It is difficult not to repeat superlatives when presented with a Schiffer book. This would not only grace any coffee table, but it is also a splendid reference work as well. Over 900 aircraft including airships are described and usually illustrated. A random survey turned up Percy Pilcher (reviewed in 32/3) to find an elegant monograph, and a correct cross-indexing with Maxim. I then went for 'Miller' and found the Miller helicopter from 1909 built in Putney, 'a device consisting of twin screws of spiral design spinning in opposite directions on a vertical shaft, driven by a 50hp motor. A narrow vertical surface extended for the full height outside of the rotating screws to provide directional control'. Next entry is the late eighteenth century Miller ornithopter 'with two pairs of winglets operated by ropes. As with most ornithopters the optimism of the inventor was not matched by the performance of the apparatus'. Both of these delightful machines are illustrated. And so on, a constant source of delight and information. How about the 1908 Allen Flying Bicycle ornithopter which refused to fly or even to move along the ground? There is even a page of photographs of unidentified British aircraft for the experts amongst us to get their teeth into. 

Of course the successful manufacturers are here as well, and Bristol, Handley Page, Avro and Shorts among others are well represented at some length. This book reinforces a view I have held for a long time: that if a design looks right, it usually is right, and this book contains some frightful monsters. I am also proud of the innovation and courage of the aviation pioneers of my country of 100 and more years ago, and yet again amazed at the relative progress between this era and the four years of the Great War.

The authors, (one works at Brooklands and the other was with Hawkers all his working life), know their stuff, and have given us a valuable reference work that is a delight to handle.

The same publishers have available French Aeroplanes Before the Great War at the same price. Although it is shorter, and I haven't seen it, it is by Leonard E Opdyke and has an excellent pedigree.