Jim, an only child, has always been a restless soul. At the age of six his dad died unexpectedly. He was left in the care of a stern Catholic mother and grandmother at home, and strict nuns at school. His curious, rambunctious nature only seemed to attract criticism. By the time Jim graduated, he had had enough of female authority. Short stints in the Marines and Cincinnati Police only confirmed his yearning for adventure.
Fate intervened when a broken-down car turned into a career with TWA. How could Jim be expected to settle down when his feet never touched the ground? Women, whiskey, and a good tail wind were all he needed to be happy—or so he thought. It was 1964, and being a bachelor in the airline industry provided unlimited freedom. But, was being 37,000 feet above his problems a price too high to pay? Follow Jim on his adventures during the golden age of air travel as he navigates life, work, and love at 550 mph.
This book is a fun read! Once you start the book, you'll find it hard to put down. Jim, the protagonist in the book, is a brash, self-confident, self-described wise guy and ladies' man, who has an extreme fondness for adventure, pranks, and alcohol--and a decided impatience with convential norms and the establishment. The story centers on Jim's early career with the airlines. He thrives on traveling all over the world and on partying when he's not working. The story is peppered by Jim's many sexual escapades, most of which are short-lived. The book is very revealing about what is was like to be a flight crewmember in the 60's and 70's. In his search for meaning and adventure, he finally discovers that he'll be happier leaving the airlines and returning (from southern California) to where he grew up in southwestern Ohio.
