William F. Althoff

The range of this study is rather wider then simply the career of one unit of the United States Navy. In as much as the "Los Angeles" was the backbone of the Navy's rigid airship program for most of her existance, she thus becomes a useful lens through which to view the whole program. Besides that, Althoff provides a wealth of material on what it actually took to operate a dirigible. Plus there are many fine illustrations to further bolster this history. I'm reluctant to call any book a "must have" work, but if you're into lighter-than-air vessels this is a must have book.… (more)