Valet Reader

I like airports. I like airplanes. Do you like airports? Do you like airplanes? (Don’t worry this is not a Dr. Seuss themed post, but come to think of it, you may see something like that in the future.)

I’ve had this book on my list to read ever since I visited William Stout Architecture Books a while back. It’s a bizarre choice, I know. I guess it was something in the title that encouraged me to pick it up, you know two things I like “naked” and “airport” (if you didn’t know I like the word or the implications of the word “naked” now you do).

Ok, this book is actually not about airports at all. Ha, got ya. Of course it is! Not only is it about airports it also dives into a bit of the history of flight, airlines, routes and pretty much everything related to aviation. Personally, I was kind of hoping the book really would just stick to airports, even though that wasn’t the case I did still find it incredibly interesting.

I really do like airports. I know some people dread them but honestly, I know of no other place for better people watching. You get all types of people in one place. The wayward traveler, the businessman, the family (with mother dragging small child), the geriatric, the cute brunette (my favorite), the lovers and of course the distressed. Take for example my most recent trip the airport this past Sunday. While waiting in the security line at Lindbergh Field (San Diego) I nearly saw a fight break out when a woman tried to cut in line. Whether or not she really did try to cut I don’t know but the verbal battle was pretty entertaining. It was really just a lot of huffing and puffing but I couldn’t help but chuckle a little as I observed this going on. Airports are truly one place where you can see it all.

Alright, on to the book. Because Mr. Gordon sums up exactly what the book is about so eloquently I’ve decided to just quote the man directly. “This book traces the [airport] history through mutations of technology, design, and marketing – showing how the airport gradually shaped into a new kind of human environment, while, in turn, shaping the rest of the modern world.” Pretty concise isn’t it? The Book itself is broken into distinct time periods which makes sense given the dramatic changes the world saw in the 20th century.

As far as “reviewing” this book goes I’m kind of befuddled cause I don’t really know how to do it. I mean, I learned quite a bit about the influences and such that went into and go into airports but it’s pretty tough to recreate that and explain it to you here. So instead of doing a “traditional” review that’s all your getting. Too bad, so sad.

Oh, I will actually end with one last idea projected in the book that I had not thought of prior to reading this but am in full agreeance with. The fact of the matter is that airports have lost their romantic appeal. What were once a place full of romantic ideas and ideals have quickly turned into giant shopping malls with airplanes. Is it because we are such consumerists that we have to be surrounded by things we can buy all the time? Or is it simply because people know that anytime you have thousands and thousands of people in one place everyday that peddling your wares will be a smart move? Whatever it may be, I’m pretty tired of it. I wish we could get back to the time where airports weren’t shopping malls and were instead jumping points for great adventures.