A Personal Memoir of My Years at Lockheed - Skunk Works

Not flawless, but a fantastic read.
If you love amazing airplanes, engineering generally, or if you work with Agile and Scrum in the software world, this book is a great perspective.
They were building airplanes with Scrum before anyone thought to give the methodology a name.

What determined, bright, dedicated men can do if left alone in the capable hands of a Ben Rich and Kelly Johnson and how a bloated military and short sighted government can screw it up makes you wonder how long this country can last.

This is an excellent, readable account of the secret products of the Lockheed aircraft company during the post-WW2 era. The development of the U-2, SR-71 and F-117 is detailed. Especially interesting is the account of the development of stealth technology. The book reads like a Tom Clancy novel, but is better because it is real. Anyone who is "into" aircraft or technology will enjoy this book. The portrait of Clarence "Kelly" Johnson is outstanding! Read it.

Great writing & between Kelly & himself their imagination,engineering & management skills saved the Country untold millions of dollars & gave the Us the U2,SR71 blackbirds, Steath Technologies . Most that he devuluges in his book was ultra secret . Men Who Shaped America!!!!

I finished reading the book on Lockheed™s Skunk Works. I found it thoroughly enjoyable, absolutely absorbing and informative. I came to know challenge it was to design and test the plane and how the hurdles were overcome.
Thank you so much for making it available on the store.

Very happy I read this book. Great inside info on the U2, SR71 and F177A stealth planes and how they were developed, funded and used. After listening to Ben Rich's comments I wish we had more organizations use these small independent research divisions in their arsenal. Let's hope they continue to provide the technological edge we may need in the future. A good read and well worth the money.

A reminder of one of the things America excels in: technological prowess. Skunk Works was at the vanguard of tech advances in the aviation sector, for decades. Such innovativeness couldn't have been as effective within strict corporate confines. The stories are well written without the need for embellishments. Even the last chapter, by itself, is worth the price of admission, as it articulates how government purchasing of armnaments can be improved, while also saving taxpayer dollars.

I read this, kind of required, when I started working for Lockheed. It was a pleasant read, not too technical. I bought a copy for my husband, the Aero/Mechanical Engineer and he loved it! I got tired of the bedtime conversations about what he had read. A must for those in the aerospace world.

Because the copy right was before area 51 was acknowledged by US military, area 51 is referenced as "paradise city". The author let's some of his political beliefs come out towards the end, i.e. alittle hard on Prez Reagan for pushing scram jet plans down there throats, which is ironic because there's current testing in that technology now. If your any of these four , I guarantee this is a really awesome book to dive into... history/aerospace/manufacturer/military buffs.

Essential reading for everyone interested in innovation "skunkworks," the original Lockheed SkunkWorks and the now many, many offshoots and imitators. Well done as a biography and a critical oversight.

If you love or at least like the aeroplanes Kelly Johnson and the Skunk Works put out (U-2; Blackbird, Starfighter etc.), you'll love this autobiography of Kelly's right-hand-man Ben Rich (who put F-117 Nighthawk to sky). Just sayin'.

A profound and educational read. Learned a lot about spying and stealth. Also, how alliances change quite frequently. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes science, technology, history, and especially airplanes.

This is such an enjoyable and inspirational book that I now give a copy to all new employees of my small business (an engineering company). Will be most enjoyed by aviation fans but has some great insights into business, managing innovative projects, and human nature.

This is such an enjoyable and inspirational book that I now give a copy to all new employees of my small business (an engineering company). Will be most enjoyed by aviation fans but has some great insights into business, managing innovative projects, and human nature.

The book "Skunk Works" arrived on schedule and LOOKS BRAND NEW! It made my husband very happy to learn more about other parts of the company he has worked for for the last 38 years! the store really has 'The Right Stuff' when it comes to quality books, and they are our 'go to' shop when looking for books.

This is simply the best and most informative book on the development and manufacture and testing of these amazing aircraft from the U2 and Blackbird to the Stealth Fighter F117. It pays homage to the fortitude and determination of a breed of men who would follow their vision through despite official ineptitude and conservatism. Many leading political figures do not come out well. The late Ben Rich and his team are a lost breed now but we owe them a great debt of gratitude. I will keep going back to this book for years to come.

I was pleasantly surprised by how interesting this book was! Not only did it enlighten me about the stealth technology it also entertained me. Rich seems humble but also very accomplished. It was interesting to learn how the government USED to work more efficiently behind closed doors.

Very approachable read that gives some great insight into working for a company that pushed the boundaries of aerospace design and illustrates what kind be accomplished with enough political will and science behind it. Amazing to think how far ahead of the technology curve this company operates.

Interesting and riveting in its own way. Skunk Works is an easy to read and informative book, recommended to all who enjoy learning about some of the most revolutionary aircraft in US and world history through the eyes of a charismatic and passionate Ben Rich.

As a former Skunk Works engineer I was interested in seeing if the book accurately portrayed the atmosphere of the organization. It does. Interesting stories, a good summary of the philosophy that built the Skunk Works, and some sober advice sprinkled on at the end.
If you like planes, or if you are interested in innovative business practices this will definitely hold your attention.

Amazing what the Irish Loughead Bros. started. When I began reading about Lockheed, Wiley Post's "Winnie Mae" was new.
Been a fan of this outfit since watching the crash of the prototype P-38 when I was ten years old. Got buzzed by a P-80 when I was in the Army. A lot of fascinating panes have come out of the Skunk Works; What's next?

Mert

This is an excellent book for anyone that was ever interested in how America's greatest airplanes came to be created, and a small glimpse into their inspiring place of birth, a little division called skunk works.

The things the team created during the 60s, 70s, and 80s were near the impossible and unimaginable. Truly talented and driven folks. The authors enthusiasm is contagious. I'm proud having heard of these accolades during the Cold War.