Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of Airframe

Airframe
Airframe
Author: Michael Crichton
ISBN-13: 9780345402875
ISBN-10: 0345402871
Publication Date: 9/28/1997
Pages: 448
Rating:
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 504

3.6 stars, based on 504 ratings
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

92 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed Airframe on
Helpful Score: 4
Read this on an airplane and, though it is about a deadly in-flight incident, the detailed explanations of how planes work made me feel much better about flying. It's also highly entertaining and a quick read.
Havana-Bill avatar reviewed Airframe on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
A truly superb book. This book was written by a man but it truly belongs to the genre of chic lit. The heroine in the story is an executive of an aircraft manufacturer that must overcome gender bias and because of her gender is being framed and being made the scapegoat for the problems of the company. She must single handedly save her company while overcoming the pitfalls that have been placed in her way.
reviewed Airframe on + 20 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Fiction, Engineering, and Airplanes.

Another book I liked enough to buy 2 copies of. Maybe not the best book to read while on a cross-country flight, but I did.

A story of one woman's fight to keep a plane from being grounded due to an odd turbulence problem. She's not the pilot, she works for the company that made the plane, and is trying to find out what really happened to the plane before it landed with seriously injured (and a few dead) passengers and crew.

Engineering detective-work at its best.
reviewed Airframe on + 10 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
The suspense that builds in this book is great. And then the finish is surprising and a little unexpected, at least how I thought it would turn out anyway.
reviewed Airframe on + 16 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
I still have yet to read a poor Crichton novel. This was one of his best. Some parts were a bit slow at times but they sped up with fast-paced action and new twists and turns around every corner.
reviewed Airframe on + 23 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This is the story of a lethal mid-air disaster aboard a commercial twin-yet airliner bound from Hong Kong to Denver which triggers a frantic investigation.
reviewed Airframe on + 377 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
First book I have read of this author. I am sure there will be more. Might change my mind about flying though!!
reviewed Airframe on + 73 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Love this one!
reviewed Airframe on + 50 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Investigation of a tragic mishap in the air. Crichton at his finest, a real page turner
reviewed Airframe on + 203 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
As fresh today as when it was published in 1996. Many pertinent observations about the American air safety system. As well as a compelling story.
dragonflies avatar reviewed Airframe on + 66 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Typical rock of a ride from Crichton! Great read.
reviewed Airframe on + 84 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Super suspense story! A mid-air disaster! What was the cause?
reviewed Airframe on + 2 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Great book. Crichton is possibly one of the greatest authors of our time, in my opinion. He's definitely one of my favorites. This book is suspenseful and an excellent piece of literature.
reviewed Airframe on
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent book! Suspenseful!! Learned a lot about the airline industry!
algernon99 avatar reviewed Airframe on + 418 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I was not very fond of this one. Crichton is certainly an excellent author, but this is not his best work, in my opinion. There was some interesting stuff about how aircraft are designed, built, and tested, but I tire of plots based on corporate greed.
reviewed Airframe on + 9 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
exciting, technically accurate and a bravo for Crichton!
