In the wake of Apple TV+’s acclaimed miniseries Masters of the Air, excitement about the World War II “Bloody Hundredth” has surged once again. To capitalize on this renewed interest, the book that served as the series’ foundation is receiving a lavish upgrade. On March 3, 2026, The Folio Society will release a deluxe edition of Donald L. Miller’s Masters of the Air: How the Bomber Boys Broke Down the Nazi War Machine.
This premium edition features over 60 archival photographs, including some never published before, and new aviation artwork. It also includes an exclusive introduction by Tom Hanks and insights from series co-producer Kirk Saduski. Available only through The Folio Society from March 3, 2026, this edition will retail for £100/$145 and comes in a slipcased hardback format.
Exclusive Content and High-End Presentation
Miller describes this edition as a significant upgrade, not only visually but also in terms of content. He shared with Military.com:
The Folio edition of Masters of the Air is distinctive in its handsome enhancements and additions: its eye-catching new cover and sleeve; its high-grade paper and print, easy on the eye and satisfying to the touch; its arresting new photographs of aerial combat and base life, many of them never published before; its magnified color reproduction, in a specially designed pocket, of the inner workings of a B-17 pulled from a rarely seen full-color manual made for the plane’s combat pilots; a striking reproduction of Robert Rosenthal speaking to his crew before a mission, painted by aviation artist Gil Cohen; stirring introductions by Tom Hanks and co-producer Kirk Saduski; and graphic combat maps.
Donald L. Miller/Military.com
Miller also highlighted the edition’s appeal to collectors, noting its unique qualities and stating:
This is a treasure for devotees of the air war, as a hardback edition of the book is no longer available. The quality of the book is unsurpassed; it’s one of a kind, and I am as proud of it as I am of the television series and documentary film we made from it.
Donald L. Miller/Military.com
Reviving the Story of the “Bloody Hundredth”
The Folio Society’s edition follows the success of the Apple TV+ series, which ran from January to March 2024. Produced by Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks, the series highlighted the perilous missions of the 100th Bombardment Group, known as the “Bloody Hundredth” for their high casualty rates.
During their 22 months of combat, the group suffered 732 airmen killed, 923 taken prisoner, and 177 aircraft lost. The series, starring Austin Butler and Barry Keoghan, brought renewed attention to these stories, depicting the dangerous missions and the psychological toll on the crews.
This collector’s edition aims to provide a richly illustrated and archival look back at the history that inspired the series, catering to both fans of the show and history enthusiasts.
Availability and Purchase Information
The Folio Society edition of Masters of the Air: How the Bomber Boys Broke Down the Nazi War Machine will be available for £100 / US $145 starting at 4 pm UK time (11 am EST, 8 am PT) on March 3, 2026. It will be sold exclusively through The Folio Society’s website.
This edition joins a collection of wartime classics offered by The Folio Society, including Band of Brothers by Stephen E. Ambrose and Dispatches by Michael Herr, providing readers with a visually rich and comprehensive version of Miller’s account.
