5 comments about Merchant of Death: Money, Guns, Planes, and the Man Who Makes War Possible.

1. This well-written book was delivered on time and in good condition. My review title is light-hearted, the subject of the book is not. This is an inside look at the rise of Victor Bout, a former Soviet Air Force officer, as the superstar of modern gun running. The details of how he did it, and how the US and other nations and NGOs tracked and treated his organization, are all in the book. This is an eye-opener for the common citizen on one of todays most pressing transnational threats. >Sam



2. I am reading "Merchant of Death: Money, Guns, Planes, and the Man Who Makes War Possible," will finish it shortly and have no intention of putting it down. That said, I still don't know why it was one of The Washington Post's top book picks of the year.
   
   Despite the title, which to me at least promised a more or less exiting and seamless story, what you get can better be described as "raw intel." It is essentially a synopsis and compilation of data the author has assembled on the book's subject. Clearly the author has formed his own conclusions about Mr. Bout, but the evidence is somewhat contradictory. Did he in fact work for the U.S. at one time, or only for its enemies?
   
   The book cites many United Nations reports, and the book itself could easily be one from among them. Facts are presented without even an overall chronological narative to place them in context and help organize
   their absorption.
   
   The author clearly wants the reader to know about his subject who he regards as a very bad dude. Perhaps unintentionally, the more troubling aspect that emerges is that of bureaucrats in the essentially policy arms of government using law enforcement, anybody's law enforcement; particular law doesn't matter, country doesn't matter, to achieve their policy objectives. I will have to be excused if I find that idea less than heroic.
   
   Merchant of Death will be of interest to those who have a particular interest in Viktor Bout, its subject, and the operations of obscure lower level national security staff. Otherwise you may find that you purchased Merchant of Death but what was deliverd came from a merchant of tedium.



3. This book on Bout is basically a case study on what global crime has evolved into today. Drug cartels, traffickers, counterfeiters, terrorists and basically every illicit business uses a organizational structure such as is described in this book. It is quite terrifying what they can do and how they use globalization against us. I just read a book about how this fits into the big picture (Illicit: How Smugglers, Traffickers and Copycats are Hijacking the Global Economy by Moises Naim). I would definitely read both to get a clear picture into what's going on.
   
   On a side note... there is awesome news. Viktor Bout has recently been arrested in Thailand as part of a DEA sting and is awaiting deportation. Goodbye Viktor Bout!!!



4. What could have been a great story reads like a fork in the eye. I tortured myself through about 1/3 of the book then jumped to the end by reading a paragraph or two in the rest of the chapters. If I had it to do over I would just read the jacket and throw the book in the recycle bin.



5. My background to the book - I'm a big fan of the movie Lord of War.
   
   Ordered this book, was very excited about it and ultimately just found it to be a real drag to finish, very boring. It's not so much of a story as it is just a listing of [alledged] facts.
   
   There are a few interesting parts but overall was just painful to wade through. I guess this book might be interesting to someone who wanted a summary of information known about Victor Bout - but not compelling as a story.

No comments about The Dream Machine: The Untold History of the Notorious V-22 Osprey.

4 comments about Strike from the Sea: U.S. Navy Attack Aircraft from Skyraider to Super Hornet, 1948-Present.

1. This is wonderfully comprehensive and well written history of U. S. Navy attack aircraft and aviation over the past 60 years. The evolution of all the significant first-line planes and those that didn't quite make the grade and those that simply never left the drawing board is all presented in extremely readable and interesting fashion by Mr. Thomason. The quality and uniqueness of the photos and illustrations is excellent. The explanations of the differences, improvements, development of the aircraft and their weaponry is the best on the subject I've ever seen. A truly exceptional aviation volume, well above the usual offering. It expertly handles a complicated subject with great skill and accuracy. A fascinating and unique book, which I would unhesitatingly recommend to anyone interested in the subject matter. Additionally, Amazon is offering it at a very attractive price.



2. Just as good as "U.S. Naval Air Superiority", Thomason's previous book. Lots of insight into the development of modern strike aircraft, and plenty of information about the blind alleys (A2U Attack Cutlass, for example). Also a lot of information about the little-known money pit/procurement disaster, the General Dynamics A-12. Excellent pictures and first-rate text. Authorative and informative; highly recommended.



