Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of WarJohn 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 . . . |
Contents
High Priest | |
Pope John Goes Severely Supersonic | |
Ride of the Valkyries | |
The Fighter Mafia Does the Lords Work | |
A ShortLegged Bird | |
Spook Base | |
Take a Look at the | |
This Briefing is for Information Purposes Only | |
The Buttonhook Turn | |
SCHOLAR | |
RatRacing | |
FortySecond Boyd and the Tactics Manual | |
ENGINEER | |
Thermo Entropy and the Breakthrough Chapter 10 | |
The Sugarplum Fairy Spreads the Gospel | |
Pull the Wings off and Paint It Yellow | |
Ive Never Designed a Fighter Plane Before | |
BiggerHigherFasterFarther | |
Saving the F15 | |
Destruction and Creation | |
OODA Loop | |
Reform | |
Boyd Joins the Marines | |
WaterWalker | |
They Think Im a Kook | |
El Cid Rides | |
Sources | |
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Common terms and phrases
Air Force aircraft airplane America Army asked assignment attack base battle became become began beginning believed better Boyd Boyd’s briefing Building Burton called career Catton Christie civilian colonel combat commander defense developed Eglin enemy energy engineering Erie fighter pilot fire flight flying friends hand happened heard ideas John knew known later Leopold lieutenant lightweight fighter lived looked major maneuver maneuver warfare Marine Corps Mary military months moved Navy needed Nellis never night numbers observed officer once ordered Pentagon performance person promoted received Reformers returned secretary showed Spinney Sprey story tactics talked tell theory thing thought told took turned walked wanted warfare weapons weeks wing Wyly young
Bibliographic information
| Title | Boyd: The Fighter Pilot Who Changed the Art of War |
| Author | Robert Coram |
| Publisher | Hachette+ORM, 2002 |
| ISBN | 0759527776, 9780759527775 |
| Length | 504 pages |
| Subjects | › › › Biography & Autobiography / Military History / Military / Aviation & Space History / Wars & Conflicts / World War II / General |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |