Splash of Colors: The Self-Destruction of Braniff International

by John J. Nance

Nance, John J.

Genres: Nonfiction, Aviation

426 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 1984

About the author

John J. Nance is an American pilot, aviation safety expert, and author. He served in the USAF during the Vietnam War and also as a Lt. Colonel in Operation Desert Storm.

Reviews

[Edward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Braniff is one of the touchstones for any modern airline nut. Even 25 years later, its impact is still felt in the passenger airline world and some veterans can still be found in the ranks of various airlines. I worked for one during a college internship at Southwest.

Nance's book is a very thorough history of the company and especially it's implosion in 1982. I recommend it to any aviation aficionado but it is slanted very heavily towards the management theories and analysis surrounding the end of the company. I suppose management theory students would enjoy it but perhaps the lessons are too dated; I wouldn't know.

Even today, most major airlines are dominated by their leaders. Unlike other major corporations where the leadership is faceless and removed, airlines tend to still have a culture where every employee knows the President's name. The closest they may ever come is to curse these individuals for the latest problem but at least they have a name to blaspheme.

Braniff was a major player in the days when Big Men ran every single airline as absolute monarchs. Its story is one every airline employee should know, if only as a warning. Aside from the heavy emphasis on management theory, my only complaint is that Splash of Colors badly needs a second edition with another chapter. 1984 was too early to write the full history. Braniff was the first carrier that had been around since the Air Mail days to vanish suddenly, but it was by far not the last.

[Peggy Cole · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author, a former Braniff pilot, shares his insight into the idiosyncrasies of executive management and the dysfunctional strategies that thwarted business improvement for the airline. Finger pointing, blame assignment and tantrums by upper management mark the pace of the book which reveals a variety of observations on what killed this once super successful business. Reading the book is like being a fly on the wall in tension-riddled meetings that characterized management strategy.

As a former employee, I was eager to learn the behind-the-scenes reasons for the company's failure. Find photos and more information on my personal blog, In the World.
https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blo...

[Betsy · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many emotions resurfaced when I read this book. I worked for Braniff in the Reservations area (mostly in Dallas) from 1974 to their demise in 1982. I will always have such fond memories of that time. So many great friendships, wonderful trips, and fun times.
I have to give kudos to John Nance, the author, for the incredible amount of time he spent on research, interviews, and writing this sad tale as well as being so thorough in making sure he reported the facts.
As I made my way through it, I would go from remembering the fun parts, then feeling frustrated as things got tough, then angry at so many turning points that could have and should have been handled differently by the powers-to-be, and lastly, sad that it all came to an abrupt halt.
I went on to have an awesome career with another great company but I will forever view those years at Braniff as among some of the best in my life.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

very insightful and engaging account of the airline. i think that it gave a brief history but mainly focused on the time when harding lawrence was president from the mid 60's to the bankruptcy. its very much a business book in that you see the business decisions (good and bad) that led to its folding but you also get a look at its day to day operations and the relationships between the personel. hindsight is very frustrating looking at all of the events now because they were such a cool airline and the bankruptcy didnt have to happen. my grandpa flew for braniff and misses it to this day.

[Greg · Rating 1 out of 5]

Long winded and poorly written, if the author had 1 item on his Christmas wish list it should be this. Oh please Santa, bring me an editor. If you are looking for an engaging tale of Braniff's colorful history, look elsewhere. It was all I could do to finish this book. Does anyone remember "The Gong Show" where the 3 judges are a cat's whisker from team gonging the contestant?

[Reid Corcoran · Rating 5 out of 5]

A storm, a plan, an incredible day under threatening skies at DFW !!!

[Wayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thinking of starting an airline? Read this first!

[Mike Eden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and accurate.