Skip to content

Air Empire: British Imperial Civil Aviation, 1919-39
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Air Empire: British Imperial Civil Aviation, 1919-39 Hardcover - 2009

by Gordon Pirie; Andrew Thompson (Editor); John M. MacKenzie (Editor)


From the publisher

Air empire is a fresh study of civil aviation as a tool of late British imperialism. The first pioneering flights across the British empire in 1919-20 were flag-waving adventures that recreated an era of plucky British maritime exploration and conquest. Britain's development of international air routes and services was approved, organised and celebrated largely in London; there was some resistance in and beyond the subordinate colonies and dominions. Negotiating the financing and geopolitics of regular commercial air service delayed its inception until the 1930s. Technological, managerial and logistical problems also meant that Britain was slow into the air and slow in the air. Propaganda concealed underperformance and criticism. The study uses archival sources, biographies, industry magazines and newspapers to chronicle the disputed progress toward air empire. The rhetoric behind imperial air service offers a glimpse of late imperial hopes, fears, attitudes and style. Empire air service had emotional appeal and symbolic value, but disappointed in practice.

From the rear cover

Air empire is a fresh study of civil aviation as a tool of late British imperialism. The first pioneering flights across the British empire in 1919-20 were flag-waving adventures that recreated an era of plucky British maritime exploration and conquest. Britain's development of international air routes and services was approved, organised and celebrated largely in London; there was some resistance in and beyond the subordinate colonies and dominions. Negotiating the financing and geopolitics of regular commercial air service delayed its inception until the 1930s. Technological, managerial and logistical problems also meant that Britain was slow into the air and slow in the air. Propaganda concealed underperformance and criticism. The study uses archival sources, biographies, industry magazines and newspapers to chronicle the disputed progress toward air empire. The rhetoric behind imperial air service offers a glimpse of late imperial hopes, fears, attitudes and style. Empire air service had emotional appeal and symbolic value, but disappointed in practice.

Details

  • Title Air Empire: British Imperial Civil Aviation, 1919-39
  • Author Gordon Pirie; Andrew Thompson (Editor); John M. MacKenzie (Editor)
  • Binding Hardcover
  • Pages 264
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Manchester University Press, U.S.A.
  • Date 2009
  • Illustrated Yes
  • ISBN 9780719041112 / 0719041112
  • Weight 1.25 lbs (0.57 kg)
  • Dimensions 9.3 x 6 x 0.9 in (23.62 x 15.24 x 2.29 cm)
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 1900-1949
    • Cultural Region: British
  • Dewey Decimal Code 387.709

About the author


Gordon Pirie is Professor of Geography at the University of the Western Cape in greater Cape Town, South Africa
Back to Top

More Copies for Sale

Air empire: British imperial civil aviation, 1919-39 (Studies in Imperialism, 79)
Stock Photo: Cover May Be Different

Air empire: British imperial civil aviation, 1919-39 (Studies in Imperialism, 79)

by Pirie, Gordon

  • Used
  • near fine
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Near Fine
Edition
1st Edition
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780719041112 / 0719041112
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Norwich, Norfolk, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$73.47
$34.20 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Manchester University Press, 2009. 1st Edition . Hardcover. Near Fine/Near Fine. 2009 first edition hardback in near fine condition. Light pencil marks to several pages. Otherwise in fine condition. No other marks, clean and bright, tight binding, flawless red cloth boards. In its original, unclipped dust wrapper with minimal shelf wear. A lovely copy. Items are dispatched the same or the following working day. Please note our excellent customer feedback.
Item Price
$73.47
$34.20 shipping to USA
AIR EMPIRE: BRITISH IMPERIAL CIVIL AVIATION, 1919-39
More Photos

AIR EMPIRE: BRITISH IMPERIAL CIVIL AVIATION, 1919-39

by Pirie, Gordon

  • Used
  • Hardcover
  • first
Condition
Used - Nearly Fine
Edition
1st edition.
Binding
Hardcover
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9780719041112 / 0719041112
Quantity Available
1
Seller
Monmouthshire, Aberdeen, United Kingdom
Seller rating:
This seller has earned a 5 of 5 Stars rating from Biblio customers.
Item Price
$79.81
$23.94 shipping to USA

Show Details

Description:
Published by Manchester University Press, 2009. 1st edition.. Hardback. Nearly Fine/Very Good. Nearly fine condition in a nearly fine dustwrapper. Red boards with gilt title to spine. B/w photos.
Item Price
$79.81
$23.94 shipping to USA