Gadling

Here's another one to file under, "It's about frickin' time."

America from the Air is a 352-page book loaded with aerial photographs of the United States. What's the big deal about that, you ask? Well, this particular book is designed to be used as a flying resource companion for those who like to stare out the window when they fly but have no idea what they're staring at.

America from the Air is organized by flight so that a person flying from New York to Seattle, for example, can consult the book and identify the strange objects and geological formations along the route, 30,000 feet below. And, not only that, but authors Daniel Mathews and James Jackson provide detailed explanations for some of the more fascinating landmarks.

I simply love this idea. I usually keep my nose pressed to the Plexiglas the rare times I get a window seat and spend most of my flight wondering what the Hell I'm looking at. Now I'll finally know--although I'd opt for the accompanying CD-ROM version to plug into my laptop instead of lugging the book around (as suggested by the fine folks at Wired Magazine).

For an example of what to expect, click here.

Filed under: Airlines, Books