This fascinating account of the development of aviation in Alaska examines the daring missions of pilots who initially opened up the territory for military positioning and later for trade and tourism. Early Alaskan military and bush pilots navigated some of the highest and most rugged terrain on earth; taking off and landing on glaciers; mudflats; and active volcanoes. Although they were consistently portrayed by industry leaders and lawmakers alike as cowboys―and their planes compared to settlers' covered wagons―the reality was that aviation catapulted Alaska onto a modern; global stage; the federal government subsidized aviation's growth in the territory as part of the Cold War defense against the Soviet Union. Through personal stories; industry publications; and news accounts; historian Katherine Johnson Ringsmuth uncovers the ways that Alaska's aviation growth was downplayed in order to perpetuate the myth of the cowboy spirit and the desire to tame what many considered to be the last frontier.
#2457538 in Books 2005-06-14Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.00 x 1.25 x 6.00l; 1.67 #File Name: 0295985062448 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Unbelivably SpecificBy EsotericWafflesAmazing; if dense; work describing the production of Hindu-Muslim violence. He shifts somewhat drastically from the rest of the foray in his field by changing the methodology of interpreting riots in India. This is to say that he views the causes of riots in India as a analytical quagmire and; instead; chooses to focus on how riots are produced rather than why. A very impressive work with an astounding amount of research. Congratulations.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Excellent coverage of a complex subjectBy Anon AnonFascinating; well written; very clear; very well researched.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. great sociology booksBy Hanifthis book is a valuable asset for any sociologist and specifically people of inidan origin. Mr. Brass is a scholar par excellence and has shown is schlorship throughout his book. The conflicts between Hindus and muslims are very real and serves the purpose of vested intrests. I hope more people read this book and understand the politics of relgion
