The Jasta War Chronology is a first rate piece of research, and such is nothing less than what one could expect from Norman Franks and his fellow contributors. If you are looking for a book to read cover to cover then this is not it. But valuable research it is. Simply put, it is a compilation of various raw records into a refined system which allows the reader to track the daily claims and losses of German fighter units in World War One. In essence, it fits as close to a primary source document as most can get regarding this topic, and the reader is able to follow nearly every German pilot's career. The additional explanitory notes are highly valuable, as they often show the name of the Allied flyers shot down, and their fate. One can use this material to cross-reference it to other lists and reports in order to fill in gaps regarding certain aspects of WW I aviation. Franks and his crew have certainly done their homework, and this is a "must" reference work for any serious student of WW I aviation.

I think of this book as an encyclopedia of the Jagdstaffeln of the Imperial German Air Service. There are no first-hand accounts of air combat. Instead, this book is the product of countless hours of painstaking research into the history of the German fighter units of World War I. It is, in short, a reference book, as opposed to easy reading. A half-page history of each Jasta is given. A map showing the locations of the Jasta airfields is cross-referenced to those units that operated there at any time during the war. The map is best read with the aid of a magnifying glass! A chronological listing of the commanders of each Jasta is presented, along with a summary of each pilot accredited with one or more victories. The heart of the book is an alphabetical list of the Jasta pilots, giving a brief summary of their combat records. There are a number of good black and white group photos of many of the Jastas. Of special interest to model enthusiasts, a number of black and white aircraft profile views illustrate the characteristic markings used by the Jastas at various times during the war. Comprehensive lists of casualties round out the volume. In summary, this book should prove invaluable to anyone wishing to pursue serious historical or biographical research into German fighter operations during the Great War.

I have this book as a text for a political science class I'm taking at the Rochester Institute of Technology. Though a bit pricey at $40, I truly find this a solid read. It should be appropriate for all levels of reader, though it seems to be geared towards those with at least basic knowledge of the American political system.