I was going to start by saying this goes back a bit further than most suggestions but after the previous post it's relatively modern.
I received it as a Christmas present some years ago and at first assumed it was something picked up remaindered by a relation who thought anything about aeroplanes would be suitable for me.
I was wrong - it's a great book. I've lent it to a couple of people who've read it and promptly tracked down a copy for themselves.
Knights of the Air: The Life and Times of the Extraordinary Pioneers Who First Built British Aeroplanes - Peter King. ISBN 9780094681002
It covers Roe, de Havilland, Handley Page, the Short brothers and most of the rest of the UK pioneers up to the time they retired, died, got taken over or whatever.
Several available from the usual sources around the net from a few pounds.