Chapter 6, Picture Postcards for Ike Summary and Analysis

This chapter takes place during the 50s, and tells the story of Ben Rich's work on the U-2 Spy Plane. Rich was shocked by how secretive the plane was; he couldn't even talk to his wife about it. He found that the entire project revolved around Kelly Johnson. The goal of the U-2 project is to take photos of Russia from undetectably high altitudes and give valuable reconnaissance information to the CIA. Rich works more hours and his wife worries about what project he is working on. At this time, East-West relations are at record low. Both the US and the USSR had tested hydrogen bombs and subtle provocations were exchanged between the two countries. This motivated Rich to work hard.

The US had tried to use weather balloons to spy on the...