Training the Right Stuff: The Aircraft That Produced America’s Jet Pilots

by Mark A. Frankel & Tommy H. Thomason

Jets behaved like nothing before them; accident rates soared. It wasn’t until 1948 that the military had a proper jet trainer—developed with private funds! This splendid book takes us from biplane to high-tech simulator.

The World’s Most Expensive Watches

by Ariel Adams

Don’t let the title put you off—this book is not about mindless consumption. There’s a reason, mostly, why some things are expensive and you’ll find out why here. The book itself is very opulent, and not even all that expensive.

The Vintage Years of Airfix Box Art

by Roy Cross

“Don’t judge a book by its cover!” But do judge an Airfix kit by its box top! Countless people did just that—and Airfix sold millions of its kits on the strength of their dramatic, dynamic, and realistic box-top artwork.

Zen and the Art of Collecting Old Cars

by Bruce Valley

After six decades around interesting cars, there are stories to be told, stories that may well save the reader headaches. Even if you’re a seasoned collector, there’s always something useful about comparing notes.

Bulli Love

by Edwin Baaske (ed.)

Sixty-five years old, the VW Transporter is still being built. This book of photo essays is by and for people who love their Bullies.

Gentleman Heroes

by Giles Chapman with Clare Hay

If there is such a thing as “the most recognizable Bentley,” this may be the one. It didn’t win a lot, it didn’t hold up very well, but it played a singular and important role. And its price today is in the stratosphere.

The Black Echo

by Michael Connelly

To fully enjoy a series of well-done detective novels, it is both entertaining and enlightening to start with the first one and read ‘em all sequentially. Michael Connelly’s Bosch procedurals are well worth the effort.

“Sam” – Marshal of the Royal Air Force the Lord Elworthy

by Richard Mead

KG, GCB, CBE, DSO, LVO, DFC, AFC, MA—this letter salad bespeaks a highly decorated life. It is only fitting that a biography of this distinguished officer should appear during the RAF’s Centenary year.

Horten Ho 229

by Andrei I. Shepelev & Huib Ottens

The work of the Horten brothers is very remarkable, especially given their young age and the circumstances under which they worked. The Ho 229 was their last and most ambitious project—yielding lessons that are puzzling engineers still.

The Rise and Fall of the French Alpine Rally

by Martin Pfundner

How better to shake out cars—and impress the buying public—than by flogging them up and down hairy mountain passes. The French took their time embracing it but once they did, they stuck with it. Finally, here’s a proper book in English.