Clarence L. Johnson (1910–1990)

This is a memoir of an aviation leader; from his growing up in Northern Michigan through his design of some of the greatest airplanes in the world. As the teaser says, it's about Kelly, not about the projects, told in the first person. Short and sweet book.

An excellent autobiography by one of the true giants of American aerospace. Don't expect an in-depth history of any of the individual aircraft (P-38, U-2, SR-71, ...) that Johnson designed. There are other sources for that (Ben Rich, who succeeded Johnson as head of Lockheed Skunk Works, wrote an excellent history of that fascinating organization). Rather, Johnson's clear prose offers a concise window into one of the most successful parts of the military industrial complex. Necessary context show more and color for any student of 20th Century military history or defense policy. show less