An American Saga - Juan Trippe and his Pan Am Empire Kindle Edition

I got this book after a search of information on the old clippers that were dominated by PanAm. This book seemed like it was a good read.It is. The book, written 35 years ago, is an excellent source on the foundations of PanAm and how Juan Trippe did something that has unfortunately been forgotten lately that contributed mightily to the expansion of American soft power. This man set his mind on a goal and was able to achieve it and in the course of those actions did so much for aviation, and the expansion of America overseas. It is largely forgotten now, but Pan Am became a de facto tool of expanding American interests throughout the Pacific, and also through Europe.This is a fascinating study of this great American businessman, and well worth reading if you have an interest. Of course, in 1980 PanAm was a indispensable part of the American landscape, but within 11 years the mighty airline was gone. The fall is just a jaw dropping fact, but given deregulation, Trippe's retirement and the change nature of both American soft power and changing travel habits, made PanAm's fall almost the fate of the gods.If the book has a weakness, it is only because it was primarily written before the Persian Gulf War so the downfall is an epilogue. But, the book certainly give the extent of the rise and fall. It is an amazing story.Great book.

Robert Daley is a superb author and his scholarship in researching this fascinating book verges on the incredible. He also has a personal touch many historians withhold. Most importantly he is even handed, recognising Trippe's genius without being blinded to the faults all genius's have.The story behind Pan Am and how Trippe played Government interests against plane builders and vice versa is a huge challenge for any writer but Daley not only masters it in great detail but makes it a top book from a human interest and written viewpoint. I read this after reading Robert Gandt's China Clippers and they are a magnificent "one two" on the life of Trippe a man who rates alongside all the great sailors and discoverers of past centuries. A classic

If you enjoy history and analyzing the relationship between our contemporary life based upon that history - this is a book for you. It is a fascinating read of how the world was opened to international travel and thereby, to international trade, communications and politics. Hope to read it again in a year or two. Some books are to be reread and savored. This is one.

This was the first...of four ....books I have read about Pan Am.It is well written, easy to read, and is a real page turner. I could not put it down.If you are into air travel you will love this book. It started me on a quest to read more about Pan Am. There are many books out there about this subject. This is the book to start off with.The next book I read was The Long Way Home. It is a documentary about the Pan Am Flight that was stuck in the South pacific on Dec. 6 1941.Then the Pan Am Journey....which was much like An American Saga...but a little more detail.

My Dad worked for Pan American for many years. We never talked much about his experiences before he passed away (including his experiences working for Pan Am in Honolulu during the Pearl Harbor attack). So, a friend of mine sent me this book and it was a real revelation. Pan American was indeed a world leader in long distance air travel - especially the long distance travel over the vast oceans. Pan American also played a key role during WWII, which very few people know about. A good read and a well-written book. I recommend it.

Good overview of the early history of PanAm and Juan Trippe. Entertaining writing style and pace. Easy to read. Not extremely detailed (like Caro biography of LBJ), but provides enough background to justify the points presented. Focus greater on early years than later.

Juan Trippe was Pan Am and Pan Am was Juan Trippe. This book tells tells the story of both. It is also, to a lesser extent the history of American and internet aviation.Both story and writing are totally engrossing.I gave it 5 stars without any hesitation or reservations at all.

A well written, interesting and educational book. From it I learned the immense positive impact of Juan Trippe and Pan Am on the development of commercial aviation in the USA and the world. Some of the anecdotes on the early flights are truly amazing stories of courage, skill and ingenuity. For example hacking an escape runway for a downed bomber out of dense jungle many miles from any civilization, repairing a flying boat in midair, escaping from Pearl Harbor by flying around the world unprepared.And how a true entrepreneur can build a up huge business from scratch by ingenuity, risk taking and great negotiating skills.A great read.

The best thing about this book is that it was written at a time when first hand witnesses of those historic times (including Juan Trippe) could still be reached and interviewed. In that respect it is a really unique book, one to grow in importance as more years go by. As regarding Pan Am's history, it is told more from the organisational, political, and business point of view than the mere aviation/action one and that makes it at times a little slow reading. But there's plenty of aviation stories and action too, and plenty of leads to follow somewhere else if one's interested.

The story of Juan Trippe and the airline empire he built is a great story... and Robert Daley tells it really well. I thoroughly enjoyed this book & would recommend it.

Excellent story regarding the early days of aviation - an enjoyable read. Tripp laid out the best routes to Europe & Asia that, in my opinion, greatly he;ped the US in WW II

A truly remarkable story about one of the pioneers of aviation. Anyone with an interest in aviation should read this book.

I recommend this book to relational person for aviation. It is legend of early american avionic history.