American Airlines, US Airways and the Creation of the World's Largest Airline

Prior to purchasing the book I looked at the table of contents and was prepared to be disappointed in the book. I was anticipating a book that was more focused on the US/AA merger of the last couple of years.The authors have done an excellent job detailing the history of the various airlines and the dips and turns in the industry setting up this merger. Reading their book I realized they had a better plan to detail the story then my expectations of a book sharply focused on the latest merger. Kudos to them for a job well done.A couple of minor mistakes but they don't change the accuracy of the overall story.With thirty six years in the business, some with Alleghany commuter and AA, as well as growing up in the industry, this is an excellent book. It will be on my Christmas list for family and friends.

Intriguing behind the scenes look on how the labor groups gave up billions to save their companies only to have management pull the rug out from under their feet when it came time for the same labor groups to enjoy the fruits of the merger. The chapters describing the pilot union fiasco was illuminating as it demonstrates how the lack of compromise was detrimental to both pilot groups as a whole. A must read for people to see how labor and management can work together for the betterment of a company and what not to do when merging union seniority lists.

Although slightly obvious that two authors wrote this (i.e. sometimes repetitive concepts and lack of one voice at other times), this book did a really nice job of getting all the facts together and laying them out in a way that is understandable. The detail included in the analysis of the varying dynamics involving labor negotiations really gets into the weeds - which is essential in understanding one of the largest facets (and costs) in the airline industry.

Valuable information for anyone looking to learn about the airline industry and the mergers that got it where it is today.Unfortunately, entire passages are repeated on adjacent pages or even the same page, and some quotes that were probably intended to be witty and insightful just come across as stupid and obvious.Still recommend the book, but the editing makes it frustrating at times.

Excellent book on recapping the former and current leadership of LUS and LAA to present. Great overview of the characters playing important roles in the taking over / merger of US Airways and American Airlines.

Once again Ted Reed nailed it. Not since "Grounded" have I read a better book about the ins and outs of the airline industry. Well done!

This is a story for business people travel professionals and those simply interested to learn about the trials of leadership in an industry hard pressed to please anyone.

Chalk full of FACTUAL inaccuracies. They start with the reader believing that perhaps it was the Publisher's mistake when printing. They ballon into a 9/11/2011 tragedy of a book. Yes, 9/11/2011...because that was "the day" that Don Carty, per the Author's had to deal with the horror besieging the USA & commercial aviation.The Factual errors persist throughout....Stephen Wolf liked fine hotels, such as the 4 Seasons in Crystal City! Well, if the Author's applied any due-diligence, they would've become aware that if Mr. Wolf was frequenting the 4 Seasons hotel in Crystal City...he must have been sleeping on a bench at a metro station, becuase no such hotel exists. THE BEST "mistake" is the CRITICAL SENTENCE in the book that makes the "world" aware that Bob Crandell was asked to return AA...yet the sentence is grammatically botched...and it is "THE" sentence of revelation. If the Author's can't get that sentence right....well best to spend your money at the bar @ the 4 Seasons Crystal City, which since it doesn't exist means...spend your money elsewhere....this book a JOKE.