Experience the thrill of flying some of the world's most important airplanes and spacecraft. Best of the National Air and Space Museum provides unprecedented access to the most popular museum in the world. The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum hosts an average of seven million visits every year. The Udvar-Hazy Center—three football fields long and ten stories high—receives more than one million visits annually. Best of the National Air and Space Museum features the best of both museums; from the Challenger space shuttle and the Wright flyer to the Spirit of St. Louis and the stealth bomber. Robert Van der Linden; curator of aeronautics; has selected the most important; popular; and just plain impressive aircraft and spacecraft from the collections of both museums to be showcased in this beautiful book. Each page spread includes intriguing facts of the item's design; use; mission; specifications; and dimensions. A must-have for space and aviation buffs.
#1911349 in Books Overlook Hardcover 2006-11-16 2006-11-16Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 .50 x 9.75 x 13.25l; 4.57 #File Name: 1585678392192 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. A WORK OF ART IN ITSELFBy Critical MassThis is a lavish oversized book that covers ALL the arts of Islam; ranging from calligraphy; ceramics; jewellery; glass; carpets; metalwork; coins; arms armour; and architecture; among other categories. Various objects of art and architecture; magnificently illustrated in color; are coordinated with a timeline that goes from 620AD to 2005AD. Additionally; there are excellent chapters with detailed essays on all the arts; and they are also beautifully illustrated. The sub-title of the book - A Visual History - says it all. Indeed; the book itself is like a work of art; and is a must for both the student of Islamic art and architecture and anyone interested in that particular subject in general. The book also contains numerous worthwhile maps as well as a listing of the major Islamic dynasties and their dates. While the price may be high for a new copy; a good used copy can be found on for a more reasonable sum.