3. I hesitate to write a review at this point, as I haven't finished it yet, but.........this is good. Very, very good. Enough background information to satisfy almost anyone. A perfect companion to his US Naval Air Superiority, but covering a longer time period.
   You get the feeling that the work that went into this meant something, and the results are worth it. A touch of humour in what could be a dry subject in other hands. Also obvious personal knowledge of the people who were involved.
   Production stanadrds are high, most photos I haven't seen published prior to this, and the side excursions into related (non attack) aircraft and or problems illuminate the subject. Having read many books over the years, every page tells me something I hadn't known before.
   What's he going to write next?



4. The book is thorough, comprehensive, very well written, accurate. A "must-have" for any one interested in carrier aviation.

4 comments about Fw 190 Sturmbocke vs B-17 Flying Fortress: Europe 1944-45 (Duel).

1. My discounted copy of this new 'Duel' title arrived today - at this price these titles are worth getting. The Osprey 'preview' image from this volume depicting JG 300 pilots Loos & Dahl boring in on the 303rd BG over Bitburg, 15 Aug 44 appaeared on a number of web-sites pre-publication and my 11-year old thinks its pretty decent - I have to agree this type of computer-art beats the usual dreary battle scene 'painting' in these titles even if the Fw 190's are too close together and the rear B-17 gunner wouldn't be firing a stream of tracer. Whether I can actually persuade my son to read any of the text will be another matter altogether. There seems to be rather more words here than in previous 'Duel' titles starting with a chronology that curiously ends on 2 December 1944. The themes of FW 190 as 'bomber killer' over Germany are explored and there are chapters on the design and devlopment of both types with technical specifications and cutaway artworks, before the author moves on to outline the strategic situation in the European air war. Again. This is a 'Duel' volume - author & publisher should have looked at presenting a couple of the larger air battles over Germany in detail - rather than devoting pages to a strategic overview. There is no chronological account - there isn't the space in this book's 80 pages for anything more than a cursory overview. I particularly liked the B-17 artwork illustrating the various fighting compartments and there are some personal accounts of coming under fire from German fighters. There is a full page colour artwork of the FW 190 cockpit and more artwork depicting the Sturm fighter closing on a bomber Pulk from astern. Photos are small and a little dark and have all been published elsewhere, which is disappointing. Bizarrely the text goes on to discuss the Sonderkommando Elbe ramming Bf 109s of April 1945. There is no detail at all on the huge bomber battles that took place over Germany during late December 1944 and early January 1945.
   
   Some of the text I've read seems curiously to focus on Walther Dahl of JG 300 - there are several pictures of him and his Fw 190s and a full page profile. While acknowledging that his autobiography "Rammjäger" was 'colourful' the book repeats all the old chestnuts regarding his supposed 128 victories and his huge accumulation of bomber kills - for which the authors of the two volume JG 300 history quoted in this book's bibliography found little or no evidence of course. There is a full page given over to a listing of leading Luftwaffe B-17 'killers'. There are two pages devoted to a bibliography entitled 'Further Reading' which includes German-language titles that I somehow doubt will be of interest to the average Duel -series purchaser.
   
   As for the timeline ending on 2 December as already mentioned, that has to be a typo, and should read 24 December, which was the date of IV.(Sturm)/JG3's last big success in the West. Otherwise the book itself is a very selective look at various aspects of the daylight bombing campaign focusing on training, the machines, the men. Nothing to do with the author I doubt, but this is a title assembled to fit a tightly outlined format and as such doesn't work very well at all for me.



2. The heavily armed and rugged Fw 190 was a B-17 crewman's worst nightmare. Moreso than its Bf 109 stablemate, the 'Butcher Bird' had the firepower and staying power to decimate 8th AF B-17 and B-24 units especially those lacking fighter escort. The combats fought between Fw 190s and B-17s are the subject of this 2009 Osprey release, the latest in their 'Duel' series. Over the years Robert Forsyth has written several wonderful Luftwaffe histories; unfortunately his latest effort misses the mark.
   
   Though the idea of pitting the Fw 190 against the B-17 appealed to me initally, I had misgivings about the appropriateness of the match-up. Pitting a P-51 against a Bf 109, for instance, is valid, both aircraft having pluses and minuses in a dogfight. In a Fw 190/B-17 combat however, there was/is no comparison. The Fort always functioned as a clay pigeon albeit a well-armed clay pigeon!
   
