At last somebody got it right; a non-fiction book with the perfect balance between factual information and photographs. Not only that, but the authors of this book have taken things one step further. The quality of pictures is outstanding. Most of the photos in this book would proudly hang on the walls of any aviation enthusiast's house as a piece of art in its own right.

‘100 years of flight' in New Zealand captures the imagination and innovation of many of New Zealand's great pioneers. Brave men that graced the skies in their aircraft with wings made from fabric. The Walsh brothers, and Rudolph Wigley, the founder of Mount Cook Airways all get their mention. They appear alongside others that have taken our country's love of the aeroplane to greater heights, and turned dreams into reality.

Nowadays as we upload our internet booking and board our glass cockpit Q300 flight to Wellington, few of us would spare a thought for people such as James ‘Will' Scotland. He was credited with delivering New Zealand's first piece of unofficial airmail, and successfully completing New Zealand's first cross country flight. His memory is captured in this book with a short text and a superb sepia photograph of him standing along side his ‘Caudron' biplane.

The book is divided into three chapters.

The first – The Early Pioneers. This chapter includes our long distance aviators such as Jean Batten, and Charles Kingsford Smith.

The second – Aviation Takes Off. This section looks back and records the formation of NAC and its transformation to become Air New Zealand as we know it today. It follows the development of our military aviation and warbirds. It concludes with a look into the infamous past of New Zealand's agricultural industry.

The third – Conquering Our Isolation. This chapter displays photographs about our open skies, recreational flying and helicopters.

This publication is far more than ‘just another history book'. It is a collection of stunning photographs. Many of them are rare, capturing exceptional people and machines that have paved the way for New Zealand's commercial air transport industry and associated love of the aeroplane.

It is written and compiled by John Mounce and Richard Williams. It has been supported by the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT). Their access to quality resources is clearly apparent, as concise factual information abounds throughout the book.

The final result is outstanding. I believe this publication is one of the most comprehensive and interesting views into New Zealand's aviation past that has ever been produced. At a recommended price of $82 this book will not be placed in the bookshelf. It will proudly take its place on my coffee table and become one of my favoured pieces of furniture.