Customer Reviews

Cold War Peacemaker: The Story of Cowtown and the Convair B-36

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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.

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.

Having owned two previous books by Dennis Jenkins I was anxious to dive into this account of Convair's magnificent bomber, the B-36. Don Pyeatt's contribution was a big draw for me as the subtitle addresses his Fort Worth, Texas roots. Both authors have presented an accurate story of this fabled aircraft and I am glad I have added it to my B-36 collection. The authors shattered some myths about this aircraft to set the record straight. The addition of a few unpublished images throughout the book was a treat, but I soon discovered many of the photos have been published previously. So I quickly realized that the new information within this book was probably meant to be included in, "Magnesium Overcast," another first class book by Jenkins, but simply found no room to do so. Much of "Cold War Peacemaker" contents is edited or lifted from this book. That is not a criticism. I must admit, though, I read through the Cowtown history rather rapidly (Evelyn Wood style) as it slowly lost my attention and seemed to wander from the B-36's heritage. Still, the book can be a great companion to "Magnesium Overcast" or stand on its one for the first time B-36 enthusiast. But maybe this book should have been called, "Magnesium Overview."

I'm an old SAC type who lived with B-36's on Ramey AFB, Puerto Rico in the early 50's. An impressive airplane! Pyeatt and Jenkins have told a beautifully illustrated story of this majestic lady, her birth, life and death.

I particularly appreciated the detail given to the times in which she reigned and her family derivatives. It helps explain why she was so important.

A reader can gain a great appreciation by just leafing through the book and enjoying the photos, but that would be like trying to appreciate the Smithsonian by dashing through in a marathon. Plan on spending many hours savoring this record of a triumph of technology, engineering, political wrangling and sheer determination by her admiring defenders.

Book arrived in excellent condition and ahead of time. Great service. Would highly recommend the seller.