   While Forsyth checked off all the squares in the established Duel format, the book doesn't jell into a comprehensive, cohesive whole. He does detail each aircraft's development and design, the training received by its pilot/aircrew, tech specs and so on.
   
   My problem lies in the 'Stategic Situation,' 'Combat,' 'Statistics and Analysis' and 'Aftermath' sections. Some of the material in the first section seemed to fit better in the second and vice versa. As regards the Combat section, there were a number of engagements where Fw 190s caught unescorted B-17 units and did great execution: 6 March 1944, Berlin; 12 May 1944, Brux; 28 Sept. 1944, Magdeburg; 2 Nov. 1944, Merseburg; etc. Had Forsyth used a straight chronological approach focusing on some/all of those combats, his narrative would have been more apropos to the Duel 'who won?' bottom line. Then too, the Stats/Analysis section was too confusing for my simple mind; too much 1:8 of this and 3.6 of that. The Aftermath coda wasted space on Bodenplate, Kommando Elbe and YB-40s, all of which added little to the main topic.
   
   The book's artwork though was a definite plus. The colorful cockpit and tail turret diagrams, armament views and attack formations were interesting and helpful. Gareth Hector's combat scene of JG 300 '190s closing in on 303rd BG Forts was eye-catching. And Jim Laurier's cover artwork, especially the JG 4 scene, was simply magnificent.
   
   So, while the Fw 190/B-17 idea sounds good, for it to succeed, you really need a sharply focused narrative that separates air combats from air campaigns. And, to do justice to such a match-up probably required more than the standard Duel 80-page format. As is, Fw 190 STURMBOCKE VS B-17 FLYING FORTRESS, EUROPE 1944-45 has an unfinished, or perhaps more accurately, a poorly focused feel to it. Great cover art though!



3. This book is nothing more than a collection disparate facts and many grainy old photos and drawings. The actual experiences of German and American crews were far and few between. In all good conscience, I cannot recommend this book to the serious student of the WWII air war (1944-45) over Europe.



4. This is another work in the Duel series, published by Osprey. It seems to me to be fairly representative of other entries in the series. There are a series of photos that contribute to a sense of the contending planes, in the duel between American bombers (the B-17) and German interceptors (FW 190). There are also maps that provide context on the geographic scope of the duel.
   
   The book begins with a bit of history, the recognition by some that bombers could be important weapons in warfare. Americans began to test several possible models. One of these became the B-17 "Flying Fortress." The discussion is not lengthy, but it does give background. Following are sections on the "design and development" of the planes and the technical specifications.
   
   Then, the actual battle situation. As with others in this series, treatments tend to be brief (that is, after all, one hallmark of this series). The combatants are discussed, including their training. We learn of the exploits of some of the German pilots) some of the numbers of planes shot down appear incredible). Combat tactics are discussed, as well as the evolution of those tactics, as both sides tried to figure out how to perform better.
   
   The fate of the German air force is well told, as pilots received less and less training and experienced pilots were killed off by attrition.
   
   Another nice entry in the Duel series. . . .

5 comments about Red Eagles: America's Secret MiGs (General Aviation).

1. Anyone who has read any titles from this author would expect a great deal of primary research and this book doesn't disappoint. In fact, it goes beyond anything else he has produced, which is remarkable considering the absolute secrecy surrounding the Red Eagles. As a former customer of the Red Eagles, I can attest to the close hold nature of the entire operation. Nobody talked about it, period. It was just such a unique and good deal that nobody wanted to jeopardize it. This books captures all the details and even illustrates it lavishly with photos that just didn't exist until now. Well done! Make that, extremely well done tribute to those who flew as Red Eagles and made this remarkable unit a reality and kept it going for so long. No serious library on air combat would be complete without it.



2. "Red Eagles" is an adequate first published account of US operated Soviet aircraft in the late cold-war era. If it turns out to be the only book written on this minor but innately interesting bit of aviation history, then it will have been "decent". It is a chronological, by-the-numbers history that meanders from episode to episode in the history of a series of inter-related programs and fills the space with a lot of chatty personal and organizational stuff, that, while perhaps worth "putting on the record" in some sense, is also dull while many much more interesting aspects of the story were basically ignored.
   
