posted 03-11-2010 02:55 AM               

In 1961, pilot Robert W. White flew a hypersonic rocket-powered airplane six times faster than the speed of sound and higher than 300,000 feet above the Earth’s surface. This is his story. Tracing his childhood on the rough streets of Manhattan during the Depression, his years as a pilot and POW during World War II, and his rise as an experimental test pilot in the Air Force, this autobiography is a testament to the role of persistence and excellence in the life of a man whose aeronautical feats are now legend. It is the portrait of an extraordinary man in pursuit of the American dream and a glimpse into a remarkable time in America’s aviation history.

About the Author
Robert M. White is a retired major general in the United States Air Force. After service in World War II, including time as a POW, he became one of the nation’s greatest test pilots. Jack L. Summers is a retired physician and university professor. He lives in Florida.

• McFarland, softcover 2010
  
• ca. 50 photos, index
  
• ISBN 978-0-7864-4989-7

posted 01-05-2011 09:11 PM               

Already I can pick up on White's very understated manner and his humble view of his own great accomplishments. Al H. gets mentioned on the first page of acknowledgements right in between some guy named Neil, C.E. "Bud" Anderson, and Fitz Fulton...quite an honor!

A few years before his passing, I received a reply from Gen. White through the mail in which he compared my pursuits in aviation to his own in between WW2 and going into test flying. He came across with a genuine interest in my goals and encouraged me to keep flying. A true gentleman. This book will no doubt allow me to appreciate his exemplary service to the country and to the advancement of aeronautics even more.

posted 01-25-2011 10:30 AM               

The only negative point is the bad/non-existing proofreading: so many typos, e. g. Forest Peterson, then Forrest Petersen, the large engine referred to as XLR-99 and then LR-99, terrible German spelling, way too many to mention. Sometimes these errors occur on the same page, within a few lines of each other, and I feel that Bob White deserves better!

posted 01-25-2011 03:33 PM               

quote:

---

Originally posted by Jurg Bolli:
I love the story and am grateful for the book.

---

Dr. Summers, who actually wrote the book, has published many before, but always in the medically related field. A tremendously nice guy, but not versed in aerospace in any manner.

As some have mentioned, Bob was terribly understated. While he LOVED to sit and talk aviation, and would talk for HOURS, it was always about someone or something else than him. There was only once in our long and close friendship where even a smidge of ego came out. And that was over (not) being inducted into the National Aviation Hall of Fame. And even that was kind of blown off but you could tell it hurt him if you knew him well.

While there is a lot of info out there on the program, and his flights, there is precious little from HIS viewpoint. He was most certainly proud of his accomplishments, but did not like to talk about them but could be if the right person prodded him.

Back to Dr. Summers, when he would prod Bob, he didn't understand half of what was told to him, or the importance of some things. So I would do some interviews and try to "translate" for Dr. Summers. Also, he would ask me questions about his interviews and conversations.

When the MS was completed, he sent it to me in book and WORD form, for editing (the aerospace parts). I did and can tell you those points you raise WERE corrected.

I suspect the problem was the Editor at McFarland was also not very versed. We selected McFarland because while other houses were interested, McFarland wanted to proceed the quickest.

The race was on to get this published sooner rather than later due to Bobs illness at the time. His family wanted nothing more, than to let him see the book before he passed.

My (our) Air and Space magazine article was printed prior to his passing and I did share it with him on our last visit. But we were all disappointed that it did not come out prior to his passing. Since it did not, he added the Epilogue of the ceremony at Arlington.

We have tempered our disappointments by the fact it is out. The last thing he ever wanted was a book about his life. He did not think he was deserving or, that anyone would want to buy it.

And he was sincere in that belief. It was like pulling teeth to get him to do it.

Sitting with this guy, and all of his accomplishments, and hearing him say that and truly believing it, was a sobering experience. Many need to learn from that.