Author David Romanowski and Smithsonian Books offer up this 3rd edition of the OFFICIAL GUIDE TO THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM. Published in 2009, it offers a colorful, entertaining and informative guide to the jewel that is NASM.
Since 1976, over a quarter billion men, women and children have toured NASM. Hundreds of airplanes, space vehicles and artifacts are imaginatively displayed at NASM and the Udvar-Hazy Center, chronicling flight in America. Though I've never been to the latter facility, I did tour NASM recently and it's a wonderful treat whether you're an airplane nut or not.
After a brief preface by current director John Dailey, Romanowski traces the history of NASM from its beginnings in the late 1800s to the present. He then takes a look at the Milestones of Flight Gallery and the various aviation and space galleries. The informative text is highlighted by dozens of gorgeous color photographs. The in-your-face close-ups are absoluely superb. Brown also details the Planetarium, IMAX Theater, Udvar-Hazy Center, etc. I wish Brown had included an index but that's just me.
If you're planning a vacation to our nation's capital, save time for NASM. As revealed in Brown's book, it's a world-class museum with aviation/space wonders galore. And let OFFICIAL GUIDE TO THE SMITHSONIAN NATIONAL AIR AND SPACE MUSEUM be your guide. Recommended.