Rating: 
Summary: Excellent technically, lacks a bit character-wise
Review: A pilot with whom I flew nearly five-days-a-week for months recommended this to me. Though I'm familiar with the ATC system on the radios, especially at O'Hare and Midway, I was largely unfamiliar with the inner-workings of the system. This book offers an exhaustive peek behind the scenes at TRACON Chicago. I mistakingly assumed that the author was either a current or former controller himself. Only after reading the book and discovering a blurb in the back did I discover that Paul McElroy is a print journalist. He certainly did his research homework regarding the technical aspects of this novel, both with ATC and the workings of the media. Being a Chicago native, he also utilized his knowledge of the area to convey a very authentic feel. My only complaint was that a few of the characters seemed a bit thin in spots, but complaining about character development in a thiller of this caliber seems petty. A riveting read.
Rating:
Summary: Good reading, especially for us pilots.
Review: Accurate depiction of air traffic control at it's busiest. I enjoyed the story very much, McElroy keeps the pace quick throughout. As a pilot I appreciated the attention to detail.
Rating:
Summary: TRACON
Review: An engrossing novel with frightening realism. I enjoyed it immensely and found it difficult to put down. I'm looking forward to Paul McElroy's next one.
Rating: 
Summary: Should be a movie
Review: An entertaining, thrilling, and enlightening novel. I beleive that this is not only a fun book to read, but because of its educational qualities it should be read by anyone who plans to take to the freindly skies! It is my hope that it will be made into a movie so that it's message will be accessible to more people. (what a gift Mr. McElroy has to be able to entertain while he teaches; a rare talent!)
Rating:
Summary: Should be a movie
Review: An entertaining, thrilling, and enlightening novel. I beleive that this is not only a fun book to read, but because of its educational qualities it should be read by anyone who plans to take to the freindly skies! It is my hope that it will be made into a movie so that it's message will be accessible to more people. (what a gift Mr. McElroy has to be able to entertain while he teaches; a rare talent!)
Rating:
Summary: Holy moley!
Review: As a female-type person I thought, whoppee, a techno-thriller. But, wait! There's more! Much more. Yes, yes, it's about death in the sky -- everybody's greatest fear. But there's also a pretty captivating plot going on down on planet Earth, too. Steamy, you might say. AND, girl or no, you got planes smashing into each other over one of our Great Lakes and body bits dropping like pidgeon poop, you got a plot that won't let go. Really. Trust me. You'll be thrilled. Good for the beach. Um, probably don't want to read on a plane trip. Save for beach.
Rating:
Summary: The best depiction of ATC I've seen!!
Review: As an air traffic controller who has worked in a Tracon for the last 12 years I find this book to be the most realistic portrayal of the business that I have ever read. This man has done his homework!! I could not find a single fault in his technological account of ATC! Reading the book during my breaks at work was like being in two dimensions. It was as if he was sitting in the room with me as I worked. He got it right from the inane comments to the adrenaline rush of an arrival push!! I'll be pushing this book on all my family and friends who just can't seem to understand what it is that I do all day. This book put the movie "Pushing Tin" to shame!!
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely excellent...had emotional chills reading it!
Review: As an FAA'er for 33 years, 8 of them at O'Hare, TRACON is first rate in depicting ATC, and much of FAA, as it really is. While reading it, I was in the driver's seat, seeing clearly the activities and events as they were unfolding, realizing every bit of it could be (or occasionally has been) absolutly true. For you aviators and other controllers out there, this is a must read. For you non-aviation experienced readers it is as equally outstanding as a fictional thriller. The characters are strong and relationships real. You will finish the book not only having been totally entertained, but also having been treated to a very accurate look at the very unfamilar, and frequently very misrepresented, world of air traffic control.
Rating:
Summary: Deja Vu?
Review: As one of the 13,000 fired PATCO controllers from 1981, I know a bit about the air traffic control business. For a piece of fiction, TRACON is probably the most technically-realistic book I have ever read on the subject. It's amazing how Paul could capture the essence of this business so vividly. Combined with plenty of suspense and a tad of romance, this book points out that FAA procurement and management problems which resulted in the 1981 strike continue to exist, today.
Rating:
Summary: Slow starting but got going later...good read
Review: As one who works at FAA HQ in Washington, I found many of the situations and their descriptions very accurate...especially of management and their decisionmaking. The book seemed to start slowly, but once I got into it (around ch.8), it picked up in intensity and drive, and I then I had a hard time putting it down. Having never worked in the FAA regions, I really liked seeing the day-to-day action, and it backed up my amazement that controllers literally keep tens of thousands of aircraft in the air safely 24/7 all year-round. Good book, especially for someone who has never sat in front of a console.
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