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NEW AVIATION BOOK
SLED DRIVER, FLYING THE WORLD’S FASTEST JET
CENTENNIAL OF FLIGHT LIMITED EDITION
In 1992, a book about the
famed SR-71 Blackbird, entitled Sled Driver took the aviation
world by storm. Receiving a copy shortly after it was released,
I can still recall sitting down and reading it cover to cover in
one sitting. Stunning in its photography, this coffee table book
became an immediate best seller. As memorable as the pictures,
was the accompanying non-technical style of delightful narrative
that took the reader into the cockpit of the worlds’ fastest,
highest flying jet. No book since has done it better. Amazing
was the fact that author Brian Shul not only flew the SR-71 as
an Air Force pilot, but took all of the striking photographs
himself. This was the first book to intimately take the reader
into the unique world of the Blackbird pilot. From intensive
training, to Mach 3+ flights over hostile territory, to viewing
the stars at 80,000 feet, Shul’s first hand accounts led the
reader effortlessly into the secret world of the fastest,
highest flying spy pilots in history. It was that rare aviation
picture book that I found myself picking up to read more than
once. The humorous anecdotes, captivating prose, and beautiful
photography, not only garnered the book numerous awards, but
made it the most popular SR-71 book ever, with continued sales
here and abroad for over ten years.
With a change in publishers,
the book recently lapsed out of print, much to the dismay of
many Blackbird fans worldwide. In the past couple of years
remaining copies have all but evaporated as Sled Driver is still
the most sought-after book on the SR-71 today. Consequently I
was most interested, and delighted when contacted by the new
publisher about reviewing a preview copy of a special remake of
the book, due for release in 2003.
Now, by popular demand, Sled Driver is back. And like the
magnificent aircraft it so lovingly describes, what a glorious
return it is. Highly cherishing my own Sled Driver for years, I
was skeptical that a remake could improve on the original. I was
wrong. Gallery One Publishing has surpassed all of my
expectations and spared no expense in creating a masterpiece.
Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the Wright Brothers’
flight, Gallery One celebrates the most remarkable aircraft of
the 20th Century with a Centennial of Flight Limited Edition
Sled Driver (3500), an extraordinary work that outshines the
original on all fronts.
I am happy to report that the
new Sled Driver is not a sequel, but rather presents a much
improved version of the same basic story and theme as the
original. When you pick up the Limited Edition, however, you
know this is not your fathers’ Sled Driver. The book is now
artistically printed in a landscape (horizontal) format,
enabling full frame viewing of all those horizontal photos that
were so popular in the original. And speaking of photos, this
time Shul has included only the very best of the photographs
from the original, including some new ones seen for the first
time. A real bonus here is that in addition to his own prized
photographs, Shul has included in the book selected images from
the private collection of famed Lockheed photographer, Eric
Schulzinger, making this the definitive SR-71 photo album. These
incredible SR-71 images now have the quality exposure they aptly
deserve.
The text too, has been
expanded and in some places rewritten for better clarity. My
favorite stories (everyone has a favorite Sled Driver story)
read like I was seeing them for the first time. Additionally,
some new stories and sections have been added, seamlessly
keeping the same flavor and charm of the original and giving the
book an added 20 pages. Shul puts us where we’ve only imagined
being, at the controls of the fastest, and sexiest aircraft ever
built, and does it all without revealing every intimate secret
that is shared only between pilot and plane. In keeping with the
Centennial of Flight year, I particularly enjoyed the
well-placed quotations by the Wright Brothers, and felt a deep
sense of gratitude and respect conveyed by the author for those
two men who changed the 20th Century so dramatically and were so
linked to all that this book is about. Though there is less
emphasis on historical dates and technical data here than in
some other Blackbird books, it is of no consequence, as Shul
tells his story with such a passion and eloquence that it
enables the reader to better understand and truly appreciate
this magnificent plane like no other book has, and by the end,
even come to love it as he does. Even with the spectacular
layout of photos, I have always felt that it was Shul’s love and
respect for the plane, and his appealing ability to convey that
in his writing, that has made Sled Driver such an enduring
classic amongst aviation enthusiasts. Those who enjoyed reading
the first book will simply fall in love with this one. It is
lavishly printed in a large format and just has more of all the
things that made the original a favorite with everyone who read
it.
What makes the Limited
Edition Sled Driver a true collectors item however, are the four
personal signatures included in each book on a special signature
page. These include the first man to fly the SR-71, Robert
Gilliland; the man who flew the final speed record flight across
America 26 years later, Ed Yeilding; author and SR-71 pilot
Brian Shul, and his backseater Walt Watson, co-author of The
Untouchables and the only black officer ever to fly in the SR-71
program. This will not be a book you will easily part with or
loan out.
Richly crafted with gold-edged pages, the book comes in its own
custom clamshell box, includes an embossed number and
certificate of authenticity, and is priced for the serious
collector at $427. It will make a most elegant addition to any
bookshelf. As a special added touch, with each book comes a
commemorative Centennial of Flight embroidered emblem, custom
designed specifically for this Limited Edition.
Will those who already own a
copy of Sled Driver, want to get the new one? Even with the posh
price tag, many will, as there is enough different here to make
it a regal addition to any Blackbird collection. Those who never
got the original, will be glad they waited.
Is it worth the price? You’ll know instantly when you see a
copy. As a fan of both the SR-71, and the original Sled Driver,
I’ve already reserved two copies. The only negative aspect I can
see here is that 3500 Limited Editions may not be enough! I give
the Limited Edition Sled Driver my vote for Aviation Book of The
Year.
The book is a 2003 Centennial
of Flight commemorative, due to arrive by December 2002, and is
available only through direct ordering from the publisher, via
website or by phone. Orders are being taken starting June 2002,
and with only 3680 Limited Editions being printed, early
ordering will be necessary to reserve a book number of choice.
Order can be placed on Gallery One web site at
www.sleddriver.com.
William Orr, Military Historian
Flight Books Review, May 2002
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