Fighter Planes Up Close

Wow! Junior birdmen 9-12 will love this wonderfully-illustrated guide to military aviation circa 2007. It showcases eye-catching single- and double-gatefold color photographs along with an informative, comprehensive text. I wish they had published books like this when I was a youngster! First off, the title - FIGHTER PLANES UP CLOSE - is misleading. Author Andra Abramson covers fighter planes AND aircraft carriers, weapons, technology, training, modern air war and military demonstration teams as well within its 48 pages. Abramson's descriptions of topics such as jet construction, engines/afterburners, ejection seats, weapons, takeoffs/landings, arrestments, radar, Topgun, etc. are simple and straightforward. Jargon is kept to a minimum. Where this oversized (10 1/2 x 14") volume shines is the illustrations. The full-color photographs are gorgeous, dynamic and enormously appealing. Many put the reader right into the cockpit and capture the drama and excitement of military flying quite well. The double-gatefolds fold out to produce images 40" long...Awesome! Like others in the series, Abramson's book sells for $9.95. Given that price and the well-designed, appealing package you're getting, FIGHTER PLANES UP CLOSE will do just fine for those nine to twelve-year olds with their heads in the clouds! Recommended.