   Since the related units and personnel involved in operating Soviet aircraft (note to the author and others: they were "SOVIET" aircraft, not "Russian" aircraft - shouldn't a professional aviation writer know the difference and/or not write in blatantly incorrect colloquialisms?) changed often, there are no central characters to the story. Instead, it's the story of a series of a number of closely inter-related programs, and so over the course of the book, various pilots are introduced with half page travelogues of the various units they belonged to and the planes that they flew. To a man, essentially, we are told how such and such was a legend from whose backside the sun shone, and then a bit later this individual leaves the unit, never to be heard from again. I have no doubt whatsoever that these men were superb pilots and individuals of the highest caliber, but that the book focuses on them - and focuses on them in such a shallow and chatty way - is ultimately its undoing.
   
   The book's strengths:
   1. Interesting topic! Kudos to Steve for tackling the largely unreported.
   2 Vignettes of pilots. The first few were interesting to read.
   3. Providing a chronological/organizational history and a good sense of how they operated in a grey/black sense regarding things like financing.
   4. Some good technically-oriented flying stories as reported by the pilots.
   
   The book's weaknesses:
   1. No interviews were conducted with ex-Soviet and current Russian, Ukrainian, etc Air Force pilots to verify or say something more intelligent about the aircraft and their characteristics to balance and frame the Aggressor pilots' observations. As such, the description of the aircraft have the depth and feel of the proverbial blind men describing an elephant. I'm not saying that this book should have been, for example, "about" the MiG-17. However, by having virtually everything written "from the inside", it loses a lot of analytical and objective possibility.
   2. Too many vignettes of pilots (what a reviewer on amazon.co.uk calls "name dropping") that are included in lieu of potentially more interesting stuff as above. It gets really old and annoying after a while, and one gets the sense that our author is laying the groundwork for future free rides. Unfortunately, the readers suffer.
   3. Essentially zero discussion of interesting technical questions relating to maintaining foreign-aircraft. Even the brief discussion of engine overhaul is done by a pilot, who would have but the vaguest notion of its specifics. How, exactly, do you overhaul a foreign aircraft engine and fabricate replacement parts of alloys not necessarily easily available in your country?
   4. Essentially zero analysis from people with a more over-arcing and external view of the program. Just like a doctor isn't necessarily an expert on the economics of health care, the pilots and local commanders profiled for the book don't provide much objective insight into the program. Sure, these guys flew fast, had wild adventures, and suffered a few tragic mishaps. And sure, there are plenty of stories of pilots who went in with their F16s, got their butts kicked by a humble fresco or whatever, and then triumphed the next day, the lessons learned. But what did this mean more broadly? The authors' claim of direct link from the programs to success over the gulf of Sidra is a bit unconvincing.
   5. Sloppy writing. I'm not a rivet counter. However, there's only so many times you can see a turbojet referred to as a "motor." Similar mistakes abound.
   
   Additionally, while not a direct weakness, the book would have benefitted a bit from explanatory diagrams a la shaw's "Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering." But, it's clear that Davies has no real technical background (his background is in IT recruitment, which explains the emphasis on organization and recruitment) and that he's kind of "faking it" the whole way, relying on direct quotations and couched, vague technical analysis.
   
   But, despite my criticisms, as I said, it's a decent book.



3. For ten years the United States Air Force operated its own squadron of MiG fighters...and no one knew! The history of that unit - the 4477th Test and Evaluation Squadron - is chronicled in this 2008 release from Osprey Publishing.
   
   Some two dozen other reviewers have already weighed in on Steve Davies' book and I second many of their comments. The 4477th TES/"Constant Peg" Program was a vital element in the USAF producing fighter crews that could survive - and flourish - in modern combat. The acquisition of the MiGs used in the program, the exploratory flights flown, the tactics evolved by 4477th crews, the personalities and politics involved in Constant Peg, the mishaps, etc. make for engrossing reading. I thought RED EAGLES was a great read.
   
