Hypersonic: The Story of the North American X-15

Flight Journal, Aug 2003 by Boyne, Walt

Hypersonic: The Story of the North American X-15

by Dennis R. Jenkins and Tony R. Landis, with forewords by Scott Crossfield and William H. Dana. Specialty Press, 39966 Grand Ave., North Branch, MN 55056; 264 pages, illustrated $39.95; (800) 895-4585; www.specialtypress.com.

This brilliant book has everything going for it, from an exciting subject to excellent authors to beautiful photographs-all at a giveaway price. Dennis Jenkins and Tony Landis present the 1,000,000hp X-15 in all its glory, and in the words of its first pilot, Scott Crossfield, the authors have "blended a triumph of the technology and the evangelistic spirit of its perpetrators into lore of historical moment." Twice as fast as a rifle bullet, the hypersonic X-15 flew faster and higher than any other aircraft up to that time, and its flight-test program is widely regarded as the most productive of its kind. This is a serious, well-documented history of the entire X-15 program, from concept to museum resting places, and its fine quality will astound both the buff and the serious student of flight.