Airline

by Kevin Donovan

Book Overview

""He was flying a plane, his plane. And though he would manage to land it safely that evening, his soul would remain aloft for the rest of his life."" And so begins the tale of young Marty Willman,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0595337511
• ISBN13: 9780595337514
• Release Date: January 2005
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Length: 292 Pages
• Weight: 0.95 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Great characters set against a global airline

While discussing air travel, a friend recommended the novel Airline to me. I picked up a copy and read it over several long flights and enjoyed it thoroughly. This novel is largely character driven with the fictional Alta Airlines serving as both a backdrop for the story as well as a character as the company evolves from a regional crop dusting business into a global commercial air carrier. Clearly, Donovan is an expert on the airline industry and does an excellent job of providing compelling detail and insight into the complexities of relationships, corporate politics and the challenges of running an airline including terrorism, union disputes and air rage while never becoming pedantic. Juxtaposed with the evolution of the airline, the characters are complex and real, a welcome departure from the two-dimensional ones so commonly found (both in real life and in fiction). I would highly recommend this novel to anyone looking to spend some time getting to know some interesting characters and getting insight into the operations of a global air carrier. A great read!

Intimate and detailed view from an airline insider!

But don't let NOT being associated with an airline {If that's even possible today} stop you from absorbing this well conceived novel. Like aspects of the airline industry itself, Donovan's novel moves along with great alacrity and tension, dispensing the nuance and detail of a wildly fast moving industry and the players therein. He has captured the growth of a major airline from its infancy as well as the simultaneous personal growth, and in some cases the glaring lack of personal growth of some his primary characters. Indeed, the growth of the company and some of the individuals that comprise that very company seem to be fused together at times making the reading of this novel even more compelling. A must read for anyone in the industry or anyone outside of the industry who has even the slightest curiosity as to the inner workings of a global airline.

Gripping!

Anyone who has ever worked for an airline, or just flown on one will be able to appreciate this novel. The story is engrossing and the writing style draws the reader in and does not let go. In Kevin Donovan's finely crafted novel, we are reminded that the airlines are much more than collections of airplanes and airports; and that the "miracle of flight" is due in large part to the many thousands of people who devote their careers to airlines. All past, present and future airline employees owe it to themselves to read this book.

Good Read

Airline, through the creative written word of Donovan, tells a tale of an earnest young man and his interest in aviation and how that interest manifests itself into a mighty corporation. This is less a book about an airline and more about the people who are a part of it, and how their lives are woven through the company and each other.

Totally Captivating

This tale of corporate and personal developments, successes and failures must be on your reading list! Kevin Donovan's story-telling talent created a beautifully written book which pulls you into the web of happenings and enthralls you with his flowing language. "Current Events" are perfectly interwoven and add especially interesting passages throughout this well-paced story. Don't miss a chance to read this brillant, exciting and beautifully written book - it will leave a lasting impression on you!