Grant Tedrick Hammond

Hammond's book is probably the strongest general introduction to Boyd, so it'd be just like me to read the introduction last, after the general biography (Coram's Boyd), the academic analysis of OODA loop theory (Osinga's Science, Strategy, and War), and the application to business (Richard's Certain to Win). This book is an intellectual biography, tracing the development of Boyd's career from fighter pilot and the author of the Aerial Attack Study, to formulator of Energy-Maneuverability show more and one of the inspirations behind the F-15 and F-16, to the last third of his career, and the search for a grand strategic synthesis via the OODA loop and an unpublished presentation, A Discourse on Winning and Losing, along with the reform a hopelessly gold plated military procurement system.

Hammond was one of Boyd's confidants in the latter part of Boyd's life, a partner in long late-night phone conversations, a bouncing board for ideas, and a reviewer of scientific concepts. He paints a loving, almost hagiographic portrait of a brilliant unconventional thinker, the very antithesis of a USAF company man who won again and again by having the data and facts, against the politics of mediocrity. However, Boyd suffered greatly for his efforts: He retired on a colonel's pension and refused more than a token paycheck, and that only so he could maintain his Pentagon access. The military reform movement broke down in political disarray with the end of the Cold War. Modern strategists talk about the OODA loop all over the place, largely due to Hammond's book, but real strategic thinking is a rare bird. show less

Overall, it loses balance and tips towards hagiography. Chapters 8-11 have some good content. Had been hoping for a more explicit examination of E-M Theory.