- Hardcover: 272 pages
- Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers (31 May 2006)
- Language English
- ISBN-10: 0060882417
- ISBN-13: 978-0060882419
- Product Dimensions: 22.9 x 15.7 x 2.5 cm
- Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 171,373 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
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Front Cover | Copyright | Table of Contents | Excerpt | Index | Back Cover
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The first ever telling of the story of the Jumbo Jet from the man who oversaw its design - Joe Sutter. It's a fascinating transport back in time to the mid 1960s - a time when anything seemed possible - a time when America was pushing the boundaries trying to get Man on the Moon and fly the common airline passenger faster than the speed of sound. What Sutter also reveals is that the embryonic 747 faced the same probing questions as the Airbus A380 faces today; "is it TOO big?", "how can it be operated at a profit?", or "is it just an oversized white elephant?".
Joe Sutter guides the reader through the political minefield that had to be negotiated to answer these questions, and how he had to fight at every turn with his bosses to get resources, money and credibility within Boeing in order to release a product that many considered would be dead within a few years - at the same time dealing with some of the larger-than-life individuals at both his own company, and the 747's launch customer Pan Am. The story is surrounded by good narratives on Sutter's pre-747 career cutting his teeth on earlier models such as the 707 and 737, and how he has contributed to pretty much every Boeing product to the present day right up to the 787 Dreamliner.
If the book has a weakness, there is just a little bit too much Boeing back-slapping from time to time. Sutter is keen to praise the technical achievements of every Boeing aeroplane ever designed, but is reluctant to concede that other, equally as worthy contributions to airliner technology have been made by other manufacturers.
Nevertheless this book is a must for any aviation enthusiast.
Joe Sutter guides the reader through the political minefield that had to be negotiated to answer these questions, and how he had to fight at every turn with his bosses to get resources, money and credibility within Boeing in order to release a product that many considered would be dead within a few years - at the same time dealing with some of the larger-than-life individuals at both his own company, and the 747's launch customer Pan Am. The story is surrounded by good narratives on Sutter's pre-747 career cutting his teeth on earlier models such as the 707 and 737, and how he has contributed to pretty much every Boeing product to the present day right up to the 787 Dreamliner.
If the book has a weakness, there is just a little bit too much Boeing back-slapping from time to time. Sutter is keen to praise the technical achievements of every Boeing aeroplane ever designed, but is reluctant to concede that other, equally as worthy contributions to airliner technology have been made by other manufacturers.
Nevertheless this book is a must for any aviation enthusiast.
Format:Paperback
More than 15 years ago, I had read another paperback on Boeing 747, which was an excellent story.
Many years have passed by and I felt nostalgic and decided to give this book a try. What this book
provides are details about some of the design decision behind 747.
As a story, it probably could have been told better. Having said that, I must clearify that this
is a very good book on how Boeing 747 was conceived and built. If you are interested in certain
engine and wings fundamentals and how design decisions are arrived at, this is the book to read.
Many years have passed by and I felt nostalgic and decided to give this book a try. What this book
provides are details about some of the design decision behind 747.
As a story, it probably could have been told better. Having said that, I must clearify that this
is a very good book on how Boeing 747 was conceived and built. If you are interested in certain
engine and wings fundamentals and how design decisions are arrived at, this is the book to read.
Format:Paperback
Joe Sutter helped design a series of world-beating aircraft in his time at Boeing and this book is an easy read by someone deeply in love with his job. It is a treat to learn about how aircraft were designed in the early days of aviation and Sutter's prose is clear and engaging.
But - perhaps it's a little too in awe of the 747.
Okay, you can hardly expect the designer of perhaps the most important aircraft ever built to be impartial, but this book is let down by the continuing criticism of other aircraft designers. If Joe Sutter were to be believed only Boeing built great aircraft in the US and that the British, Europeans and Russians were amateurs, that Airbus never threatened Boeing and everyone knew Concorde was doomed. The book glosses over problems with the early 747 in favour of continuous praise which is both wrong and tedious.
If you need a rounded view of the 747 you might also need to read Clive Irving's 'Wide-Body: The Triumph of the 747'.
But - perhaps it's a little too in awe of the 747.
Okay, you can hardly expect the designer of perhaps the most important aircraft ever built to be impartial, but this book is let down by the continuing criticism of other aircraft designers. If Joe Sutter were to be believed only Boeing built great aircraft in the US and that the British, Europeans and Russians were amateurs, that Airbus never threatened Boeing and everyone knew Concorde was doomed. The book glosses over problems with the early 747 in favour of continuous praise which is both wrong and tedious.
If you need a rounded view of the 747 you might also need to read Clive Irving's 'Wide-Body: The Triumph of the 747'.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
missed opportunity
I borrowed this book from the local library and I am glad I did not buy it. I was expecting more from this book. Read more
Published on 29 Oct 2008 by Ramses
not the best..
was hoping for a bit more detail on the design and challenges of developing the 747, but it sort of glossed over them. the only part that went into detail was engine issues. Read more
Published on 9 May 2007 by P. J. Reeves
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