The Icarus Syndrome: The Role of Air Power Theory in the Evolution and Fate of the U.S. Air Force

In this at once sobering and pragmatic book, Mr Builder brings to the fore a background to an ongoing story that is rarely accessible to the general reader. The modern Air Force continues to evolve due in large part to the sheer force of the personalities wearing the unifiom. Exploiting technology relentlessly while stubbornly clinging to the ways of their upbringing as captains and majors, today's Air Force colonels and generals are hamstrung between new and old. This book expertly and accurately describes the process and its result. The book's core focus is on contemporary leadership and the experiences that shaped them (i.e., the Cold War and Vietnam, in a combination of extremes) If anyone wants to know why the Air Force does the odd things it occassionaly does (in public and private), the answers lie herein, told in unemotional tuths. Thank you, Carl Builder, for providing what Gen McPeak was unable to give you credit for in the book's opening remarks. Strongly recommended for the intelligent student of Air Force history - this book should have been on the Air Force Chief of Staff Reading List. The only improvement would be a reissue in paperback to spare the $44.00 cost.Senior Master Sergeant Paul D. Helphenstine Directorate of Logistics/Aircraft Maint Policy and Programs, Headquarters, United States Air Forces in Europe