Personally, I think the best way to get a good understanding of modern US airpower is to work chronologically. Most people find WWII stuff boring, so I recommend starting with the Vietnam War, then moving to the First GulfWar, then the Kosovo War, then the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The Falklands War is very interesting because it gives a British and naval perspective (both of which are lacking from my current list), however, the author of that book was pretty pissed at how every thing was handled during his time as a pilot (and a lot of it I agree with), so the book sometimes ends up feeling a little 'rant-y'.
If you're looking for an action filled book about rotorcraft, then look no further and pick up Ed Macy's Apache. Some of the missions described in that book are just too insane, but somehow, they pulled it off.
Unsung Eagles - various snapshots of the less well-known but arguably more impactful pilots and their missions during WWII (pilot who flew channel rescue in a P-47, morale demonstration pilot, etc.)
Stuka Pilot - memoir of the most prolific aviator of Nazi Germany (and an unapologetic Nazi) who killed hundreds of tanks with his cannon-armed Stuka
The First Team - more academic historical look at the first US Naval Aviators in WWII
Overall/Other
Skunk Works - memoir of Ben Rich, head of Lockeed's top secret internal firm and his time working on the U-2, SR-71, and F-117 including anecdotes from pilots of all 3 and accounts of these remarkable planes' exploits.
Lords of the Sky - ambitious attempt to chronicle the rise and evolution of the "fighter pilot" from WWI to the modern day
Red Eagles: America's Secret MiGs - the story of the long-top secret group of pilots who evaluated and flew captured Soviet aircraft against US pilots to train them against these unknown foes.
Heir to the Empire - first of the Star Wars Thrawn Trilogy and the book that arguably sparked the growth of the Extended Universe of Star Wars
Devil in the White City - semi-fictional (mostly non-fiction) account of a serial killer who created an entire palace to capture and kill his prey during the Chicago World's Fair
Good Omens - dark comedy story of a demon and an angel trying to stop the end of the world because they like us too much
American Gods - fantastic story about how the old gods still walk among us
Personally, I think the best way to get a good understanding of modern US airpower is to work chronologically. Most people find WWII stuff boring, so I recommend starting with the Vietnam War, then moving to the First Gulf War, then the Kosovo War, then the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The Falklands War is very interesting because it gives a British and naval perspective (both of which are lacking from my current list), however, the author of that book was pretty pissed at how every thing was handled during his time as a pilot (and a lot of it I agree with), so the book sometimes ends up feeling a little 'rant-y'.
If you're looking for an action filled book about rotorcraft, then look no further and pick up Ed Macy's Apache. Some of the missions described in that book are just too insane, but somehow, they pulled it off.
After loads of reading on the bus to work every day, here follows my reading list for military aviation:
Modern
Vietnam
WWII
Overall/Other
Bonus non-military aviation
I highly second the recommendations of Snow Crash, Cryptonomicon, and Diamond Age. I would also recommend: