Pan Am: An Aviation Legend

by Barnaby Conrad III

In Pan Am: An Aviation Legend, author Barnaby Conrad III celebrates the spirit that launched the world's most famous commercial airline, Pan American World Airways. Filled with stunning photographs, this book evokes the golden age of air travel, when boarding a Pan Am Clipper bound for Pago Pago or Macao meant an adventurous journey in unprecedented style. Historical narrative in Pan Am blends seamlessly with images of everything from cabin interiors and in-flight shots of Pan Am's famous "Clipper" aircraft to colorful ads, art deco brochures and cutaway drawings of luxurious airplanes. Barnaby Conrad also brings to life the saga of company founder Juan Trippe and those who helped create Pan Am's image as "the world's most experienced airline".After Pan American's first commercial flight, from Key West to Havana in 1927, airline visionary Trippe teamed up with aviation legend Charles Lindbergh to pioneer routes into the Caribbean and South America. Enlisting early aircraft builders Sikorsky, Martin, and Boeing, Pan Am developed planes that would finally conquer the vast Pacific and Atlantic oceans, breaking down the boundaries that had separated peoples and cultures. "Some day", wrote Clare Boothe Luce in 1941, "a Clipper flight will be remembered as the most romantic voyage in history". This book gets to the heart of Clare Boothe Luce's observation, offering a pictorial history of American enterprise that will delight general readers, aviation fans, and even art deco aficionados.

In Pan Am, we see cheering crowds greet Trippe and Lindbergh as they visit Caribbean islands and South American outposts. Actors, authors, musicians and other celebrities wave to the camera as they stepout of Pan Am airplanes and onto the tarmac. Pan Am crews performed heroically - and their planes reliably - during World War II.

Although Pan American World Airways ceased flying in 1991, its photographic history stirs the imagination of the air traveler just as images of the Orient Express and the Titanic intrigue railroad and ocean-liner buffs. With more than 240 illustrations and a vivid text, Pan Am honors Pan American's golden era in an unforgettable manner.

Genres: Aviation, History

208 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2000

About the author

Barnaby Conrad III is an American author, artist, and editor.

NB: Son of writer/bullfighter/raconteur Barnaby Conrad.

Reviews

[Marie Polega · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book, especially all of the pictures. I thought it was a really interesting look into the history of Pan Am, and it left me wanting more.

[Richard ZZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pan Am Airlines in the 1990s of the last century after the birth of young people is a very strange brand. The first time I knew about the airline was when I watched the movie "Catch Me If You Can" (Spielberg, 2002) starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks in 2003. When I watched the film, the Pan Am Airlines cabin facilities and services were attractive for me, that is why I became interested.
We all know that airlines nowadays have economy class seats that are small and cramped, while Pan Am Airlines in the past provide five-star hotel service which is really incredible. It offers spacious and comfortable seating, fine dining, and luxurious cruise air services.
So when I saw the book “Pan Am: An Aviation Legend” (Conrad III, 2014) I did not hesitate to take it home to read, and then the book was really wonderful, it did not let me down. It uses a large number of documentary pictures, accompanied by a detailed explanation of the objective and true evolution of Pan Am Airlines. It also talks about how to promote the development of the aviation industry through cross-Pacific routes and transatlantic route cases; and the collapse of Pan Am Airlines. This book gives me a detailed understanding of the history of Pan American Airlines, which is very useful for me, because I want to learn about being a civil aviation professional.
If you like civil aviation related information or want to understand Pan Am Airlines brand, you must not miss this book. This is a very good reading book, it gives you a taste of the aviation industry legend.

[Jose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have both versions of this large coffee-table book, the first edition different publisher has a dustjacket and the subsequent edition which comes minus the dustjacket and is a leather-like book hardcover, both same size, same exact writing inside everything except the publisher and year and covers. I got both because I really like the Pan-Am Blue logo and the first edition as a Flying Boat on it. superbly written works, nicely illustrated and good sized hardcovers. I managed to snag a copy of each for under one-hundred. The first edition for 20 something the blue for 60 something, You can have both or either or I highly recommend it. Really nice book(s) despite not being comprehensive on Pan-American it is is great reading.

[Jason Robinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A colorful salute to the dearly departed Pan American World Airways. Very good nostalgic photos with informative historical text.

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely coffee-table type book (lots of beautiful pictures). It provides a nice introduction to and overview of the history of Pan Am.