Masters of the Air: How the Bomber Boys Broke Down the Nazi War Machine has a well-earned place among World War II tomes, for both its deft writing and comprehensive, exhaustive research into the world’s first, only bomber war. It’s no mystery why the rightly-lauded book was the inspiration for the Apple TV miniseries from Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks.

Recently, The Folio Society, the publisher that has been making a name for itself by producing gorgeous hardback editions of celebrated works, brought an exclusive version of Masters of the Air to print. Packed with never-before-seen photos and an exclusive introduction by Tom Hanks, and this new edition has a place in the home of every lover of history.

I spoke with Donald Miller recently the genesis of Masters of the Air: How the Bomber Boys Broke Down the Nazi War Machine, working with The Folio Society for this new edition, what he learned in the course of his research, and what he hopes readers take away from the book.

 

 

FreakSugar: As a history teacher, I am all in for this book. I know you are a historian and an expert in World War II history, but what drew you to writing a book about the Bomber Boys?

Donald L. Miller: It’s a tremendous story and, up to now, never told in full. Bombing wasn’t an impersonal push-button operation. It involved close-in combat with enemy fighters and there were no fox holes in the sky or medics. Temperatures inside the bombers fell to 60° below zero. It was a new form of warfare. No one had ever fought or flown this high before; everything was new and experimental.

FS: For readers who might not be familiar with the original edition, what can you tell us about Masters of the Air: How the Bomber Boys Broke Down the Nazi War Machine?

DLM: Masters of the Air is the story of the young men and boys who first took the war to Hitler’s doorstep. In the longest military campaign of the war, they decimated the German Air Force allowing the D-Day invasion to go forward and decimate the Nazi war machine. In the process 26,000 airmen were killed, and 28,000 were captured and imprisoned for the duration of the war.

FS: Is there anything that surprised you in the course of your research for the book?

DLM: The tremendously high casualties. A bomber crewman stood only a one in three chance of survival. Over 70,000 American airmen were casualties. And contrary to popular belief, the bombing worked. It turned Nazi Germany into an industrial wasteland. Sadly nearly 600,000 civilians died under the bombs.

My book deals with the bombers as well as the bombed and addresses the moral issue of high-level bombing, and the pressing contemporary question of whether it is possible to bring about regime change in an authoritarian society through terror bombing.

I was shocked to learn of the Swiss government’s maltreatment of downed American bomber crews.

 

 

FS: How did this collaboration with The Folio Society come about? What can you tell us about this deluxe edition?

DLM: I was surprised and pleased to have the prestigious Folio Society offer to take on my book. The enhancements are tremendous and make it a treasure for readers. It is especially gratifying to see this new deluxe edition because there is no other available hardback addition of Masters.

FS: Following up on that, what has been your favorite part of this collaboration?

DLM: The expert staff at the Society made this a collaborative effort. I was consulted at every juncture and worked with them to secure photographs and documents that have been incorporated into the book. It was a perfect partnership.

FS: Beyond being entertained, is there anything that you hope readers take away from the book?

DLM: There are innumerable lessons in Masters about the perils and creative possibilities of warring against an authoritarian regime that refuses to surrender.

The Folio Society’s Edition of Masters of Air: How the Bomber Boys Broke Down the Nazi War Machine is on sale now! If you are lover of history and deft detail—both in content and presentation—this version of Masters of the Air is well worth your time.

From the official press release about the book:

Donald L. Miller’s seminal bestseller Masters of The Air: How the Bomber Boys Broke Down the Nazi War Machine is a soaring and stirring account of the world’s first and only bomber war. Drawing on personal letters, interviews and international archives, the New York Times best-selling book inspired the acclaimed Apple TV mini-series co-produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, starring Austin Butler and Callum Turner. Now the Folio Society, independent publisher of beautifully illustrated hardback books, will publish a deluxe edition of this deeply human account of courage, sacrifice and the brutal cost of strategic air power. The gorgeous hardcover title will feature an exclusive introduction by Tom Hanks, an introduction by Kirk Saduski, and over 60 photographs, including several previously unpublished shots, all captioned by the author. The Folio Society’s Edition of Masters of The Air: How the Bomber Boys Broke Down the Nazi War Machine will be published on March 3, 2026, joining other iconic wartime tomes from the Folio Society, including Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose, Dispatches by Michael Herr, and Shōgun by James Clavell.

“I am thrilled and honored to be included in the Folio Society’s roll of honor, authors from Homer to Hemingway who have transformed our lives,” said Donald Miller. “And I could not be more pleased with the enhancements that have transformed Masters of the Air, here introduced by Tom Hanks, producer of the film faithfully based on the book, into a collector’s delight: from the quality of paper and print, to the striking new artwork, to the handsome sleeve, and to the magnificent new photographs and illustrations, many in print for the first time. Working on this new edition with the Folio Society’s highly professional and deeply dedicated team was pure delight.”

In addition to the exclusive introduction by Tom Hanks, the 728-page Folio Society edition will be bound in printed and blocked cloth
and will feature: a photographic title page spread; 32 pages of black and white photographs; two black and white integrated maps; one diagram; a blocked slipcase; original illustrations from a 1940s B-17 manual stored in a separate pouch, which slips into the slipcase; and an exclusive reproduction of a famous piece of aviation art by master artist Gil Cohen.

“Writer Donald Miller has involved himself in this Folio book right from the start — and with his help, we have brought in some very special elements that take our version of Masters of The Air way beyond any previous incarnation,” said Folio Society Non Fiction Publisher Mandy Kirkby. “We’ve called upon many people who are part of this world: Tom Hanks; Kirk Saduski, who worked on the TV series; aviation artist Gil Cohen; the 100th Bomb Group, who have supplied rare photographs; and the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force. The result is the ultimate fan’s book. We can’t wait for readers on both sides of the Atlantic to dive into this unbeatable new edition.”

In Masters of The Air: How the Bomber Boys Broke Down the Nazi War Machine, historian and World War II expert Donald Miller brings us the story of the bomber boys who brought the war to Hitler’s doorstep. Unlike ground soldiers, they slept on clean beds, drank beer in local pubs, and danced to the swing music of the travelling Air Force bands. But they were also an elite group of fighters who put their lives on the line in the most dangerous role of all. Drawn from interviews, oral histories, and American, British and German archives, Masters of The Air takes readers from the adrenaline filled battles in the sky, to the airbases across England, the German prison camps, and onto the ground to understand the devastation faced by civilians.

The Folio Society edition of Masters of The Air: How the Bomber Boys Broke Down the Nazi War Machine will be available for £100 / US $145 from 4pm UK time (11am EST, 8am PT) on March 3, 2026 exclusively from The Folio Society. For more information, follow the Folio Society on social media:

Instagram: @foliosociety

Twitter: @foliosociety

Facebook: @thefoliosociety

TikTok: @foliosociety

YouTube: @TheFolioSociety

LinkedIn: The Folio Society Ltd

Hashtag: #foliosociety