Slipstream: the autobiography of an air craftsman

"Slipstream: The Autobiography of an Air Craftsman" by Eugene E. Wilson is an autobiography that explores a life immersed in the world of flight, from the battlefields of World War I to the technological leaps of World War II. The narrative follows Wilson’s development as an aeronautical engineer, set against a backdrop of shifting military strategies and political disputes, such as the contrasting visions of air power championed by figures like General Billy Mitchell and Admiral William Adger Moffett. Reflecting on his appointment to the Bureau of Aeronautics, Wilson’s story shows the critical necessity of integrating technological advancements for both military and civilian use, sparking discussions about the role of air transport and the ongoing debate over military against civilian control of the skies, painting a picture of the aviation industry’s evolution and its complex trials.