I have just finished reading one of the most fascinating books of this year. It is Dennis Jenkins and Tony Landis' book on the XB-70 Valkyrie. If you have read any of the other books by either of these authors, then you know that the level of quality in both the primary research that went into them. This one is no exception.

The authors have covered more than just the history of the development of the XB-70, for there is more to the story than the design and flight of these two very remarkable aircraft.

There is also the history of attempts to develop an atomic powered aircraft, the stories of the XF-103 and XF-108, the development of exotic boron fuels that were initially felt paramount to the aircraft's ability to meet its mission specifications, developing the J-93 engines that were to ultimately power the Valkyrie and other smaller, but un-realized subsystems and weapons systems.

All of this is accompanied by a very readable text that leaves nothing out. There are also hundreds of  photographs with many of them in full color. As you would expect from a book of this caliber, there are complete mission logs, use of the Valkyrie by NASA as part of their SST development program, and a great deal more.

To put it simply, this book is a must have for any aviation enthusiast.

Review book courtesy of , where you can order your copy of this and many other superb aviation and modeling books. Call 1-800-895-4585 for phone in orders.

If you would like your product reviewed fairly and quickly by a site that has nearly 300,000 visitors a month, please contact me or see other details in the Note to Contributors.