Another book about Canadians, and, while I would never underestimate the contribution made to the Allied Cause by Canadians in both World Wars, I am not quite sure what this book is for. It is not big or lavish enough for my coffee table, and it is too big to read comfortably in bed. It perpetuates the opinion that what was wrong with the RFC was that it was officered by anally retentive public school boys, who preferred to paint their aircraft in dull colours, never changed their tactics, and who were against the 'Ace' system so beloved across the Atlantic. It understandably devotes a chapter to 'the incomparable Billy Bishop', the conclusions of which many people today would question.

However, as a blow by blow account of the lives of various brave and skilful young Canadians who fought and sometimes died in the War To End All Wars, it has its merits. Sadly, the photographs, many of which are badly reproduced, are mainly familiar, and the copious artwork, by Stephen P Quick, is not at all to my taste. The publishers acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada and the Ontario Arts Council, which is very worthy. Reading this book, I cannot help feeling there is a bit of an inferiority complex creeping in here, and surely this is unwarranted.