The Schneider Trophy Races by Ralph Barker

The Schneider Trophy was a trophy awarded as prize to the winner of a speed race between seaplanes. The races was held between 1913 and 1931, when it was won outright by Britian.

This is a very well written account, complete and styleful. Tense descriptions of the races themselves are interspersed with descriptions of the inter-race politics (particularly British), and descriptions of the technical advances.

In terms of British history, the Schneider Trophy races are important, for in them Henry Royce and Mitchell were brought together, and from that union the Spitfire was born, symbol of freedom from Nazi opression.