Skunk Works: A Personal Memoir of My Years at Lockheed

Customer Rating:
Summary: American Ingenuity... alive and well! RIP Ben Rich
Comment: Living near the Nest of Stealths, I had a great interest in who created this plane. Many books came out about the planes, and uses in the Gulf War and Panama... but none on the engineers and managers...until Mr. Rich decided to write a book. While the entire book is not dedicated entirely to the F-117, it was interesting enough to pick up and read. There were many areas I had never considered stealth technology would be useful - heck, a stealth ship (the Sea Shadow)?? Whodathunk?

Mr. Rich was the protege of an amazing engineer (Kelly Johnson), and an outstanding one in his own right. His amazing story, and those of the projects he built, are intertwined inside the fabric of national defense. Wanna know where Lockheed Skunk Works got the idea for stealth? Read the book.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Great book on a legendary company
Comment: This book is based as an (auto)biography of Ben Rich the boss of the legendary Lockheed "Skunkworks". It is a lot more than that however with an overview of secret 'black-ops' of the cold war period. The development of the U2 and SR-71 as well as an in depth introduction to the F117 Stealth fighter make this a must have book for the technophile. But it is more than that, there are great snippets from 'other voices' such as engineers, pilots and even the military have their say about the Skunk works and in particular its enigmatic founder Clarence "Kelly" Johnson.

This book does not have a lot of personal details about Ben Rich but concentrates on the three main aircraft that the Skunk works are famous for and allows an insight to military-private sector relationships that is hard to find in other books.

My only criticism is the end chapter on how to make things better for the industry which seems a little 'tacked on' to try and give the book a point and this could have been done throughout the previous chapters in a better constructed manner.

Apart from that it is a good book and due to the co-authorship of Leo Janos (who co-wrote the Chuck Yaeger autobiography) it is very readable and an interesting addition to military history of the cold war.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Of its time
Comment: This book is very much of its time, and has to be regarded as such. I was forced to read this for work by an over zealous client. I gritted my teeth to the end. Yes, on one level it is fascinating as a piece of history. Even I quite enjoyed the history of the U2 and Blackbird, which I vaguely remember from newspapers in my youth. But as a chronicle of social mores, it made my toes curl. Unfortunately, as a female of mid years clinging to the corporate ladder, I still remember when the kind of casual misogeny portrayed here was the norm not the exception. Can't say I miss 'the good 'ol days' one bit. The interchangeable wives and sophomoric giggling over the pin ups?

It isn't even very well written.

I have to read 'Patton on Leadership' next. Time to look for a new job maybe?

Customer Rating:
Summary: Facinating!
Comment: If you like information on this subject (jets, stealth, SR71)then this book is for you. I couldn't put this book down because I was facinated by the content, engrossed by the narrative, and just totally sucked in. Formerly Top Secret projects and happenings are revealed in such a entertaining and non technical way, that anyone can understand and enjoy this entire book. Also, this book has great insights into innovation and business management. I really think this is the best book I've ever read, and I'm buying a copy for my boss.

Customer Rating:
Summary: Heroism, Best Found in Real Life!
Comment: Why can't Hollywood make a movie out of this? Wait, I take it back. They'd probably turn the Rich and Kelly relationship into an affair, and throw in some cliche ridiculousness about how white, rich guys are evil.

That being said, WHAT A GREAT BOOK! This is wonderful tale of how a group of men with wonderful leadership did what it took to be the best while ignoring all the bureaucratic roadblocks. They really show what it takes to be on the cutting edge. On time, below budget, and meeting specifications. Some do their best to imitate the Skunk Works model, but few understand the philosophy of this men: rational egoism.