This book analyzes the impact of aircraft on battle on land and at sea as well as the strategic aspects of air war. Air power has developed as a key determining factor in the outcome of war. The central theme of the book is that air power was both a cause and a measure of "total war" in a period when mass economic and technological mobilizations became the cornerstone of victory. Air power was a cause of total war, as it brought conflict home to civiliam populations for the first time by widening the battle zone and, more importantly, through the strategic bombing offensives, which directly targeted civilian populations. Demanding so much of a state's economic, resource, nad technological base, it was also a measure of total war, in that only a few nations were able to meet this most demanding challenge issued by modern war.

Air power in the age of total war -- The birth of air power -- The First World War, 1914-18 -- The development of air power doctrine and theory, 1918-39 -- The war in Europe, 1939-45 -- The war in the Far East, 1937-45 -- Air power and the post-war world -- Conclusions.