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jchammer's review against another edition
5.0
Cornerstone reading for anyone who wants to lead in the military, or manage acquisition operations. Also a good story about a paradigm-shifting airman.
jasperburns's review against another edition
4.0
This is an excellent biography about one of the most famous fighter pilots in history. It is over-the-top and every story feels just a little bit too exaggerated. And it almost feels as if the author is engaged in hero-worship. But this hyperbole is part of its appeal; he sells Boyd as a figure to be admired and put on a pedestal. It is fun to read about such a figure.
From a Big 5 psychological standpoint, Boyd seems like he may have maxed out disagreeability. He seemed to love doing what he wanted, and screw whatever anyone else thought. I found his sense of purpose motivating, and his lack of fear of retribution from his seniors as freeing for myself.
While I have been cursorily exposed to E-M diagrams as part of our air-to-air threat study, I never really understood the depths of its origins, and learning about Boyd's hard-fought work in developing E-M theory was fascinating.
What was most valuable to me was learning about his paper Destruction and Creation, where he describes in clear and concise detail a theory of thinking that is very close to what I've been working on myself. This paper, which I've now read separately, would be a full five-stars from me. The next most important insight to me was OODA loops, which I knew from ROTC but had the importance drilled more deeply into me here. The more you think about it, the more subverting an enemy's decision cycle makes sense. I thought it was useful to understand that the "best" wartime tactic might actually be worse than the least expected one. This, and the development of maneuver warfare rather than attrition warfare, is a valuable insight.
Everyone else in aviation, especially tacair, should read this book. It makes me feel pride in our profession and was enjoyable to boot.
View my best reviews and a collection of mental models at jasperburns.blog.
From a Big 5 psychological standpoint, Boyd seems like he may have maxed out disagreeability. He seemed to love doing what he wanted, and screw whatever anyone else thought. I found his sense of purpose motivating, and his lack of fear of retribution from his seniors as freeing for myself.
While I have been cursorily exposed to E-M diagrams as part of our air-to-air threat study, I never really understood the depths of its origins, and learning about Boyd's hard-fought work in developing E-M theory was fascinating.
What was most valuable to me was learning about his paper Destruction and Creation, where he describes in clear and concise detail a theory of thinking that is very close to what I've been working on myself. This paper, which I've now read separately, would be a full five-stars from me. The next most important insight to me was OODA loops, which I knew from ROTC but had the importance drilled more deeply into me here. The more you think about it, the more subverting an enemy's decision cycle makes sense. I thought it was useful to understand that the "best" wartime tactic might actually be worse than the least expected one. This, and the development of maneuver warfare rather than attrition warfare, is a valuable insight.
Everyone else in aviation, especially tacair, should read this book. It makes me feel pride in our profession and was enjoyable to boot.
View my best reviews and a collection of mental models at jasperburns.blog.
jasonlong's review against another edition
5.0
“Do you want to be someone or do something?” is my new favorite life axiom. Makes sense when you read the book.
Also, the level of bureaucracy in the military is borderline treasonous.
Also, the level of bureaucracy in the military is borderline treasonous.
nilrups's review against another edition
2.0
Boyd's accomplishments regarding aerial combat and thinking are important.
I would have appreciated more source references.
I would have appreciated more source references.
hikenaz's review against another edition
From Art of Manliness article and mentioned in Tim Ferris podcast with his investing mentor
menc04's review against another edition
5.0
This book is one of the most fascinating books I have read. If the book is accurate John Boyd is an American Hero. Even though the book does not go into his family life in great detail it shows you enough to see that this man that was loved dearly by his friends was not so loved by his family. Unfortunately, his anger and rage would not allow him to show the same love for his wife, sons and daughters that he showed for his friends. His anger also hindered him from becoming one of the greatest generals every. The one battle he never one was to overcome himself and figure out a way to work with people that where not up to his standards. If he choose to he would have been able to accomplish much more than he did. The book is not that well written but the story and the character make it a great read.
bastibe's review against another edition
3.0
Somewhere within the book, there is a beautiful and insightful story about a colorful, influencial man. But the book buries Boyd's story beneath so many layers of hyperbole, overdramatization, and conjecture, that I almost lost sight of it.
Then again, this seems to mirror Boyd's own writing style, which you can sample in the appendix.
Then again, this seems to mirror Boyd's own writing style, which you can sample in the appendix.
causearuckus's review against another edition
5.0
Fascinating read about someone who's ideas were so revolutionary they encountered extreme resistance to be accepted. Once you get through the fighter pilot worship this is a great read and is never dull. Has inspired quite a bit of follow up reading as well