Customer Reviews

Silverbird: The American Airlines Story

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Silverbird presents a thorough historical chronicle of American Airlines through words and pictures. The book is full of fascinating personal stories, fun facts, and beautiful photos and illustrations. Current and former AA employees (like me), as well as airline enthusiasts, will enjoy this work from John Wegg and Don Bedwell.

This is the very best book ever written on American Airlines. It has everything: history, interesting anecdotes, and many photographs. I want to leave it on the coffee table so everyone can see it--yet i find myself picking up again to read through.

John Wegg has done it again. His latest superb editorial production of an airline's history exceeds all his former efforts in bringing to the reader, be they aviation enthusiasts or air travelers, a stunningly crafted history of AMERICAN AIRLINES. The book is aptly titled "SILVERBIRD," the livery reflection of this airlines polished aircraft. No base metal is in this book. Written by a former news editor of American Airlines, John Wegg's concise editorial control and creative concepts are well evident to readers familiar with his publications. This book is his tour de force. There is a veritable treasure trove of photographs in this outstanding book on the history of AMERICAN AIRLINES. From canvas and wire to the very latest in air transport technology, all are stunningly reproduced in the exceptional photographs in this book. I enjoyed every page; it will not go unread on the coffee table.

Robert S. Ames Captain, American Airlines

Very detailed history of American Airlines.
Photo is all in color. Hardcover.
American Airways era to current American Airlines...
How AA successed, about fleets, Ads, About FA, what AA did...
every thing about AA is in this book!
sorry about my english.

Silverbird is the definitive American Airlines history. Don Bedwell does an especially fine job explaining the nearly unexplainable -- AA's convoluted origins as a willy-nilly collection of early upstarts that formed to become American Airways, and then American Airlines. Don taps his unique background as long-time editor of Flagship News, as a seasoned major newspaper journalist, and an aviation enthusiast, to skillfully capture the history and spirit of a greAAt company. John Wegg did his usual masterful job in editing and producing this large book. Don't let the price stop you -- this one belongs on every airline buff's bookshelf.

I was very pleased to find this book and to get it autographed by the author was a big plus.

This was AAmazing! This was probably the best book I have ever read. It though had a lot of input from AA. I bought at the Smithosian for only $11.99 in Washington, DC. Two other books about AA is Exit Row by Tammy Kling, an Emergency Response Worker and 4 miracles on flight 965. Then A Spirit of Greatness: Stories from Employees of American Airlines.

'Silverbird-The American Airlines Story' is a comprehensive look at AA, covering the lifetime of the carrier although emphasizing the recent era. The book is organized more topically than strictly chronologically so that, for example, Chapter 13 'Selling the product' covers the history of marketing AA since the 1930s. There's some classic stuff here you'll want to check out. I'll just point out some highlights and you can get the book to see the rest: There's a excellent shot of a 737-800 on final to SJC on page 7. There is also coverage of AA's 40th anniversary of jet service, complete with a specially-painted "757 Jet Flagship." Wouldn't it be nice if the leaders at other airlines would see fit to follow AA's example and paint aircraft back into late 50s/early 1960s colors (OK, some have)? Take a look at the ad spread on pages 94-95. That's the kind of neat advertising that you never see any more. The sad, sad tale of AA's headquarters relocation from 3rd Avenue to Cowtown is related in chapter 10. This is kind of depressing, unless you're Hank ('Ah feel like I've died and gone to Noo Yawk') Hill. Two of my favorite photos are in the sidebar about Bob Takis-the 707 and 990 flying in formation and the 990 dumping fuel in flight. You can never have enough color AA 990 photos in your book. Another gem is an early 1960s shot of CR Smith posing with a model of a 727-100 in a never-used paint scheme. If you want to see more, check out the book.