This work is a comprehensive, heavily-illustrated history of the many different types of flying boats and amphibious aircraft designed and built in the United States. It is divided into three chronological sections: the early era (1912-1928), the golden era (1928-1945), and the postwar era (1945 - present), with historical overviews of each period. Within each section, individual aircraft types are listed in alphabetical order by manufacturer or builder, with historical background, technical specifications, drawings, and one or more photographs. There is an appendix that covers lesser known flying boat and amphibian types as well as several design concepts that never achieved the flying stage.