The Central Intelligence Agency and Overhead Reconnaissance: The U-2 and OXCART Programs, 1954?1974 Paperback – March 15, 2016

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was very well researched and documented and the footnotes were excellent. A particular of just to be were the CIA role in the development of what became the SR-71.I recommend this book without reservation.

The detail of the equipment and intelligence is superb.

Read the sample then bought the book. The details are sometimes overwhelming but worth having. Gonna keep this one for sure!

I'm so glad that this book is out. I have the old version with the blocked out words and sections that came directly from the CIA. This fills in a lot, mostly in the area of U-2 flight maps and info on the pilots and their mission dates. Missing info on Area 51 is now in this one also. I think this really adds a lot to the history of the program. I wish some maps and pictures were a little better quality, but they had to work with the material that the CIA gave them. The original maps were in color, and I guess that didn't translate to the B&W of this book that well for some maps. The original book is 8.5 by 11 and this one is 6 by 9 inches, so graphics could have been smaller, but they put many on their own page and made them bigger, which is nice plus. This book is something to put on every person's bookshelf that has interest in the U-2! So much history, and so much data on the program.

Great book; I received it soon after ordering; price was good.

Nice book on the history of the CIA's use of aerial recon. Most of the book talks about the development and operational history of the U-2 spy plane. I would estimate about 4/5 of the book is about the U-2. The development of the A-12 is mentioned as well but only near the end of the book or the final 1/5 of the book. This is understandable because the CIA only used the A-12 for a year or two at most while the U-2 was used for a far longer amount of time by the CIA. An overall great read and I would recommend anyone with a fascination of the CIA or the U-2 to read this book.

A fascinating review of CIA U-2 operations. Nice reprint without and censoring of documents. Enjoyable and fascinating story!

If you're into this stuff, this is a must have. A book that keeps reminding one that we have been, and most probably still are dreaming sweet dreams under a blanket provided by brilliant and dedicaded people.