Once purely for adventure, flight has become an integral part of everyday life. Beginning with the first hot air balloon flight to jet fighter planes of today, Sandler traces man's quest to conquer the blue skies. This book has a wealth of beautiful illustrations that give readers an extensive peek into the past. Also, included are two sidebars that take an in-depth look at one aspect of social history. Backmatter includes timeline, places to visit, further readings, and an index.