reviewed Airframe on + 372 more book reviews
Good one. Kept ending till end, and it ended well. Airplane has major air event, solved at the end as pilot error
reviewed Airframe on + 4 more book reviews
This was my first Michael Crichton read and it kept me on the edge of my seat!
reviewed Airframe on + 13 more book reviews
Great Book
reviewed Airframe on + 11 more book reviews
Very interesting book. Lots of information about planes. As usual Crichton delivers.
reviewed Airframe on + 107 more book reviews
Such a great book! The airplane technology information got to be a little overwhelming in places, but overall it was a great, suspenseful read! I highly recommend it!
sjb-in-id avatar reviewed Airframe on + 12 more book reviews
In well-known Crichton form, this is a definite page-turner. You may not want to read it if you will be flying soon, though!
reviewed Airframe on + 2 more book reviews
I enjoyed this book. It was very interesting, but a little anti-climactic.
Puddnp avatar reviewed Airframe on + 111 more book reviews
Not for the person who fears a little airpocket while in flight! You will read this and forever feel differently about air travel.
reviewed Airframe on
It wasn't one of his better books, but okay.
reviewed Airframe on + 23 more book reviews
A typical Crichteon book of intrigue and loads of information. A quick read. No real deep character development and the plot is quickly apparent. Fun for a summer sit out in the sun read.
chesse avatar reviewed Airframe on + 135 more book reviews
Great read, could be from news
reviewed Airframe on + 54 more book reviews
Suspenseful throughout the book -- one of his best so far. Will make you want to just sit and read the whole thing at one time -- I did.
classycat avatar reviewed Airframe on + 3 more book reviews
"Disclosure" meets an aircraft manual. A great story of intrigue and the political machinations within an aircraft construction company. Not only entertaining, but the reader comes away with a whole new understanding of the physical construction of commercial aircraft!
reviewed Airframe on
really enjoyed it, kept me in suspense till the end.
grandmalydia avatar reviewed Airframe on + 7 more book reviews
too technical, more of a man's book
Readnmachine avatar reviewed Airframe on + 1474 more book reviews
Compelling and fast-moving tale of the aftermath of a fictional in-flight incident that left passengers dead and injured. Crichton tackles corporate infighting and infotainment "news" for the zing and supports it with the nuts and bolts description of the internal investigation by the plane's manufacturer.
reviewed Airframe on + 436 more book reviews
good suspense/intrigue story
reviewed Airframe on + 7 more book reviews
Another excellent novel. Wonderful characters and tense story lines make this a real page turner.
bluesbaby avatar reviewed Airframe on + 9 more book reviews
When an airplane makes an emergency landing at the Los Angeles airport, the jet's manufacturer gives a young woman named Casey the task of discovering what went wrong. Was it a manufacturing defect, mechanical trouble, or an inept terrorist attack? Casey must find answers while fending off an ambitious journalist who wants to make the story of flight 545 her big one--even at the expense of the facts.
butchsmom avatar reviewed Airframe on + 23 more book reviews
I loved this book, it took me less than 2 days to read. It was very interesting, full of seemingly technical facts, yet it was so easy and enjoyable to read.
Chlorene avatar reviewed Airframe on + 34 more book reviews
This is a great book, hard to put down.
reviewed Airframe on + 124 more book reviews
Great read! You would have never guessed the ending!
reviewed Airframe on + 38 more book reviews
vERY GOOD READ,HARD TO PUT DOWN..YOU CAN'T WAIT TO FIND OUT
reviewed Airframe on + 314 more book reviews
This book gets a little tecnical about the way airplanes are made and what happens to the plane after an accident.A pilot calls for an emergency air land and 40 ambulances.What happened inside that plane and why.
reviewed Airframe on + 23 more book reviews
The paceing is fast, the suspense nonstop.
-People
reviewed Airframe on + 47 more book reviews
Three passengers are dead. Fifty-six are injured. The interior cabin virtually destroyed. But the pilot manages to land the plane. . . .

