Military historians Wright and Greenwood start with the Parachute Test Platoon of 1940 and build to the amazing technologies of twenty-first century parachutists, punctuating their text with a vast collection of period photographs, including many in full color. Along with accounts by jumpers Wright and Greenwood chart the growth of the parachute warfare movement, track the improvements in training and technology, and explain the role of support personnel, including pilots, chute folders, and administrators, The result is often visually stunning, as the photographs are well-chosen and, poignant, as the jumpers are often alarmingly young. Annotation ©2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)