Jet Man

Name: Jet Man
Brand: Allen & Unwin
SKU: 9781788544702
Price: 27.99 NZD
Availability: OutOfStock

The Making and Breaking of Frank Whittle, Genius of the Jet Revolution

By Duncan Campbell-Smith

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4.4

( 348 ratings, 16 reviews)

Summary

Jet Man by Duncan Campbell-Smith is a gripping biography that dives into the life and ideas of Frank Whittle, the British engineer and inventor of the jet engine. It explores his journey from a determined young visionary to his enduring legacy in modern aviation, offering an insightful look into his triumphs and challenges within the rapidly evolving landscape of 20th-century aeronautical innovation.
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Format: Paperback / softback

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this captivating biography if you're intrigued by pioneering aviation figures and their impact on both government policy and public perception. This book dives deep into the thrilling world of early jet age innovations, exploring the visionary individuals behind groundbreaking achievements in aviation history.

Jet Man

The biography of Frank Whittle – RAF pilot, mathematician of genius, inventor of the jet engine and British hero.

The biography of Frank Whittle – RAF pilot, mathematician of genius, inventor of the jet engine and British hero.

Description

The biography of Frank Whittle – RAF pilot, mathematician of genius, inventor of the jet engine and British hero.

The story of Frank Whittle – RAF pilot, mathematician of genius, inventor of the jet engine and British hero.

Jet Man is described as 'Wonderful' by David Edgerton, TLS, 'A fascinating account' by Aeroplane Monthly, and it 'Casts new light on the intense, heroic character of Frank Whittle' according to Leo McKinstry. Journal of Aeronautical History praises it as '[A] thorough dissection of the evolution of the jet engine... I recommend this mighty tome unreservedly' and James Hamilton-Paterson declares it 'A long overdue corrective of an extraordinary man'. Military History Monthly calls it 'A fine, deeply researched book'.

In 1938, a thirty-one-year-old RAF pilot and engineer named Frank Whittle – given special leave to pursue his own startlingly original concept of flight – presented the Air Ministry with a written proposal for a revolutionary jet-powered fighter aircraft. A ready response might have changed the course of history, but Whittle got no reply.

In this gripping and insightful biography, Duncan Campbell-Smith charts Whittle's success at building a pre-war jet engine against all the odds – and tracks his desperate struggle to have it launched into active service against Hitler's Luftwaffe. It arrived too late – but nonetheless transformed the future of aviation.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Jet Man by Duncan Campbell-Smith receives high praise for its comprehensive portrayal of Frank Whittle's innovative mind and significant contributions to aviation. Reviewers commend it for its detailed exploration of Whittle's character and the obstacles he faced, both political and technical. The book is highlighted for its thorough research, insightful use of primary sources, and its contribution to the historical understanding of Whittle and the jet engine's development.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781788544702

Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 August 2021

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Apollo

Illustration: 25 integrated b&w, 2 x 8pp b&w

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 36.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 477g

Pages: 560

Collections

Biography & Memoir Duncan Campbell-Smith Education & Reference Engineering, Technology & Agriculture Non-Fiction Science & Technology Biographies

About the Author

Duncan Campbell-Smith is a former Financial Times and Economist journalist whose career has also included working in the City, consulting with McKinsey & Co and a short stint in the world of corporate communications. His previous books include Struggle for Take-Off, A History of British Airways (1986). He won the Wadsworth Business History Prize for his authorised history of the Royal Mail, Masters of the Post (2011).