Ian Castle has lived in London all his life, and in this, his latest book for Osprey, he combines his passion for military history with a fascination for the history of the city. His previous books have focused on his other great interests- the Napoleonic Wars and Britain's 19th-century wars in South Africa, but this is the first exploring his interests in the early aviation pioneers. Christa Hook began her illustrating career in 1986. Her work has featured extensively in the worlds of publishing and television, and she has established herself as one of Osprey's most popular illustrators. Her illustrations combine the historian's attention to detail with the artist's sense of drama and atmosphere, and they are sought after by collectors worldwide. She has had work selected for the Laing Land and Seascape Exhibition 2000 at the Mall, and the Not the Royal Academy Exhibition 2000 at the Llewellyn Alexander Gallery.