The Miracle of Flight - Hardcover

Stephen Dalton

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1858941288 ISBN 13: 9781858941288

Publisher: Merrell Publishers Ltd, 2001

Synopsis

Praise for the hardcover edition:
"The explanation of the physics of flight is one of the strengths of Dalton's text... Dalton's high-speed photographs of animals in flight, combined with color illustrations, beautifully illuminate the sometimes arcane discussions. Overall, this breathtakingly illustrated and well written book is superb."
- Booklist

Insects and birds account for three-quarters of all land creatures. For many of them, the ability to fly has allowed them to live in diverse habitats all over the globe. For humans, the mastery of flight is a supreme technical achievement that has revolutionized our world during the last century.

The Miracle of Flight shows how animals evolved wings and how humans triumphed over the associated physical challenges of taking to the air. The magic of winged flight is passionately revealed in photography and color illustrations.

The main sections cover:

• Insects and the mechanics of their flight
• Birds and their wing structure
• Man's centuries old dream of flight
• The development of flight from balloons to jets and rockets.

Every section of The Miracle of Flight is illustrated by Dalton's stunning wildlife photographs and specially commissioned full color technical drawings.

About this title

About the Author

Stephen Dalton is an internationally respected photographer whose high-speed wildlife photography has earned him a devoted following of both nature lovers and photographers. Dalton has published several books of his unforgettable imagery, among them Secret Lives, Caught in Motion, The Secret Life of an Oakwood, The Secret Life of a Garden, Vanishing Paradise and At the Water's Edge. He lives in rural England, where he continues to revel in and photograph the world around him.

Review

This reference book represents the best single source for all aspects of flight, and the text is enhanced by the author's own exquisite photography, archival imagery, informative color diagrams, and suggestions for further reading. (William H. Adams Science Books and Films 2000-07-01)

The explanation of the physics of flight is one of the strengths of Dalton's text...Dalton's high-speed photographs of animals in flight, combined with color illustrations, beautifully illuminate the sometimes arcane discussions. Overall, this breathtakingly illustrated and well written book is superb. (Nancy Bent Booklist 1999-12-01)

This volume's simplicity of prose and elegance of illustration cannot fail to delight teen readers. Dalton explains and demonstrates the physics of flight in a straightforward style. In the process of educating readers, however, the author's love for his subject and his belief in its magic come through ... This scholarly yet enthusiastic work will be a treasured addition to any library. (Becky Ferrall School Library Journal 2000-04-01)

Nature writer Dalton has combined two of his loves, flying and photography, into a very well crafted book that covers the basics of flight, both animal and (human) mechanical. Though the text is lucid and the illustrations excellent, the numerous vibrant color photographs truly set this book apart from others. (J. Olson Choice 2000-04-01)

A fine overview of the world of flight from Dalton, dramatized by his superb photography, with arresting graphic material that demystifies the mechanics of aerodynamics, and a text that allows the poetry of taking wing to keep its secrets... A love song to flying, limpid and graceful as the act itself. (Kirkus Review 1999-11-01)

This book is sure to engage anyone with even a passing interest in aviation -- and the color photos and illustrations of flying machines, both organic (insects, birds, bats) and inorganic (airplanes, gliders, etc.), are magnificent. (Publishers Weekly)

From the wing structure of the Concorde to that of four-winged insects, the mystery of nearly all things that fly is explicated here in stunning photography, line drawings and clearly written text by a man who obviously would love to have wings himself. As who wouldn't? (T.H. Watkins Washington Post 1999-12-12)

A stunning new book reveals the secrets of flight... There are also fabulous color photos of bees, beetles, moths and butterflies performing the most amazing feats of flying, often in a series of stop-action pictures. (Canadian Camera 1999-01-01)

About this edition

• Publisher: Merrell Publishers Ltd
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1858941288
• ISBN 13: 9781858941288
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 184