"In 1961, pilot Robert W. White flew a hypersonic rocket-powered airplane six times faster than the speed of sound and higher than 300,000 feet above the Earth. This is his story, tracing his childhood, his years as a pilot and POW during World War II, and his rise as an experimental test pilot in the Air Force"-- Provided by publisher.

Includes index.

The formative years -- Up in the air junior birdman -- My first war -- A guest of the enemy -- Career management 101 -- A pilot's dream -- A brief history lesson -- The fun begins -- Riding the rocket -- Pushing the envelope -- Distractions, decorations, and disaster -- Goodbye Edwards, hello Bitburg -- Another war -- The FX program -- Home again -- Back to school -- The last stop -- Going home -- Reflections.