To coincide with the 25th anniversary of the Falklands conflict, the memoirs of one of its test pilots, Tony Blackman, were published - the first ever book about test flying this monumental delta-wing aircraft which dominated the history of the late 20th century.

This is a personal account written by a man reflecting on his time as a young pilot with the Royal Flying Corps in France during the First World War, who eventually became an ace. It is a story of survival against the odds at a time when the conduct of air operations depended so much on individual skills, innovation, courage - and luck.

To date there has been a paucity of books on this remarkable aircraft. Among its claims to fame are the following: the only RAF bomber to serve in its original role from first day of war to last, and in every theatre; the first type to bomb Germany; the first type to bomb Berlin; the first type to drop the 4,000lb 'Cookie' bomb; and so on.

There is no bitter snarl nor self-pity in this novel about the air war of 1914-1918, based largely on the author's experiences. Combat, loneliness, fatigue, fear, comradeship, women, excitement - all are built into a vigorous and authentic structure by one of the pilots of the then Royal Flying Corps.

Using images from a wide variety of international wartime magazines, newspapers, books, postcards, posters and prints Mark Bryant tells the history of World War I from both sides of the conflict in an immediate and refreshing manner that brings history alive.

The cartoon has a special place in the history of World War II, and the power of its message was felt by all sides of the conflict.