When you read the introduction you suddenly realize what a special book this is. The author states in the foreword that almost nothing was known about the early Belgian aviation pioneer Léon de Brouckère at the moment when he started his research on this pioneer. The result of his intensive work stretched out over 10 years has resulted that their is now a 288 p. book on de Brouckère his life and his designs. The book is beautifully presented and the old original pictures are presented at their very best. Surely this book is for those interested in aviation history before 1914 the event of the year 2014.
There is another remark in the foreword of the author - Mr. Lantmeeters - which keep you thinking. The Belgian aviation pioneers which worked so intensively before the war have been largely forgotten mainly to the dark 4 years of German occupation. It is deplorable, but at least this book has made a case for Léon de Brouckère. ( )