Skunk Works: A Personal Memoir of My Years at Lockheed: Ben R. Rich: 9780316743006: Amazon.com: Books

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Skunk Works: A Personal Memoir of My Years at Lockheed Paperback – Illustrated, February 1, 1996

by Ben R. Rich (Author)

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This classic history of America's high-stakes quest to dominate the skies is "a gripping technothriller in which the technology is real" (New York Times Book Review).

From the development of the U-2 to the Stealth fighter, Skunk Works is the true story of America's most secret and successful aerospace operation. As recounted by Ben Rich, the operation's brilliant boss for nearly two decades, the chronicle of Lockheed's legendary Skunk Works is a drama of Cold War confrontations and Gulf War air combat, of extraordinary feats of engineering and human achievement against fantastic odds.

Here are up-close portraits of the maverick band of scientists and engineers who made the Skunk Works so renowned. Filled with telling personal anecdotes and high adventure, with narratives from the CIA and from Air Force pilots who flew the many classified, risky missions, this book is a riveting portrait of the most spectacular aviation triumphs of the twentieth century.

"Thoroughly engrossing." --Los Angeles Times Book Review

Print length

372 pages
Language

English
Publisher

Back Bay Books
Publication date

February 1, 1996
Dimensions

5.58 x 1.08 x 8.3 inches
ISBN-10

9780316743006
ISBN-13

978-0316743006
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Customer reviews

5 star		84%
4 star		12%
3 star		2%
2 star		1%
1 star		1%

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waltinusa@yahoo.com

A detailed exciting true story of how revolutionary aeronautical technology was created

Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2022

Verified Purchase

This is the detailed exciting story of how revolutionary aeronautical technology was created and changed aeronautical warfare.

It is also a handbook on how high energy strong-willed, technology visionaries like like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk and Lockheed's Kelly Johnson function as managers. The technology evolution is extraordinary and the lessons about managing in a futuristic high tech environment are outstanding.

Chapter 16 on conclusions, is a detailed very specific list of procurement process changes that are necessary If great technology is going to be able to continue to override the political self-interest of individuals in the procurement process.

On page 308 the equation describing the Harvard (HBS) summer certificate programs for technology companies says (2/3 of HBS=BS). But as we know, with two variables, two equations are necessary. The second equation in my personal opinion, having been in the courses, should be (1/3 of HBS=Ag), students must sort the BS from the Ag for themselves.

Great book, much better than expected!

Reviewed in the United States on September 14, 2022

Verified Purchase

This book was extremely well written. I have a general interest in aerospace stuff, but I wasn't expecting the different perspectives added in, by pilots, by politicians. I didn't expect the operational use examples of U-2s, SR-71s (or that it was RS-71 until the president said it wrong, so they had to change it). Fascinating, historical, gives one a sense of pride and danger at the risks those pilots took and take today. The end is clearly biased against the author's view of how procurement (and sustainment) should work, but it's a fair and supported perspective. Excellent book that I looked forward to getting back to and finished quickly.

Fascinating history

Reviewed in the United States on September 21, 2022

Verified Purchase

If you are interested in the back-story of how some of the most amazing aircraft were developed, this is the book for you. The fact that it’s written by the guy who was there validates the accuracy of the book

Outstanding look inside the group who changed aerial warfare forever

Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2022

Verified Purchase

Informative, entertaining, and interesting all around. Ben Rich gives the lowdown behind the most groundbreaking aircraft of the 20th century.

An excellent history for aviation buffs!

Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2022

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An interesting history of one of our nation's most technologically advanced aerospace teams. From WWII to the present day, the Lockheed Skunk Works has been at the forefront of aviation design.

Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2022

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If you are interested in aviation tech you MUST have this book!

Well worth the money!

Reviewed in the United States on August 23, 2022

Verified Purchase

Good book with background on the Skunk Works, how it functioned with the government and about Kelly Johnson. I enjoyed it-would have liked a little more technical depth, but that's just me. Better than Kelly's book.

One person found this helpful

Reviewed in the United States on July 28, 2022

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Pure intrigue from start to finish.

Top reviews from other countries

Blacknest

Fascinating book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 12, 2021

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I didn't think I'd be very interested in this sort of book, but it was strongly recommended by a friend. It was an absolutely fascinating story - I can't believe what those pilots and engineers did, so long ago - and a testament to the brilliance of the program is that the U2s are still flying.
I have to comment on the way the book is structured - the events aren't presented in chronological order, but in a confusing series of hops back and forth in time. I'm reasonably certain that this wasn't the author's original intention - I suspect it was the publishers' attempt to jazz up what they thought might be a book of limited interest by pushing some exciting bits of narrative to the front. A shame, really.

One person found this helpful

Triksiklist

Fascinating behind the scenes look at the world's most secret aircraft manufacturer.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 16, 2021

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I've long had a fascination with the Skunk Works, producers of the U2, and of course the legendary SR71 Mach 3+ spy plane. This is an account of the some times difficult struggle to overcome the prejudices and negativity of the beaurocrats especially when the skunk works wished to build the revolutionary stealth fighter, the F117. Fas

One person found this helpful

N. Tubby

Great history on how things can get done

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 13, 2021

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A great read and a journey back in time to when life was simpler, there was less red tape and if you surrounded yourself with excellence, you could achieve the unimaginable in a very short space of time. (Caveating this heavily as the boss wrote the book and I’m quite sure the line workers pulled very long hours for little reward).

Purple

Book that's now 28 years old and STILL An AMAZING READ

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 2, 2022

Verified Purchase

Bought this as a sunbed holiday read, amazing read of what can be accumplished when project management and Buracracy are pushed to one side. Insight into the 1960s and 70s at skunk works and the thinking and technology that we still amaze at some 50-60 years later.

MR R A EMERY

Interesting to hear how these projects came about!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 9, 2021

Verified Purchase

On page 51 and I’m hooked. I’m not a reader and never have as I never find things that interest me enough. This has survived so far and is very interesting. Amazing to read about how these projects came about back in the day and how they run and hide them from public

One person found this helpful

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