Book Review : Flight of the Titans

As most of you know am a avid reader and generally post the latest book that am reading and the one i completed on social media . I also publish top ten books that i read during the year at end of every year . However have never attempted to write review of any books that i have read . This is my attempt to venture into that and i intend to write reviews of each of the books am going to read going forward.

The below is review of the latest book i completed . 

Title - Flight of the Titans

ISBN - 9780753513453

Publisher - Virgin Media

Author - Kenny Kemp

First Published - 2006/07

Review

The author of the book Kenny Kemp is a journalist , business writer and author . His book attempts to look at the commercial airline industry, specifically the two large commercial airplane makers Boeing and Airbus .

The book is aptly titled the Flight of the Titans , as most of us are aware that these two behemoths i.e. Airbus & Boeing deliver 90% of the planes that fly in the commercial segment.

Given the complexity of the organizations in question due to political involvement as both Boeing and Airbus are keenly supported by the US and European governments respectively , it is understandable that the author has tried his best to explain the political intervention although he has also tried to keep the political equation simple to understand .

The book specifically focuses on the strategy undertaken by the respective companies. On the one hand he looks at how Boeing is betting on a small point to point 250-300 seater and ultra efficient Boeing 787 as the future. On the other he also looks at Airbus' opposite strategy as they look at the delivering a sucker punch to what is the most known object on the skies i.e. the Boeing 747 by delivering the Airbus A380 which at its peak can have capacity of upto 600 passengers .

In order to discuss the future strategy , its inevitable for the author to get into the roots and history of both the corporations.

Various chapters have been devoted to look at the history of the companies, one cannot miss the fact that the history in the book is overwhelmingly skewed towards Airbus given extensive interviews with Airbus founder Roger Beteille. 

The author enthralls the reader by giving a mix of history and related politics behind the scenes with various degrees in different chapters . To avoid dragging the reader into boredom of history and politics , the author has kept these components very simple and enjoyable to ensure that the book isn't too heavy.

The flow of the book is really nice as each chapters move in logical steps. The author has not limited the book to these two companies but he has also devoted specific chapters to the engine makers i.e. Rollys Royce and the Engine Alliance (GE , Pratt&Whitney alliance), The employees and the sales people . This is key in ensuring that book feels complete to the reader.

It goes without saying that such big organizations and mega projects often have controversies intertwined in their history , author has discussed the Boeing labour union strikes, design issues, infighting , insider trading to name a few to add spice to the book. 

Book has focussed on key areas ,History, strategy , growth markets and expectations, controversies and the future.

It has been written very well and the author has had the lay man in mind while writing it . It is a very enjoyable read and has lots of information .

Given that the book was published in 2006/07 long before either Airbus or Boeing made their deliveries of the planes ts quite commendable that the author has been able to write this book in such vivid style and character .

What i did miss in the book was a chapter devoted to Air shows , as a general public , we tend to see lots of news around these air shows would have been good to have a chapter on this to explain why these take place and what happens here and which are the premier air shows and why. Apart from that it was a very enjoyable read.

As such this is my opinion and you can clearly see that this is my first stab at any book review , please feel free to give your opinion and i'll improve upon this.