An incredible 30,000 flights - at least - arrive safely at their destinations every day. But a handful don't, while some come terrifyingly close to crashing. When even the smallest thing does go wrong at 35,000 feet, the result is nearly always a fast-unfolding tragedy.

jThis extensive collection of compelling real-life accounts of air disasters and near-disasters provides a sobering, alternative history of the just over 105 years that passengers have been traveling by air, from the very earliest fatality to recent calamities.

But there are incredible stories of heroism against...