   Personally I think Davies deserves a "Sierra Hotel!" for the information he uncovered in his research. Years ago I plowed similar ground regarding Constant Peg's predecessors (Have Drill/Have Doughnut) which is why I'm so impressed by all the info Davies unearthed. At that time (late 1980s/1990s), Have Drill/Doughnut was still pretty hush-hush and some pilots like Tom Cassidy won't talk. Fortunately, Tooter Teague, Mugs and a few others opened up enough so I could include a chapter on Drill/Doughnut in my MIG KILLERS OF YANKEE STATION book. Perhaps Davies could have included even more on "what effect did it all have" but in terms of who-did-what-when, I think he did a first-rate job.
   
   Short and sweet: Fascinating history, fine book. Highly recommended.



4. This book is a fascinating historical documentary of the use of captured Mig-17, Mig-21 and Mig-23 fighters by the US Air Force. These Migs were used to determine their capabilities and to train US pilots to combat them. The book goes into extraordinary detail on the pilots, the planes, the assignments and the tragedies. Every pilot involved with this effort was detailed. It is almost like being there as there is a tremendous amount of first person narrative.
   
   I liked the book because I recall the time when there was so much suspicion about black (secret) Air Force programs and the speculation on what was going on. This book totally reveals the details on one aspect of those times.



5. Steve's book is an excellent read. Granted, there may be some aviation "nuts" who do not like the presentation. However, Steve collected a tremendous amount of information that should satisfy anyone's thirst for knowledge about the program. For those of us who were FWS instructors in the 70s, who flew against the Migs, and who developed air-combat tactics, the book brought back fond memories of one heck-of-a cool time and of some really, really great fighter pilots.

5 comments about SR-71 Revealed: The Inside Story.

1. While I recognize that the author has an unparalleled authority to write about the SR-71 he is a total amateur when it comes to writing a book.
   
   The content is fascinating. The stories are amazing... I just wish he had collaborated with authors like Dennis Jenkins or Tony Landis.
   
   Still. If you are an SR-71 buff then this is an invaluable insight into it's world.
   
   P.S. I am a complete XB-70 nut... This book just made me realize how special the XB-70 was... You could fly at Mach 3+ in your shirtsleeves and not have to stop every five minutes to fill up with gas!



2. This author had an agenda, and he doesn't hide it. It seems he wrote the whole book just to fill for the later chapters where he puts forward his agenda and whines on how the program was unfairly terminated and how they didn't deserve to have their little toy taken from them.
   
   The book has virtually nothing in terms of technical or developmental aspects on the plane and fills an entire chapter with detail such as how to operate the engine's doors which is quite irrelevant since that's pretty much the ONLY technical aspect we get to see in the book. NOTHING on how the plane flew, how it was designed or its history. Pretty short on anecdotes too.
   
   Overall left a lot to be desired, and quite boring to read.



3. In life, if you need information, or want to know honest and real information on something, then ask an expert. And few can talk about the SR-71 with the credentials of Rich Graham! Not only was Rich an operational pilot of the Blackbird, he was an SR-71 Instructor, Squadron Commander, Director of the Program at the Pentagon, and Wing Commander.
   
   So few know what he does. His stories are very readable, he manages to mix facts with humour and technical information. Plus he has gathered some trusted friends to tell real life stories of the aircraft, the crews, and the way it operated.
   
   If you are a fan of the SR-71 like me, and want to know more, then this is one of the books YOU MUST OWN.



4. Surrounded by an aura of mystery, and yet to be know capabilities,the Blackbird stands as a warbird of almost mithological stature, but there was something missing in the equation, who drives it into the unkown of enemy territory and brings it back loaded with valuable date for our decission makers?? This excelent book will surely fill that void.



5. This was a well written and exciting book to read if you enjoy aircraft. He not only explains the technical aspects of the aircraft but takes along for the ride as he describes a SR mission from suiting up to hitting the BOQ afterwards. I'd recommend this book to anyone who enjoys flying and military aircraft and I have just bought another one of the author's books on the Habu. Thanks Richard.
   Written by my husband.

5 comments about Fighter Combat: Tactics and Maneuvering (New Edition).

1. Haven't had a chance to read it yet,but it looks like an exhaustive study of the subject.



2. Great info on velocity vector management, potential energy awareness, etc. Not one hundred percent current on ACM, but a good staple read.



3. This book is only for the person wanting to learn ACM air combat maneuvering. I would only recommend this book to an actual pilot or someone deeply into simulation gaming. I absolutely love the book though. When you do read it, you have to give it 100% of your attention and must have some previous knowledge to ACM to completely understand what Robert is talking about.



