The Pocket Book of Fighters by Martin Bowman (Small Format HC/DJ)
In the past 70 years the definition of a fighter has undergone radical metamorphosis; and the aircraft themselves have gone through dramatic, fundamental changes in shape, structure, and performance. World War I fighters were of comparatively fragile construction, whereas modern fighting aircraft have to withstand the fantastic stresses that occur at speeds more than ten times as fast, high-G twists and turns that would surely rupture the robust and agile World War II dogfighter. Concluding with an easy-reference timeline, this book is a concise and accessible treatment of a fascinating subject that will appeal to both general interest readers and aviation enthusiasts worldwide.