From transforming the ways of war to offering godlike views of inaccessible spots, revolutionizing rescues worldwide, and providing some of our most-watched TV moments—including the cloud of newscopters that trailed O. J. Simpson’s Bronco—the helicopter is far more capable than early inventors expected. Now James Chiles profiles the many helicoptrians who contributed to the development of this amazing machine, and pays tribute to the selfless heroism of pilots and crews. A virtual flying lesson and scientific adventure tale, The God Machine is more than the history of an invention; it is a journey into the minds of imaginative thinkers and a fascinating look at the ways they changed our world.

"An engaging blend of pop science and pop culture.... Chiles explores the helicopter's role in history and culture, from its visionary beginnings ... to its heroic age during the Vietnam war, to its present workaday role lifting and hauling, monitoring traffic and car chases, saving victims of flood waters and skyscraper infernos.... [A] sprightly history."—Publishers Weekly

"Lively.... Sketches of machine designs enrich the text.... Should be a required purchase for academic libraries serving engineering or aviation programs and for aeronautical corporation or aviation flight department collections."—Library Journal

“Entertaining … part history, part technical exploration, part flying lesson…. Delivers an avalanche of information with enough lucidity and enthusiasm to captivate not only aviation buffs, but general readers as well.”Kirkus Reviews

Roger Connor, Specialist, National Air and Space Museum, Smithsonian Institution

From the Hardcover edition.