The conception of the Pegasus engine in 1956 upset all the conventions of aircraft design. Normally aircraft designers seek a suitable engine, but the Pegasus was an engine seeking a suitable aircraft. The aircraft that resulted was the Harrier, and the rest, as they say, is history. Whilst this book concentrates, in considerable detail, on the engine, it also covers the background to VTOL flight, other VTOL aircraft designs and, inevitably, the Harrier itself. The author was appointed Commercial Manager, Pegasus in 1975, and was responsible for the engine’s commercial fortunes for sixteen years, so writes from a personal knowledge. At 543 pages, something of a ‘door-stop’, but one overflowing with photos, drawings and diagrams, as well as a very readable and informative text. Hardbound. Pen and Sword.