4. Very good book to understand everything about dogfights. A must if you are looking for better SA in combat flight simulators.



5. If you don't have this one book, your library is missing the overall, best book on combat aviation printed to date. A reference book I have used over and over again and will continue to use. The Bible of aerial combat tactics and maneuvering!

3 comments about Convair Deltas: From Sea Dart to Hustler.

1. Bill Yenne's new book, Convair Deltas, is a detailed but very readable look at F-102s, F-106s and B-58s. In addition to an interesting and informative writeup on the airplanes, Yenne includes a listing of every unit each type was assigned to. Best of all, however, is the terrific selection of photos. Many are full page and in color, from Convair and Air Force photographers. All of them are new to me.
   
   This is the kind of book that other airplane books would like to be: lots of interesting information without being so dense that the reader's eyes glaze over in a few pages, filled with great photos.



2. Delta-winged aircraft are largely just an interesting footnote in the annals of aviation history. As with so many other technological achievements, the Germans did it first in World War II with the far-out, unflown designs of Alexander Lippisch. After the War, Britain's AVRO "Vulcan" long-range bomber was perhaps the most distinctive delta-winged aircraft ever. The "Vulcan" was in service for many years in the Royal Air Force (RAF), and saw combat in the British-Argentine conflict over the Falkland Islands (or the Malvinas, depending on which side you were on). In the non-military arena, the Anglo-French Mach 2 "Concorde" airliner carried well-heeled jet-set passengers with speed, exclusivity and luxury until a fatal crash in 2000 in Paris permanently grounded the fleet. The United States has developed more delta-winged aircraft than any other nation, and one American company has built most of them---the Convair Division of the General Dynamics Corporation.
   
   "Convair Deltas: From Sea Dart to Hustler" is an outstanding history of Convair's delta-winged aircraft. If you're familiar with the Specialty Press line of aviation and spaceflight books, you'll know what to expect. This volume does not disappoint. Renowned historian and military/aviation author Bill Yenne starts out with a 10-page history of Convair in its many corporate incarnations. He then jumps right into the full design and development stories of the fascinating delta-winged aircraft that the company produced over a span of nearly 25 years. They're all here: the XF-92A, the F-102 "Delta Dagger," the XFY-1 "Pogo" VTOL fighter, the F2Y-1 "Sea Dart" jet seaplane, the F-106 "Delta Dart" and the incredible B-58 "Hustler" supersonic bomber. Mr. Yenne gives comprehensive, detailed technical descriptions of each aircraft, describes their development and flight-test programs and then covers the operational histories of those that went into production. He includes hundreds of well-chosen black-and-white and color photographs (many of them rare images from his personal collection) and a few drawings of, for example, actual and proposed aircraft configurations, cockpit layouts, etc.
   
   There's not much more to say about "Convair Deltas: From Sea Dart to Hustler" other than to recommend it highly for every aviation enthusiast. It covers a specialized topic, to be sure, but an exceptionally interesting and important one. Mr. Yenne does a superb job of telling the tale of the groundbreaking aircraft that proved out an aerodynamic concept perhaps most famously embodied in today's Space Shuttle Orbiter. Their aerodynamic and structural advantages mean that delta wings will probably always be around, and here's the full story of their early, formative years in development, flight test and operations. This is very good stuff.



3. THE BOOK IS FULL OF BLACK & WHITE AND COLOR PICTURES.
   THE TEXT IS WELL WRITTEN AND TELLS THE STORY OF EACH AIRCRFT PROTOTYPE OR PRODUCTION.
   THE LACK OF DIAGRAMS AND COLOR PROFILES IS NOT A DISADVANTAGE AS THIS BOOK REFERS TO THE MODELLER AND TO THE AIRCRAFT ENTHUSIAST.
   IT WAS THE FIRST TIME I READ CONTINUISLY A BOOK IN JUST 3 DAYS.
   YOU WILL LOVE IT

2 comments about Cold War Peacemaker: The Story of Cowtown and the Convair B-36.

