in the Far East
5. The Strategic Bombing Offensives
6. Leadership Organization, and Training
7. The Aircraft Economies
8. Science, Research, and Intelligence
9. Conclusions
Notes
Bibliography
Index