Even after a century of commercial air travel, and in spite of the tens of thousands of safe plane trips taken every day, air disasters continue to fascinate. In this gripping book, Xavier Waterkeyn explores more than 200 notable air crashes, including bizarre accidents, hijackings and tales of miraculous survival. These exhaustively researched accounts are contextualised with information about the history and development of aviation, while incredible full-colour photographs demonstrate the terror and destruction wrought. From developments in mechanics and safety procedures, to in-depth explorations of changing airport security and the way accidents are investigated, Air Disasters of the World paints a fascinating picture of aviation through the decades.