Genesis: Frank Whittle and the Invention of the Jet Engine (Paperback)

~ John Golley (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In April, 1937, Englishman Frank Whittle became the first person to successfully start and run a turbojet engine. The enthusiasm of the American General "Hap" Arnold took the next stage of development to the U.S.A. Within six months Whittle's invention was powering more American jets than British.

This is the story of a genius throttled by British government bureaucracy and gagged for decades by the secrecy. The story is now told in full. Its revelations provide a fascinating insight into the attitudes of the wartime government and military establishment, attitudes that led to one of the greatest inventions of all time being offered freely to those who were to become Britain's main aircraft manufacturing competitors.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: The Crowood Press (August 15, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 185310860X
• ISBN-13: 978-1853108600
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 7.9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #911,171 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Young Jet Genius, November 10, 2001

By	Hubert N. Greenwood (Aurora, Colorado United States) - See all my reviews

Perhaps a little too detailed for casual readers, the story of Frank Whittle's struggle to develop the jet engine. From his early days at Cranwell, through his battles with government and corporations, through his final success. A great addition for the aviation historian.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars From innovation to product, June 8, 2007

By	Slorba (Helsinki, Finland, EU) - See all my reviews

Although this book is mostly for aviation aficionados it gives it's own insight to the issue of making innovation into a product.

I liked the way book took it's reader into the battle of innovator proving his inventions merits to an industry for which the very invention was a disruption of long lines of established products. Franks obstacles can be common for many other developers/engineers that want to make a product that changes the world.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Depressing story of beaurocracy at its worst..., December 16, 2002

By A Customer

I found the book interesting however if you're hoping for a good explanation of the JET engine, the developments and aircraft, this book is NOT for you. Not enough meat, diagrams or pictures. See instead other works like Klaus Hunecke's excellent book "Jet Engines".

If you're an avid historian and want to know how a visionary RAF officer/engineer worked himself to near death for little reward or advancement within a government system that tried hard to stymie him at every step, this is indeed a moving,fascinating and somewhat depressing book... they even gave his engines away to the Russians and Americans.