Secrets From The Tower: An O'Hare Air Traffic Controller's Personal Stories of Life and Aviation

by Bob Richards

Secrets from the Tower A Powerful, rare and original look into the important world of a Chicago O'Hare air traffic controller Secrets from the Tower is a terrific, thrilling, well-written, funny read, for its fascinating glimpse behind the scenes of an air traffic control tower, and will be enjoyable for anyone who's ever traveled by air. It's entertaining for its anecdotes, informative about air traffic, and also poignant, in terms of the life lessons the book delivers, and its tales of love and loss. Secrets from the Tower by Author Bob Richards gives the reader an inside look at the life of an air traffic controller at one of the world's busiest airports. Thousands of people travel via air every day and give little thought to what is happening behind the scenes. Secrets from the Tower brings the reader close personal to the action that. Bob Richards has written an exciting, captivating, and sometimes heart-breaking, true story of a fledgling air traffic controller becoming one of the most experienced in the industry. Secrets from the Tower details not only the fast-paced, high-pressure life of an air traffic controller but also how that lifestyle affects a man and his family. Secrets from the Tower is a must read for travelers, aviation buffs, and autobiography lovers alike. Secrets from the Tower is witty and heart-wrenching, fast-paced.

380 pages, Paperback

First published July 16, 2007

Reviews

[Mitch Peterson]

A few good stories throughout, but even as a controller myself, there were some long and often boring parts. Not really that many "secrets" either; primarily just a lot of sad stories about the author's life or quirky incidents that clearly have some creative liberty added.

[Amy]

I found out about this book when the author was interviewed on local TV and was a pretty cool guy. I liked the book quite a bit, but you've definitely got to be an aviation geek to find the quirks of air traffic control funny (honest, they're hilarious). The writing is a bit uneven, but that's a common glitch in a first book

[barry]

this boook was awful. the author, who was a scab, got his job after reagan fired the air traffic controllers in 1981, talked more about himself thaen what an air traffic controller does.

[Osiris]

Very insightful into what air traffic control used to be before the new regulations began. This book gives great insight into this under-appreciated profession.

[Kay Owen]

Enjoyed the book immensely. A wonderful inside look at the activity and lives of Air Traffic Controllers.

[Marc]

It was a very informative book that I will read several times.

[Zachary Rilling]

As an Air Traffic major, I really enjoyed many of the stories that he had to offer. Some of them had me in tears because I was laughing so hard.