Some Not Listed
Agree with GLACIER PILOT reviews Great book. The FLYING NORTH is another accurate one as well-been to some of the places both books mention.
I've read through this thread. Was surprised to see some of the best only mentioned once, OPERATION OVERFLIGHT by Francis Gary Powers was one, interesting read.
Quite a few of my library has already been mentioned, these are the ones that seem to have been left out:
ROCKET FIGHTER by Mano Ziegler (1st person account on flying the ME163)
THE LONELY SKY by William Bridgeman (1st person account on flying the Douglass D558-II Skyrocket)
MEN FROM EARTH by Buzz Aldrin
MOON SHOT by Sheppard/Slayton
COME UP AND GET ME by Kittinger (tested spacesuits for the early astronauts by riding a balloon to over 100,000ft and then parachuting-he helped coach Felix Baumgartner in his record parachute jump a few years ago) National Geographic did a piece on him as well-The Long Lonely Jump
WING LEADER by J.E. Johnson (WWII top scoring allied fighter pilot)
THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE by Brig. Gen Frank Everest JR
IGOR SIKORSKY by Frank Delear
APACHE SUNRISE by Jerome Boyle (Vietnam Cobra Pilot)
CENTAUR FLIGHTS by Richard Spalding (Vietnam Cobra Pilot)
TEST PILOTS: RIDING THE DRAGON by Martin Caidin
FORK TAILED DEVIL THE P38 by Martin Caidin
John Glenn by John Glenn
Not so much a book on aviation: Photos taken by quite a few different astronauts: THE GREATEST ADVENTURE from MACH 1, Inc
The best movie about spaceflight: FOR ALL MANKIND from Criterion-Rob Riener was allowed into NASA archives, he spliced together all of the astronauts film footage into a movie. Many astronauts are quoted and shown. If you watch this movie, best to use the Astronaut Identification choice at the start so you know what mission you are watching. Mostly about Apollo missions to the moon, however, you will see Astronaut White do the first US spacewalk. Lots of moon footage!
As mentioned CHICKENHAWK is one of my favorites.
Currently reading, AT THE EDGE OF SPACE THE X-15 FLIGHT PROGRAMME by Milton O. Thompson bought it two weeks ago on eBay for less than $10. Interesting read so far!
ROCKET FIGHTER by Mano Ziegler is the best book about flying rocket powered airplanes, THE LONEY SKY is a close second. Both cover the dangers of flying rocket engines and the incredible power available.
If you decide to try ROCKET FIGHTER and THE LONELY SKY-try to get the hardbound versions, both have lots of interesting photos.
Best regards,
Mike Bauer