Book recommendations wanted - Planes !

[V6Alfisti]

I have always had an interest in planes, mostly the passenger airlines (but jets/interesting planes also appeal) but I know about 0.0001% of the information I do for cars.

Thus I am looking for recommendations of a book/few books that will give me the following overview.

1) The different models from the largest manufacturers, the evolution of models and how I differentiate them. Also which airlines run what?
2) The manufacturing lifecycle from the SME's? (Who are they, what do they make?) to the Rolls Royces of the world, onto the plane manufacturers (Airbus/Boeing e.t.c) and airlines
3) General information about the lifecycles of planes, higher level design considerations e.t.c

Any recommendations folks?

Edited by V6Alfisti on Monday 30th April 10:47

[Yertis]

I would start with Wide Body by Clive Irving, which will give you a basis of knowledge about how modern airliners (and airlines) came to be the way they are. It's a great read too.

[Eric Mc]

Seconded regarding "Widebody".

One of my favourite books on early post war airliner flying is this one -