Document created: 1 December 03
Air & Space Power Journal - Winter 2003

Faster, Further, Higher: Leading-Edge Aviation Technology since 1945 edited by Philip Jarrett. Putnam Aeronautical Books (http://www. chrysalisbooks.co.uk/books/publisher/ putnam), 64 Brewery Road, London, United Kingdom N7 9NT, 2002, 256 pages, $53.85 (hardcover).

Faster, Further, Higher is a very ambitious collection of 13 essays that cover aviation technology over the past 50 years. Most of the authors, with the exception of Richard Hallion and Jerry Scutts, are probably unknown to the readers of this journal. However, they bring impressive credentials and skills to the task at hand and clearly demonstrate their abilities in this valuable effort.

One finds much to be said in favor of this book. It spans a broad range of topics from a wider perspective than most American military readers are accustomed to. For example, both commercial and British aviation receive at least equal play with military and American aviation. The topics are up to date and deal with a number of projects (F-22 Raptor, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, V-22 Osprey, and unmanned aerial vehicles) and issues (avionics, engines, and simulations) in today’s spotlight. Test aircraft are well covered, along with other, usually neglected, topics such as manufacturing and aircraft instruments. The authors’ inclusion of some very technical material certainly indicates that they have no intention of talking down to the reader. The book also includes excellent illustrations. Perhaps most important, all the essays, although they lack citations, have very useful bibliographies. I won’t bore the reader with my favorite chapters, but I will say that a number proved valuable to me, as they will to others interested in the book’s subject. Finally, this volume not only is up to date, but also devotes considerable attention to elements in development or on the drawing board—a feature that should give this collection longevity well beyond its publication date.

Negative elements are not as significant. As with all collections, especially one with such broad scope, the quality of essays is mixed. Some of them wander and just don’t come to grips with the subject at hand. In addition, readers will always judge the choice of topics in relationship to their own interests. I believe that at least three topics received less attention than they deserved: turboprops, command and control, and stealth. But the principal problem of Jarrett’s collection is readability. The depth of detail, technical jargon, and British slang make many essays difficult to read—something one might expect from a technical text for engineers rather than a survey for interested laymen or students of the field.

In summary, Faster, Further, Higher is a good book that should be in every library that supports aviation themes. Students of aviation technology will profit greatly from the bibliographies and some, if not many, of the articles. Others will surely benefit from this volume, but their efforts will require steady determination to penetrate the thick prose. In any case, this effort is a fine addition to the publisher’s History of Aircraft series and to the literature on aviation technology.

Kenneth P. Werrell
Christiansburg, Virginia

Disclaimer

The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University.