---
product_id: 33370363
title: "Wings: A History of Aviation from Kites to the Space Age"
price: "¥8764"
currency: JPY
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 10
url: https://www.desertcart.jp/products/33370363-wings-a-history-of-aviation-from-kites-to-the-space
store_origin: JP
region: Japan
---

# Wings: A History of Aviation from Kites to the Space Age

**Price:** ¥8764
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

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- **What is this?** Wings: A History of Aviation from Kites to the Space Age
- **How much does it cost?** ¥8764 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.jp](https://www.desertcart.jp/products/33370363-wings-a-history-of-aviation-from-kites-to-the-space)

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## Description

desertcart.com: Wings: A History of Aviation from Kites to the Space Age: 9780393326208: Crouch, Tom D.: Books

Review: Solid - I enjoyed this book. It was the main textbook for a class I took. This is very good overview of Aviation history. There is some good depth into particular events and people but given the scope of Aviation history, this single book can only go so deep. Nonetheless, a great read for those that love history and aviation.
Review: The right author covers the right stuff the right way!! - Quick disclaimer: While reading Wings, I sensed that its release was timed to generally coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' flight (for many, the real origin of aviation as we know it). There are about a dozen or so typos and/or other generally minor mistakes which, to me, indicate a less than thorough proof-reading or editing job--perhaps in a rush to get the book to the printers. While the errors are not show-stoppers in and of themselves, they do take the polish off a bit of an otherwise fine book. I hope a second edition will catch them. Even with these, however, I feel I can state that this is the book I've always wanted but didn't realize it, put out by one of my favorite publishing houses to boot (W.W. Norton; I'm an O'Brian fan as well). Aviation buffs have always had their favorite aircraft, be they air superiority fighters or superior air freighters, but this book deals with them all, in a style readable for the generalist as well as the enthusiast. The editorial reviews will give you a flavor of what Mr Crouch covers in this history, which is more of a biography of flight in many ways. The book does not generally dwell on any one particular aircraft or type (the author took a balanced approach toward both the military and commercial aspects of flight, as well as how they typically complement each other). Landmark aircraft or events in aviation history do get decent face time--and though purists may quibble over whether "their" aircraft got sufficient treatment here, I believe Mr Crouch has done more than a creditable job in bringing this century of aviation into focus for most folks. Perhaps Wings' most enjoyable and interesting aspects are covered in the chapters and/or sections which detail the lesser known facets of early aviation--both the pioneers and their birds--as well as the business side of aviation, an equally if not more important part of the story in many cases. There are numerous aviation books which examine narrow niches, from specific aircraft to sub-epochs in aviation history to notable individuals, and these are fine choices for those who crave such levels of detail. I have my share of each of these, and make no bones about it. But I sense that Wings, interspersed with some great photos and written by the curator of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, is just right in terms of having sufficient heft and credibility for those who want a serious treatment of a century defined by flight, without putting off those who merely find the subject interesting or who want to give a well-thought-out gift for the aviation buff in their lives. This book will not disappoint either way.

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| Best Sellers Rank | #279,432 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #104 in Aviation History (Books) #215 in Aeronautics & Astronautics (Books) #261 in Military Aviation History (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars (67) |
| Dimensions  | 6.1 x 1.3 x 9.2 inches |
| Edition  | Illustrated |
| ISBN-10  | 0393326209 |
| ISBN-13  | 978-0393326208 |
| Item Weight  | 2 pounds |
| Language  | English |
| Print length  | 736 pages |
| Publication date  | November 17, 2004 |
| Publisher  | W. W. Norton & Company |

## Images

![Wings: A History of Aviation from Kites to the Space Age - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61tVG6VDyTL.jpg)

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Solid
*by T***M on December 14, 2020*

I enjoyed this book. It was the main textbook for a class I took. This is very good overview of Aviation history. There is some good depth into particular events and people but given the scope of Aviation history, this single book can only go so deep. Nonetheless, a great read for those that love history and aviation.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ The right author covers the right stuff the right way!!
*by B***C on January 7, 2004*

Quick disclaimer: While reading Wings, I sensed that its release was timed to generally coincide with the 100th anniversary of the Wright brothers' flight (for many, the real origin of aviation as we know it). There are about a dozen or so typos and/or other generally minor mistakes which, to me, indicate a less than thorough proof-reading or editing job--perhaps in a rush to get the book to the printers. While the errors are not show-stoppers in and of themselves, they do take the polish off a bit of an otherwise fine book. I hope a second edition will catch them. Even with these, however, I feel I can state that this is the book I've always wanted but didn't realize it, put out by one of my favorite publishing houses to boot (W.W. Norton; I'm an O'Brian fan as well). Aviation buffs have always had their favorite aircraft, be they air superiority fighters or superior air freighters, but this book deals with them all, in a style readable for the generalist as well as the enthusiast. The editorial reviews will give you a flavor of what Mr Crouch covers in this history, which is more of a biography of flight in many ways. The book does not generally dwell on any one particular aircraft or type (the author took a balanced approach toward both the military and commercial aspects of flight, as well as how they typically complement each other). Landmark aircraft or events in aviation history do get decent face time--and though purists may quibble over whether "their" aircraft got sufficient treatment here, I believe Mr Crouch has done more than a creditable job in bringing this century of aviation into focus for most folks. Perhaps Wings' most enjoyable and interesting aspects are covered in the chapters and/or sections which detail the lesser known facets of early aviation--both the pioneers and their birds--as well as the business side of aviation, an equally if not more important part of the story in many cases. There are numerous aviation books which examine narrow niches, from specific aircraft to sub-epochs in aviation history to notable individuals, and these are fine choices for those who crave such levels of detail. I have my share of each of these, and make no bones about it. But I sense that Wings, interspersed with some great photos and written by the curator of the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, is just right in terms of having sufficient heft and credibility for those who want a serious treatment of a century defined by flight, without putting off those who merely find the subject interesting or who want to give a well-thought-out gift for the aviation buff in their lives. This book will not disappoint either way.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Decent though a bit tedious
*by R***T on March 25, 2021*

An excellent clearly written overview of aviation history with lots of technical details, something that I appreciated. Particularly good at depicting key figures in this history. Major weakness was ignoring the link between technical development and the military's mission. America often seems obsessed with state-of-the-art wonders such as the B-2 bomber but for what purpose? Flying 15,000 miles to drop a few bombs on camel herders hiding in caves? Nor does he seriously address whether the Soviet stuff worked as advertised. I've been told by friends who know this sort of stuff that Soviet air power was often poorly made and often failed in combat. Nevertheless, this was conveniently overlooked in the rush to spend ever more on super weapons. But these slights do not detract from Wings being an excellent book on its subject.

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*Product available on Desertcart Japan*
*Store origin: JP*
*Last updated: 2026-02-16*