THE AMERICAN AVIATION EXPERIENCE: A HISTORY edited by Tim Brady with the chapter Women in Aviation written by 99 Hope Bouvette Thornberg (St. Cloud University) is designed to be a primary text for courses in aviation history and development and aviation in America.

The seventeen chapters range chronologically from ancient times through the Wright brothers through both world wars, culminating with the development of the U.S. space program. Contributors also cover balloons and dirigibles, African American pioneers in aviation, and women in aviation. These essayists — leading scholars in the field — present the history of aviation mainly from an American perspective.

The American Aviation Experience includes 335 black-and-white photographs, two maps, and an appendix, "Leonardo da Vinci and the Science of Flight."

The royalties from sales of this book are placed in a scholarship fund for students in collegiate aviation programs. The scholarship program is administered by the University Aviation Association. While designed as a text, it is highly readable and would be a welcome addition to a reference or home library. It looks at the human side of aviation rather than the hardware.

Hope Thornberg, author of the chapter, "Women in Aviation," is a member and former chair of the Minnesota Chapter of The Ninety-Nines. She is Professor Emeritus at St. Cloud State University in Minnesota, where she developed and taught the course. Hope is a past president of the University Aviation Association and a flight instructor, single and multiengine land aircraft. In the July/August 2001 issue of The 99 NEWS, Hope gratefully acknowledged the assistance of The 99s Headquarters staff in researching the wonderful women of flight for the chapter. The rich historical resources there provided information available at no other single site.

Published:	Southern Illinois University Press, December 2001
Price:	See website - Southern Illinois University Press
ISBN:	0-8093-2325-7 | cloth | $60.00 0-8093-2325-7 | paper | $45.00
	520 pages 335 black-and-white photographs 8" x 10" two maps and an appendix, “Leonardo da Vinci and the Science of Flight.”
This book can be purchased from:	Southern Illinois University Press