I totally agree with
411A's post regarding D P Davies' book 'Handling the Big Jets', it is one of the best compendiums of aviation wisdom I have had the pleasure to read - accurate information, forthrightly expressed. May I also recommend this link here, where he discusses some of the very interesting issues he encountered when certificating aircraft.
I have also had the pleasure of flying with him, and he was equally robust!!
D P Davies interviews on certificating aircraft