The book, The War In The Air: A Pictorial History Of World War II Air Forces In Combat is a comprehensive survey that begins with an account of the years after World War I and follows the growth and development of the airplane until its emergence as the preeminent combat weapon of World War II.  Combat photographs follow the progress of the war in the air from its beginning in September 1939 in Poland, through all areas of the world until the close of hostilities against Japan in September 1945.  The major sections of "The War In The Air: A Pictorial History Of World War II Air Forces In Combat" are as follows: 1) Foreword; 2) Introduction; 3) Chapter 1 - The Build-Up; 4) Chapter 2 - Air War Begins; 5) Chapter 3 - Battle Of Britain; 6) Chapter 4 - Air War Becomes Global; 7) Chapter 5 - Defeat Of The Luftwaffe; 8) Chapter 6 - Air War In The Pacific; 9) Photo-Index Of Planes and 10) Index.  "The War In The Air: A Pictorial History Of World War II Air Forces In Combat" includes many never before published photographs of German, Japanese and Russian air activities.  Other photographs included in this book come from previously restricted photographs and information from the United States Army Air Force wartime publication, Impact along with photographs of United States Navy aircraft taken by Edward Steichen.  Also included are hundreds of photographs of the Royal Air Force in action in all combat theaters, taken from the collection of the Imperial War Museum in London.  On-the-scene sketches made by Clayton Knight of the United States Twentieth Air Force in the Pacific during World War II serve to round out the illustrations presented in this book.  In addition to an informative narrative, "The War In The Air: A Pictorial History Of World War II Air Forces In Combat" includes the following features: 1) Approximately 976 black and white vintage photographs; 2) About 37 black and white illustrations; 3) Approximately 15 maps and 4) Photo-Index Of Planes that includes 58 three-view black and white aircraft profiles with accompanying specifications.  This book is 352 pages and is in good condition with a number of small tears on the dust cover.  The author is Gene Gurney with General Curtis E. LeMay USAF (foreword).  Edition published in 1962.