Runway Zero-Eight

I have been a fan of Arthur Hailey since reading HOTEL back in the 1960s, now having almost all his work in hardcover editions. While at Goodwill, my favorite low price bookstore, I came upon a hardcover copy of RUNWAY ZERO-EIGHT for only a minor amount of money, how could I lose. Turns out this is one of the better books I've had the pleasure to read in quite awhile. It is a story of suspense it is true, but it is more so a story of people and their ability to work together during a crisis of massive proportion. Even after 50 years this book is one that not only offers truisms but also offers great reading enjoyment. Reading this book, which can be done in a few hours time, will prompt me to now turn to AIRPORT for another reading. Though Mr. Hailey is gone from us he has left us many enjoyable books to re-read and enjoy. One caution: I would not start reading this book unless I had the time to read it in one sitting, it is that type of book that one will not want to put down. As stated, an average reader can read through this one in only a few hour's time. But the enjoyment will last much longer. Semper Fi.

The headline says it all. I don't have to repeat myself. The book's about food poisoning on a cross-country flight. Thepilot and copilot, and most of the passengers, are affectedby food poisoning. The flight crew and the passengers affected by it had ordered the beef. The rest ordered chicken. One of the passengers was a pilot in the war. Hehas to take over when the pilot becomes incapacitated. When the copilot becomes ill, the head stewardess, yes, that's what they were called in the days before political correctness, has to take over for him. However, the passenger who takes over for the pilot, hasn't flown in years and has to be talked through it by another pilot on the ground. Another review compared it to Airplane! Airplane! was a spoof of those '70s disaster movies. It wasn't based on this book.

Runway Zero-Eight is the epitome of the page-turner. A very fun read that set the stage for Hailey's later successes.The only problem is that it's hard to read today without thinking of the movie "Airplane!"; this book was one of the primary sources of inspiration for that parody, and at key moments in the drama of "Runway Zero-Eight" you may find yourself being reminded of one of the absurdly silly scenes in the movie. Just suppress those thoughts and enjoy the story.

If you can get a copy of this you had better get it! If you like edge of your seat can't put it down type of reading this is it. It keeps you wanting more and keeps giving you more.

I like airplane novels but this is the best I have read so far! It is laid out to meticulous detail and never for a moment lets down the reader. You can almost feel the cockpit in front of you as turn the pages. Great edge-of-the-seat action with a wonderfully orchestrated climax!!!