Independent scholar Lundstrom presents an operational history of carrier-based air warfare in the Pacific during the period 1939-1945. Drawing upon interviews with both American and Japanese pilots, he recounts the exploits of a group of ace fighter pilots known as the "first team" and places their extraordinary accomplishments within the context of larger carrier operations. The appendices offer supplemental information on such topics as aerial fixed gunnery, naval flight formations, and Japanese combat methods. This is the first paperback edition of a volume previously published in 1990. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)