1. What, another book about the B-36? It's not exactly aviation's best-known subject--not like the North American P-51 Mustang or the Lockheed P-38 Lightning, for example--but Convair's huge intercontinental-range strategic bomber has gotten its fair share of press in the last decade or so. There's Meyers K. Jacobsen's superb 400-page magnum opus "Convair B-36: A Comprehensive History of Americas Big Stick" (1997), Dennis R. Jenkins' short but useful "Convair B-36 Peacemaker" (1999) (Volume 14 in the Specialty Press Warbird Tech Series) and his outstanding, heavily illustrated "Magnesium Overcast" (2001), among others. Now comes "Cold War Peacemaker." Do aviation enthusiasts really need another book about the big rumbling aerial behemoth?
   
   If you don't have any or all of the other books mentioned, it's a no-brainer decision. Pick up a copy of "Cold War Peacemaker" immediately. It's a fascinating, detailed history that covers virtually every aspect of the bomber's design, development, flight test, production, deployment, variants, upgrades, operations--literally everything you'd want to know about the thundering Peacemaker. Its superbly illustrated with hundreds of sharp black-and-white photos and line drawings, plus a 19-page color section. As a bonus, the 30-page Chapter 1 relates the history of Fort Worth and describes the rise of the aviation industry in "Cowtown," a subject on which the other books are silent. Here's the complete Table of Contents:
   
   Chapter 1--Cowboys to Cockpits: Aviation Comes to Fort Worth (Page 16)
   Chapter 2--Consolidated B-36: A True Intercontinental Bomber (46)
   Chapter 3--The Bleeding Edge: 1940s High Technology (108)
   Chapter 4--Conflict Unfinished: A Chilly Peace and a Cold War (128)
   
   But then there are some great Appendices:
   
   Appendix A--The First Wide-Body: The San Diego Built XC-99 (176)
   Appendix B--Unworthy Competitor: The All-Jet YB-60 (184)
   Appendix C--Dream Unrealized: Atomic-Powered Aircraft (192)
   Appendix D--Completely Different: Track Landing Gear (200)
   Appendix E--Stillborn Concept: Pratt & Whitney VDT Engines (208)
   Appendix F--Ahead of Its Time: Bell GAM-63 Rascal (212)
   Appendix G--Bizarre Concept: Parasites and Other Coupling Ideas (220)
   
   The authoritative narrative and crisp photos (with detailed captions) in these sections are sure to make any airplane geek salivate. Plus there are nine pages of detailed endnotes that cite sources and expand on the main text.
   
   Okay, so you should definitely buy "Cold War Peacemaker" if it's to be your only B-36 book. But what if, like me, you already have the other books mentioned, or even more? Should you add this one to your collection? Well, I'm such a fan of the B-36 that I simply had to have this volume in my aviation library, and I never regretted buying it. I suspect most other aviation buffs will feel the same. Even if you already own some B-36 books, there's no reason not to buy "Cold War Peacemaker." Although much of the story and many of the photos have appeared elsewhere, there's enough new material in it to make it a must-have. Its great stuff, and I recommend it highly.



2. The "Cold War Peacemaker: the Story of Cowtown and Convair B-36" is about an amazing longrange bomber that bridged the gap between the propeller and jet ages during the early years of the Cold War. Huge and somewhat awkward looking, the aircraft ultimately employed both pusher props and jet engines. This plane was an intimidator and when it flew overhead its strange sound vibrations rattled china in more than a few cabinets. It sent a strong message to the Soviet Union intended to prevent nuclear war. The B-36 in its variations was a remarkable aircraft technologically. And even amidst all of the contemporary advances in the aerospace industry, the innovative solutions to engineering challenges that came to fruition in the B-36 are still impressive. Authors Don Pyeatt and Dennis Jenkins have succeeded in publishing a comprehensive history of the B-36 that deserves acclaim. Whether you are a casual aviation enthusiast or a seasoned historian, this book is worth the purchase price. Packed with amazing photos, diagrams, and myriad details in its appendices and endnotes, the monograph is history at its best.
   
   It is suggested that readers also watch the movie, "Strategic Air Command," starring the B-36 and Jimmy Stewart. Produced for the general public to promote the USAF and airpower during the Cold War, it is really quite good. Best of all, you'll hear and see the B-36 in all its glory.

No comments about Lockheed Blackbird Family: A-12, YF-12, D-21/M-21 & SR-71 Photo Scrapbook.