Aerial warfare has dominated Western war-making for over 100 years, and despite regular announcements of its demise, it shows no sign of becoming obsolete. Frank Ledwidge offers a sweeping global history of air warfare, introducing the major battles, crises, and controversies where air power has taken centre stage.

"First published in hardback as Aerial warfare: the battle for the skies, 2018"--Title page verso.

Foundations --Beginnings: the First World War 1914-1918 -- Theory and practice: the interwar years 1919-1939 -- The Second World War: air operations in the West -- The Second World War: the air war in the Pacific -- Cold War 1945-1982 -- The apotheosis of air power 1983-2001 -- Aerostats to algorithms 2001-2020 -- Per ardua ad astra?.