Book. “Aviation of Yesteryear”

A well-researched book for all audiences that provides insight into the context of aviation between 1890 and the very beginning of World War I. Written by an expert in the field.

When it comes to vintage, this is "old school" - and with real documentary value, too! Journalist, historian, and former ministerial advisor Jean-Luc Garnier is one of the most authoritative writers to paint this portrait of the early days of aviation in France - and, by extension, around the world.

To tackle this reissue (the first edition of the book dates from 2012), he has divided the narrative into seven parts, namely: pre-aviation; the structures available (rudimentary, one imagines) at the time; those who were the first to "fly"; the first records and related inventions; events related to aeronautics; military aviation; and the beginnings of so-called "civilian" air transport.

Throughout the book, decorated with 400 old postcards (many of which are unpublished), we find the first winged heroes, such as Clément Ader and later Blériot, Breguet, Garros, and others. This continues until the very beginning of the Great War, when the Army finally deigned to take a look at these flying machines, which quickly became the spearhead of military forces on all sides, ushering aviation into a first phase of modernity that would be followed by many others.

Book. "L'Aviation d'antan" (Aviation of Yesteryear). Author, Jean-Luc Garnier. Published by Hervé Chopin. ISBN: 9782357208780