High-Speed Dreams

Reviews / Votes

Of interest to historians and social scientists concerned with the politics and economics of public policy... An important book on a fascinating topic. Choice 2005 A concise and thoroughly fascinating history of the train wreck that was the U.S. supersonic civil transport programs. Air and Space Magazine 2006 A readable narrative on the interplay between politics, technology, and economics. Airways 2006 Conway seems to have struck the right balance between the nuts-and-bolts of aircraft design and discussion of larger issues, particularly state support for advanced technology... An original and valuable contribution to the saga of a dream deferred. -- Virginia P. Dawson Technology and Culture 2006 Conway does an excellent job of explaining the nationalism inherent in supersonic transport during the Cold War and the domestic American politics surrounding the project. -- Stephen G. Craft Isis 2006 A serious academic work... likely to interest historians and those interested in aerospace research. Satellite Evolution Group 2007 Comprehensive and enjoyable... A cautionary tale of half-baked federal technology and economic policies high-jacking public funds for a concept aircraft that was an engineering boondoggle, a financial black hole and an environmental fiend. -- Thomas Yates History and Technology 2007 [Conway's] examination of the development of supersonic aviation and the various SST programs provides a fascinating internal look at how the technology developed, while also connecting that development with the issue of the larger meaning of technology in society. -- Andrew Baird Journal of American History 2006