The American Airport [Hardcover]

Geza Szurovy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 2003

The American Airport covers the architectural history of American airports as they reflect developments in aviation.Beginning with the wooden track that launched the Wright Flyer from the sands of Kitty Hawk in 1903, the text traces airport history to the first military aerodromes used before World War I, to the use of open fields and gravel roads in the barnstorming days when air travel became commonplace for the masses.so covered is the transition to the jet age, and the subsequent demand for longer paved runways and modern terminals. The final chapters culminate with a look at the modern airport, with all its technology and vast acreage.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Geza Szurovy is an award-winning aviation journalist whose professional pilot qualifications include a Douglas DC-3 type rating. During his early childhood he fell in love with the propliners that took him to the remotest regions of the globe where his father prospected for oil. His main interest lies in personally experiencing the different historic eras of flight by flying period aircraft and seeking the link between surviving aviation artifacts and the social history they represent. His previous books include The Art of the Airways, Wings of Yesteryear, Classic American Airlines, Executive Jets, and Cessna Citation Jets.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 156 pages
• Publisher: Zenith Press (August 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0760312427
• ISBN-13: 978-0760312421
• Product Dimensions: 10.4 x 10.3 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #854,857 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The American Airport, September 4, 2005

By 

Juan Vaquer-Castrodad (San Juan, Puerto Rico USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The American Airport (Hardcover)

For those who love airports and airplanes, this is a wonderful book to have. Simple, well-written, but unpretentious, it is loaded with lots of good period photographs and illustrations that cover the historical development of airports and the growth and transformations of the passenger airline industry in the United States. It would have been great if it were not limited to airports in this country, but had also included the develoment of airports all over the world. My suggestion to the author is to try just that: a second book devoted to international airports around the world and the development of the international airline system, particularly in Europe and Latin America, and, of course, including some of the exciting and ultra modern airports built in recent years accross the globe, especially in the Middle East and Asia. I'll be first in line to buy such a book! If you are an airport and airline enthusiast like me, I am sure you will very much enjoy The American Airport.

7 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating History of the Evolution of the American Airport, December 23, 2003

By 

John Nolley II (Fairfax, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The American Airport (Hardcover)

From the first days of aviation--biplanes using dirt fields for landing and takeoff--to the modern state-of-the-art airports like the new one built in Denver--this book takes you on a historical and pictoral journey across the history of the American airport.

To most travelers, all airports are alike other than the variety of restaurants and shops contained within; most people never stop to look at the amazing architectural details of many of today's American airports. From the art deco style of Regan National's updated terminals to the Native-American inspired "tents" of Denver International to LAX's futuristic Theme Building, this book gives a great overview of the distinctive styles and the functionality of our airports today.