Starting Something Big: The Commercial Emergence of GE Aircraft Engines (Library of Flight Series) [Paperback]

R. Garvin (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1999 | ISBN-10: 1563472899 | ISBN-13: 978-1563472893

Witness as GE Aircraft Engines moves from military markets to commercial ventures through the eyes of a 40-year company veteran. Robert Garvin's enlightening history details the political and external forces affecting the engine industry and how GE avoided some of the problems posed by environmental politics. Much more than a memoir, "Starting Something Big tracks GE's progress from the early 1950s to its present-day dominance in the global market. Interview accounts and anecdotes add personal flair to Garvin's analysis of the long-term economic characteristics of the aircraft engine industry, including GE's contract with the U.S. Department of Commerce to help Russian aerospace engineers adapt and survive in civil markets. You'll learn, through Garvin's experience, how to gain an edge in finding money for new programs, staying competitive in the production of commercial aircraft engines, and positioning your financial investors--and start something big of your own.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Born in Vienna and educated at Kings College, London and MIT, Robert Garvin has spent more than 42 years in international management with General Electric Company. His experience has spanned engineering, manufacturing, project management, strategic planning, marketing, business development, and trade policy. Garvin had roles in establishing cooperative programs in Canada, Japan, Korea, China, Israel, Turkey, Greece, and throughout Western Europe. Since his retirement in 1992 as vice president and general manger of Aircraft Engine Overseas Operations and as president of GE Aircraft EnginesChina, Garvin has provided consultant services for the United Nations on the commercial conversion of the Russian aero-engine industry; for a U.S. bank on the development, production, and sales of a small airliner for a Russo-Indian consortium; for the World Bank on the viability two Romania state-owned factories. He also serves on several corporate and civic boards of directors and teaches business courses in the United States, Peoples Republic of China, and the Middle East.

Product Details

• Paperback: 341 pages
• Publisher: AIAA (January 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563472899
• ISBN-13: 978-1563472893
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,096,741 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Much More than a History of GE Aircraft Engines, February 22, 2000

By 

The Aerospace Professional (RAeS) (London, England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Starting Something Big: The Commercial Emergence of GE Aircraft Engines (Library of Flight Series) (Paperback)

The book's title does it less than justice: it is much more than an account of how GE got into the civil aero-engine business; partly because of the inter-relationship between the civil and military sectors of the business, and partly because it stems from notes for a US government course for Russian aerospace managers on 'conversion' from their state-run environment to life in the global aerospace market. While inevitably seeing things through GE eyes and displaying justifiable pride in the firm's accomplishments, the author acknowledges the capabilities and contributions of GE's major competitors, Pratt&Whitney and Rolls-Royce. The merits of this book lie in its overall perspective and discussion of business issues, and on this basis can be recommended not only to the engine community but more widely to those involved with aerospace generally. Unfortunately it also contains a number of factual inaccuracies, mostly of a fairly minor nature, and some debatable interpretations of the stances adopted by other firms and governments. However, these do not detract significantly from the value of its discussion of business issues. The book provides a thought-provoking perspective to new industry entrants and MBA students; it should certainly be read by civil servants and politicians with responsibility for aeronautics.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Story, November 12, 2001

By 

Ralph Schwegman (Schenectady, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Starting Something Big: The Commercial Emergence of GE Aircraft Engines (Library of Flight Series) (Paperback)

Ralph Schwegman writes: "Your book is great - I enjoyed it from start to finish. I'll set it aside for a few days, then read it again." He adds, "Another great book would be your autobiaography - you must have had a fabulous life."

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well-written and full of historically important information., August 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Starting Something Big: The Commercial Emergence of GE Aircraft Engines (Library of Flight Series) (Paperback)

It's a very good book, well-written and full of information and good insights. I really enjoyed it. It reveals GE as a quintessentially American company - quality, integrity, service - and assertiveness. I understand why he says it was a blast working there. Thanks very much for writing it.