Why I Hate Flying: Tales for the Tormented Traveler

by Henry Mintzberg

Book Overview

As all travelers know, flying is no simple matter. There are the horrors of the check-in to be negotiated, the uneven struggle to squash your hand luggage into the overhead locker and the constant... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1587990636
• ISBN13: 9781587990632
• Release Date: April 2001
• Publisher: Texere Publishing
• Length: 160 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 4.7" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

Amusing but not hilarious

This little volume comes straight from the heart. It's not amazingly hilarious, but if you are a frequent international traveller, then you'll relate to every story that is told.Mintzberg flies frequently between Canada & France, so Air Kanuk & Air Gaul feature regularly, but other airlines come into their fair share of ridicule. You won't laugh out loud, but it should bring a wry smile from every page. If you know a business traveller, and want a 'stocking filler', buy them it for Christmas.

It's humor but it's not fiction

I was at the bookstore buying more serious books on Six Sigma when this little gem jumped out at me. By the time I got to the chapter dealing with food I was weeping with laughter. Just about everyone cops a swipe in this book and as an Australian, MBA qualified manager who used to work at Sydney Airport, I felt a few barbs myself.Henry is working outside of his normal style and doesnt always pull it off but I nonetheless was refreshed to see that this world-wide authority on management shares some of my own misgivings about Globalism with a big G and Management with a big M.The insights are a useful whack on the side of the head for anybody involved in managing any business. Readers who have travelled only a fraction of Mintzberg's air-miles are also bound to identify with at least some of his anecdotes, as I did.By the end of the book you should understand the difference between Customer Service and customer service.So, if your management-reading palate is a little jaded then treat this as sorbet-for-the-management soul.

Too real

Truly, who really needs reminding of why, for those of who travel quite frequently, air flight is horrid. Mitzberg is the proof that airline travel is hardly the titillating adventure your friends and family mistakenly labor under -- you know what I'm talking about: "Oooh, going to Florida in October!" a look of envy in their eyes.Your response: "Oh yes. Going on business, seeing the inside of the airport, the inside of an airplane, the inside of the shuttle/taxi, the inside of my hotel room, the inside of the conference room and then just reverse this intoxicating adventure! I'm sure I'll see palm trees at the airport though..."Mr. Mintzberg recalls for us the exact reasons why we loathe this transportation method with ironic humor. I also find it comforting to know I'm not the only one harboring evil thoughts while traveling packed into an aluminum coffin hurtling through the air...

Will this be the beginning of a new career for Henry? Naw.

Henry's book fills a much-needed gap in the literature.Actually, in spite of the publisher's request that I write an "undorsement" of this book, I read it cover to cover. Now, if they'd only sent me the text, too, I could have read the rest. But in any case, I laughed! I cried! And then Henry's goons put me down...Do me a favor. If you see me reading this book in public, don't tell my students.

Read this and go ahead ON BOARD!

Highly recommended and very good book, "Why I Hate Flying" allows readers to feel the insight of the frequent travellers. This book will make you realize that is not only a jet-legged persona but it is really cool to be on stand by flyers. This book is so cool to be read while you waiting for your next flight. Read it! Its a MUST for all flyers.