At a moment when the issue of safety and death in the skies is paramount in the public mind, a lethal midair disaster aboard a commercial twin-jet airliner bound from Hong Kong to Denver triggers a pressured and frantic investigation.

AIRFRAME is nonstop reading: the extraordinary mixture of super suspense and authentic information on a subject of compelling interest that has been a Crichton landmark since The Andromeda Strain.

review from randomhouse.com

i really liked this one
reviewed Airframe on + 33 more book reviews
This is a well written story about an aircraft accident and the subsequent investigation. It does a good job of describing the aircraft industry and the sensationalism of the media. Very suspenseful.
reviewed Airframe on + 7 more book reviews
My favorite Mike Crichton book. A vice president of a major aircraft manufacturer deals with potential flack from the press when one of their planes is involved in an "incident"... recommended!
Smokey avatar reviewed Airframe on + 265 more book reviews
A gripping, compelling novel, which will be hard to put down once you get started. A white-knuckle read, suspenseful story about death in the sky, in a commercial jet airliner bound from Hong Kong to Denver.
reviewed Airframe on + 3 more book reviews
Excellent read!
reviewed Airframe on + 25 more book reviews
A great new book from a master. May make you not trust getting onto an airplane ever again.
katethegreat avatar reviewed Airframe on + 69 more book reviews
I was surprised that I liked this. It is suspenseful and gives you just enough clues to think that you know what is going on.
reviewed Airframe on + 15 more book reviews
Good, interesting book.
reviewed Airframe on + 23 more book reviews
Couldn't put the book down! Well worth the read...
reviewed Airframe on + 56 more book reviews
Not my favorite Crichton book. A very technical book - not for reading while on a plane!
maggieminnich avatar reviewed Airframe on + 400 more book reviews
This was an interesting read in how the accident happened and how they went about finding the cause. The characters were well developed and interacted appropriately; however, I do wish this particular audio wasn't abridged. Still a great read during driving in rush hour to/from work.
LazerFlash avatar reviewed Airframe on + 41 more book reviews
Not Crichton's best, but far from his worst!
paigu avatar reviewed Airframe on + 120 more book reviews
Another great thriller from Crichton. Perfect beach reading.
Bossmare avatar reviewed Airframe on + 306 more book reviews
Though a bit dated this was quite an exciting read. I was wondering if the accident was some kind of alien thing or what. When I found out what it was I was a bit disappointed but all in all a good book.
hollielazor avatar reviewed Airframe on + 83 more book reviews
Three passengers are dead. Fifty-six are injured. The interior cabin virtually destroyed. But the pilot manages to land the plane...
At a moment when the issue of safety and death in the skies is paramount in the public mind, a lethal mid-air disaster aboard a commercial twinjet airliner bound from Hong Kong to Denver triggers a pressured and frantic investigation. This book is non stop reading, full of suspense and compelling interest in the mystery.
Paul-RLT avatar reviewed Airframe on + 176 more book reviews
This novel revealed many interesting facts re: planes, carriers, and politics (in the airline industry). The plot was plausible and suspenseful. The main characters were well drawn and believable. Overall,this book represents a solid effort and is well worth reading.
reviewed Airframe on + 100 more book reviews
From back of book: Three passengers are dead. Fifty-six are injured. The interior cabin virtually destroyed. But the pilot manages to land the plane At a moment when the issue of safety and death in the skies is paramount in the public mind, a lethal midair disaster aboard a commercial twin-jet airliner bound from Hong Kong to Denver triggers a pressured and frantic investigation. AIRFRAME is nonstop reading: the extraordinary mixture of super suspense and authentic information on a subject of compelling interest that has been a Crichton landmark since The Andromeda Strain.
reviewed Airframe on
Incredible as it sounds, it actually moved quickly.
paxtonholley avatar reviewed Airframe on + 67 more book reviews
One of Crichton's best. Follows an investigative team through the aftermath of a plane crash. Phenomenal read.
Lazeeladee avatar reviewed Airframe on + 87 more book reviews
My husband just read this, and said it was hard to put down!
Mel avatar reviewed Airframe on + 186 more book reviews
This was highly enjoyable! I loved it! I have to say that I enjoyed reading it so much that I suggested my blind husband Don get the audio from the govenment library.
reviewed Airframe on + 15 more book reviews
I was actually disappointed with this one. It was extremely slow at points and the plot was very see-through. Not up to his usual work.
reviewed Airframe on + 2 more book reviews
Excellent and intriguing
Pattakins avatar reviewed Airframe on + 365 more book reviews
I loved this book. But then, I love fiction involving air disasters. And this one fits the bill swimmingly. I read it while on a flight to Chicago. Hmmmm... a little scary...The pilot walked by and asked how I liked it...said he planned on reading it also. Too bad I couldn't finish it before the end of the flight. I would have happily handed it over! Anyway, it's another great Michael Crichton novel.

Cruising 35,000 feet above the earth, a twin-engine commercial jet encounters an accident that leaves 3 dead, 56 wounded, and the cabin in shambles. What happened? With a multi-billion-dollar company-saving deal on the line, Casey Singleton is sent by her hard-driving boss to uncover the mysterious circumstances that led to the disaster before more people die. But someone doesn't want her to find the truth. Airframe bristles with authentic information, technical jargon, and the command of detail Crichton's readers have come to expect. .
reviewed Airframe on + 7 more book reviews
A very interesting book, especially the technical details for anyone interested in this kind of reading.
reviewed Airframe on + 23 more book reviews
Page Turner.. I liked it a lot and I hope you will too.

Synopsis
When an airplane makes an emergency landing at the Los Angeles airport, the jet's manufacturer gives a young woman named Casey the task of discovering what went wrong. Was it a manufacturing defect, mechanical trouble, or an inept terrorist attack? Casey must find answers while fending off an ambitious journalist who wants to make the story of flight 545 her big one--even at the expense of the facts.

Size
Length: 351 pages
Height: 9.8 in.
Width: 6.8 in.
Thickness: 1.5 in.
Weight: 25.6 oz.


