Aerial Warfare: Battle For The Skies, The

Description: Aerial warfare has dominated western war-making for over 100 years, and despite regular announcements of its demise, it shows no sign of becoming obsolete. Frank Ledwidge offers a sweeping global history of air warfare, introducing the major battles, crises, and controversies where air power has taken centre stage.

Review: A concise and up-to-date account of the evolution of air power and its various roles over time that is insightful and comprehensive. Aerial Warfare will appeal to anybody interested in contemporary strategic studies. * Bettina Renz, Associate Professor in International Security, University of Nottingham * Frank Ledwidge's short and concise Aerial Warfare should be required reading for all military professionals and policy makers, as it ties strategy, tactics, and technology neatly together. It is a first-rate survey of the evolution, impact, and relevance of air power: past, present and future. Highly recommended. * Colonel John Andreas Olsen, PhD., Royal Norwegian Air Force * Arguments surrounding the role of air power alongside land and sea power have raged for a century. The rise of digital networks and putative cyber power adds a new and urgent dimension. Ledwidge covers the gamut succinctly and with compelling good judgment, a stylish energy, and panache. * David Betz, Professor of War in the Modern World, Kings College London *





Author Biography: Dr Frank Ledwidge is Senior Fellow in Air Power and International Security at the Royal Air Force College at Cranwell. After a 7 year career as a barrister, he was called up to serve as a reservist intelligence officer in the Balkan Wars of the 1990s with the mission to locate war criminals. In 2003 Frank served as commander of one of the intelligence teams sent to Iraq to hunt for WMD. One of few British officials to have served in all of the country's recent wars, he has also worked for the UK government in Helmand and Libya during the conflicts there. In his civilian life, he has worked as a human rights lawyer throughout the Balkans, the Former Soviet Union and Africa. Frank is the author of two acclaimed and bestselling books on British military performance in the 9/11 wars; Losing Small Wars (2011) and Investment in Blood (2013).