Hardcover, 320 pages
English language
Published Dec. 4, 2002 by Little, Brown and Company.
John Boyd may be the most remarkable unsung hero in all of American military history. Some remember him as the greatest U.S. fighter pilot ever -- the man who, in simulated air-to-air combat, defeated every challenger in less than forty seconds. Some recall him as the father of our country's most legendary fighter aircraft -- the F-15 and F-16. Still others think of Boyd as the most influential military theorist since Sun Tzu. They know only half the story. Boyd, more than any other person, saved fighter aviation from the predations of the Strategic Air Command. His manual of fighter tactics changed the way every air force in the world flies and fights. He discovered a physical theory that forever altered the way fighter planes were designed. Later in life, he developed a theory of military strategy that has been adopted throughout the world and even applied to business models โฆ
John Boyd may be the most remarkable unsung hero in all of American military history. Some remember him as the greatest U.S. fighter pilot ever -- the man who, in simulated air-to-air combat, defeated every challenger in less than forty seconds. Some recall him as the father of our country's most legendary fighter aircraft -- the F-15 and F-16. Still others think of Boyd as the most influential military theorist since Sun Tzu. They know only half the story. Boyd, more than any other person, saved fighter aviation from the predations of the Strategic Air Command. His manual of fighter tactics changed the way every air force in the world flies and fights. He discovered a physical theory that forever altered the way fighter planes were designed. Later in life, he developed a theory of military strategy that has been adopted throughout the world and even applied to business models for maximizing efficiency. And in one of the most startling and unknown stories of modern military history, the Air Force fighter pilot taught the U.S. Marine Corps how to fight war on the ground. His ideas led to America's swift and decisive victory in the Gulf War and foretold the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. On a personal level, Boyd rarely met a general he couldn't offend. He was loud, abrasive, and profane. A man of daring, ferocious passion and intractable stubbornness, he was that most American of heroes -- a rebel who cared not for his reputation or fortune but for his country. He was a true patriot, a man who made a career of challenging the shortsighted and self-serving Pentagon bureaucracy. America owes Boyd and his disciples -- the six men known as the "Acolytes" -- a great debt. Robert Coram finally brings to light the remarkable story of a man who polarized all who knew him, but who left a legacy that will influence the military -- and all of America -- for decades to come. ..
This is a new favorite for me. So many life lessons in here. Coram does a great job of making it clear how Boyd's priorities and work ethic influenced everyone around him, especially his family. It's unforgivable even as it's obvious that he was a hero and one of the most influential thinkers of all time.
I quite liked it.
Yes, it is way too eloquent. Yes, it is a glorified story with lots of watery details with places you are getting lost in ("WTF is this about?" places).
But the details on theory, testing methods, cost analysis, telemetry (that's how you call these things today) - I would say its stripped-down version could be an interesting handover for a Product Manager / Owner.
The product planning & building methods used for the development for A10 are marvelous.
I liked the story on the testing of Bradleys prior to their launch (lies, lies, lies and one more lie to make the data look good. Basically those were metal cans sold as the panzer machine for the infantry by defense contractors. They were soooo afraid to test them with real bullets so they were ordering the staff to fake tests, alter the construction with water instead of โฆ
I quite liked it.
Yes, it is way too eloquent. Yes, it is a glorified story with lots of watery details with places you are getting lost in ("WTF is this about?" places).
But the details on theory, testing methods, cost analysis, telemetry (that's how you call these things today) - I would say its stripped-down version could be an interesting handover for a Product Manager / Owner.
The product planning & building methods used for the development for A10 are marvelous.
I liked the story on the testing of Bradleys prior to their launch (lies, lies, lies and one more lie to make the data look good. Basically those were metal cans sold as the panzer machine for the infantry by defense contractors. They were soooo afraid to test them with real bullets so they were ordering the staff to fake tests, alter the construction with water instead of fuel in the tank and report fabricated findings up the chain of command).
Some lines reminded me on a couple of projects I have tried to work on as a PO, some personas on people I have worked with - some good, some asking for a serious beating.
An interesting story with lots of curious moments I just wish there was less motivational bullshit (at times it reads like a recruitment brochures for youth in the US).
p.s. the beginning is slow-paced, I have tried it once - couldn't digest so I have made a second try 2 years later.
