Beyond The Wild Blue: A History Of The U.S. Air Force, 1947-1997

by Walter J. Boyne

From the most important leaders and the most courageous victories to the earliest machines of flight and the most advanced Stealth technology, Walter J. Boyne's Beyond the Wild Blue presents a fascinating look at 50 turbulent years of Air Force history.

From the prop-driven armada of World War II to the most advanced Stealth weaponry, from pioneers like General Henry "Hap" Arnold to glorious conquests in the Gulf War, B eyond the Wild Blue is a high-flying study of the triumphs (and failures) of leadership and technology.

In three new chapters, Walter Boyne covers an eventful ten years, including 9/11, the invasion of Afghanistan, and the second Gulf War, describing in detail the technological advancements that led to highly efficient airstrikes in Iraq. He also takes stock of the Air Force's doctrine and mission statements as this unique sector of the military grapples with an ever-changing world.

Genres: History, Military Fiction, Nonfiction, Aviation, Military History, War, American History

464 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1997

Reviews

[Jonathon Moore]

Used as reference to write a book report.

[Dwight Koslowski]

This reads more like a Doctoral Dissertation. It abounds with acronyms and buzzwords, but fails to give much time for USAF operations. It is rich in terms like "Total Quality Management", but does not even acknowledge things like the fastest aircraft ever built, that led the world in intelligence gathering from the mid-60s until its retirement in early 1990. If the reader wants to know more about the Air University, Doctrine, etc. you will love this book. If you expect to read of the nuts and bolts of the Air Force, forget it.

[Jim]

There was too much history stuffed into too few pages; this needed to be a two-volume book.

[Jeremy Wood]

While it is well-written, reading this book is like watching C-SPAN. It is all politics and budgets and very, very boring.

[Dusty Juhl]

This book might be a good historical reference, but I found it nearly impossible to finish this book. I read it in its entirety, but it never held my interest. It was a real struggle to stay interested. I also found the writing style to be pretty poor.

[Beth/Chuck]

A little dry at times, but still good reading to see how the Air Force gained its covetted separte identity from the Army. Also tells how
Robert McNamara bungled their efforts in Vietnam.

[Robert]

It was a good book. A little dry in some areas.

[Dan]

Dry and frustratingly out of date, but informative.