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Rating: 
Summary: Finally
Review: For years I have been waiting for a decent book on this airplane. Several earlier books were less than ideal, but I was beginning to think that perhaps there was no other data available to authors, hence the constant rehash of the same things (to be fair, the Jeannette Remak book contains a lot of interesting programmatic information, but remarkably little the hardware). Because of that, I have been avoiding purchasing this book.Well, I finally saw a copy of it in a store so I picked it up. I was very surprised. The authors have found a great deal of data that is not in the other books, along with a great collection of photos, many of which are either new, or at least seldom seen. Considering the minimal price of the book ($16.95) it is a remarkable bargain with good printing on smooth, glossy paper. The only disappointment was that there are only 8 pages of color photos, but given that the airplane was essentially all-white, this is not a major problem. If you want a good book on the B-70, but this one and skip the others.
Rating:
Summary: Finally
Review: I have always been a fan of this aircraft and have traditionally picked up every book written on it. However, I ran out of steam when the same material began showing up in all the books - the same stories, the same photos, the same everything. So I initially passed on purchasing this one. A friend told me I should give it a try, and the purchase price was minimal so I ordered it. What a surprise. Lots of new photos, new information in the clearly-written text, good paper, and great printing. Well worth the effort.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: The authors have done an excellent job of providing a new view of the ill-fated B-70 program. Coverage is provided of the history, politics, and technical aspects of this forward-thinking program to develop a Mach 3 bomber. New information includes a proposal to use the basic B-70 airframe as a prototype supersonic transport (SST), as well as information on the infrared signature reduction effort that was begun as part of the short-lived YB-70 program that was supposed to result in operational bombers. Unfortunately, the Department of Defense decided that the era of the manned bomber had passed - 50 years later we realize it has not.
Rating:
Summary: Well Researched History
Review: This book takes a more balanced approach to telling the story behind this fascinating aircraft than most earlier books. Instead of concentrating on what might have been, the authors concenrate on what was, with very little editorializing on possible missed opportunities - nobody will ever know if the B-70 would have made a good bomber. What this book does contain is a well-written, straight-forward text that details the history of the airplane, its flight program, and a good, but brief, technical description. The photographs are well reporduced, many of them seldom seen, and the overall production quality is excellant. If you want a book on the B-70, this is a good starting place.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: What a great airplane! Despite the fact that is is over 40 years old, this is one of the most exciting aircraft to ever take to the skies. The authors have done a fantasic job documenting why the airplane was wanted and why it was never put into production. There are lots of details about its construction, systems, and troubles, as well as its triumphs (30 minutes at Mach 3 in a 500,000-pound airplane!) and tragedies (the mid-air collision of the number two airplane). This is easily the best book ever written on the subject, especially considering its under-$20 price. Highly recommended for anybody interested in the subject.
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