They Sailed The Skies
J. Gordon Vaeth Book Review

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Plot Summary of They Sailed The Skies

"J. Gordon Vaeth distills the history of the United States Navy's lighter-than-air (LTA) program from its inception to its dissolution into a single volume. Explained are the circumstances and scientific advancements that prompted the military to explore the use of balloons and airships in warfare, often in partnership with private enterprise such as Goodyear and General Mills. Vaeth also recounts tragic events, including the loss of the Akron, and explains the rudiments of the science behind various aviation developments.

A good portion of the book is devoted to recounting the results of the Gordon Bennett, a very important gas ballooning race in which teams from the military participated. In this context, he concentrates on the life of Tex Settle, one of the prominent military LTA aviators.

The book does continue after World War II, but relatively glosses over the period of manned exploratory balloon flight into the stratosphere. The history concludes on the brink of manned space flight with the ending of military ballooning. The account is filled with black and white photographs of the balloons, airships, and the personalities involved in flying them."
ldpaulson, Resident Scholar

Review Analysis of They Sailed The Skies

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Ratings are on a 1-10 scale (Low to High)
Kind Of History
Time of history: - 20th century
History of military? Yes
Armed Forces: - Navy
Nationality? - American--General

Subjects of this Historical Account
Is the portrayal sympathetic? - Somewhat sympathetic
From a certain profession/group? - naval soldiers
Intelligence of subject of history: - Smart

Setting
United States Yes
The US: - Southeast - West - Northeast - Midwest - California
The Americas (not US): Yes
The Americas: - Canada

Style
How much gore? - 2 ()
How fast-paced is the book? - 4 ()
Accounts of torture and death? - moderately detailed references to deaths
How much romance? - 2 ()
Pictures/Illustrations? - A significant amount
How much emphasis on small details? - 4 ()

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J. Gordon Vaeth Resident Scholar Profiles

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They Sailed The Skies J. Gordon Vaeth Book Review

They Sailed The Skies
J. Gordon Vaeth Book Review