England and the Aeroplane: Militarism, Modernity and Machines

Not having read this when it first came out('90's) it was clearly a polemic but intelligently written seeking to offset certain views of "Eng;and". His main focus is on science, technology and economics in relation to aircraft production...but it sustains hiswider thesis of the role of the "warfare" state rather than the "welfare " state as typically English.A fuller historical development of the thesis is in his The rise and fall of the British nation(a 20th C, History)

As a self confessed aero anorak I found this book fascinating. It gives a thorough examination of the growth and decline of the English, (as he says in the book, most of the firms involved were within the Home Counties), Aircraft Industry. He praises the suceesse, like the Spitfire, and condemns the turkeys, like the Fairey Battle, it shows how closely the companies were involved with the Government, in the specification and buidling of the aircraft involved. It is essentila reading for anyone interested in aircraft, the Second World War and the politics of the period.

Excellent, balanced and objective survey of how the British aircraft industry really developed. The crucial role of government and state in the pre WW2 era is made very clear and this history demolishes the unlikely myths of government incompetence which held sway for too many years.Highly recommended

Perhaps more of an essay than a full history, certainly represents the facts in a new light - so Britain was not so old-fashioned and wary of technology after all. Useful to get that learnt. Not really only 'England' but makes for a snappier title one imagines.

Not as interesting as I'd hoped.

Used this book for an online course I took

Excellent service, well packaged and excellent book. Recommended.

OK