Three passengers are dead. Fifty-six are injured. The interior cabin virtually destroyed. But the pilot manages to land the plane. . . . At a moment when the issue of safety and death in the skies is paramount in the public mind, a lethal midair disaster aboard a commercial twin-jet airliner bound from Hong Kong to Denver triggers a pressured and frantic investigation. AIRFRAME is nonstop reading: the extraordinary mixture of super suspense and authentic information on a subject of compelling interest that has been a Crichton landmark since The Andromeda Strain.
reviewed Airframe on + 37 more book reviews
Classic Crichton. Super suspense and authentic information about a midair disaster aboard an airliner.
reviewed Airframe on + 6 more book reviews
I thought the book was so - so, but this genre is not my favorite.
reviewed Airframe on
Terrific book. Frightening to imagine how much of this is true!
Gaddiel avatar reviewed Airframe on + 31 more book reviews
Wasn't really impressed with this book, although it was a fair story. Not one of my favorites from Crichton.
reviewed Airframe on + 25 more book reviews
Another great Michael Crichton book.
reviewed Airframe on + 10 more book reviews
good mystery
reviewed Airframe on + 28 more book reviews
Not for those afraid of flying.. A great suspense story aboard a jet airliner.
thekaps avatar reviewed Airframe on + 6 more book reviews
This book was a little slow for me. Still kept my interest enough to read it until the end but not one of my favorites.
reviewed Airframe on
loved this book, I'm no longer afraid to fly
reviewed Airframe on + 44 more book reviews
For some like Myself that have never read this author I was surprised it won't be the last as, I am glad I chose this author.
bookcrazychick avatar reviewed Airframe on + 76 more book reviews
Great book. Classic Chrichton. It kept me up at night reading.
shelly- avatar reviewed Airframe on
Excellent
reviewed Airframe on + 21 more book reviews
3 passengers are dead. 56 are injured. The interior cabin virtually destroyed. But the pilot manages to land the plane... At a moment when the issue of safety and death in the skies is paramount in the public mind, a lethal midair disaster aboard a coommercial twin-jet airliner bound from Hong Kong to Denver triggers a pressured and frantic investigation.
reviewed Airframe on + 38 more book reviews
This book is very fast paced and packed with a lot of suspense. It is hard to put down. Three passengers are dead. Fifty-six are injured. The interior cabin virtually destroyed. But the pilot manages to land the plane.
4eversunshine avatar reviewed Airframe on + 54 more book reviews
Heart-pounding suspense thriller
reviewed Airframe on + 5 more book reviews
Pretty good book. Really gets you into the nitty gritty of the airline industry.
reviewed Airframe on + 111 more book reviews
Three passengers are dead. Fifty-six are injured. The interior cabin virtually destroyed. But the pilot manges to land the plane...
At a moment when the issue of safety and death in the skies is paramount in the public mind, a lethal mid-air disaster aboard a commercial twin-jet airliner bound from Hong Kong to Denver triggers a pressured and frantic investigation. Airframe is nonstop reading; the extraordinary mixture of super suspense and authentic information on a subject of compelling interest that has been a Crichtom hallmark since the Andromeda Strain
gsisk avatar reviewed Airframe on + 192 more book reviews
Not one of Crichton's best - but still entertaining to read.
reviewed Airframe on + 96 more book reviews
An airplane piloted by an experienced pilot has a misterious mishap in the air. What was the cause of this mishap?
Calliope13 avatar reviewed Airframe on + 98 more book reviews
Three passengers are dead. Fifty-six are injured.
The interior cabin virtually destroyed. But the pilot
manages to land the plane....

At a moment when the issue of safety and death in the skies is paramount in the public mind, a lethal midair disaster aboard a commercial twin-jet airliner from Hong Kong to Denver triggers a pressured and frantic investigation.
reviewed Airframe on + 62 more book reviews
A thrilling story by a master author. This book is about the possibility of a deadly agent on an aircraft.
reviewed Airframe on + 9 more book reviews
this book was given to me...i did not read
reviewed Airframe on + 45 more book reviews
Three passengers are dead. Fifty-six are injured The interion cabin destroyed. But the pilot manages to land the plane.
reviewed Airframe on + 113 more book reviews
from the back: Three passengers are dead. Fifty-six are injured. The interior cabin virtually destroyed. But the pilot manages to land the plane. At a moment when the issue of safety and death in the skies is paramount in the public mind, a lethal midair disaster aboard a commercial twin-jet airliner bound from Hong Kong to Denver triggers a pressured and frantic investigation.
Chitimacha-Princess avatar reviewed Airframe on + 586 more book reviews
Three passengers are dead. Fifty-six are injured. The interior cabin is virtually destroyed. But the pilot manages to land the plane...

At a moment when the issue of safety and death in the skies is paramount in the public mind, a lethal midair disaster abroad a commercial twin-jet airliner bound from Hong Kong to Denver triggers a pressured and frantic investigation.