Final Approach

Rating:
Summary: Can anybody fly this thing?
Review: "Final Approach" follows the fictional investigation of an air disaster in Kansas, an idea that promises explosive tension, and then punks out. This is because "Final Approach" is simply an example of the sort of thrillers to be churned out in the information age, where the heroes and villains are just bureaucrats. By the time we've finished "Final Approach", flying remains an experience as alien as when the book opens, but now we've become smarter in the bureaucratci workings of the FAA and NTSB among others, not to mention that the government hides information (huh? ) and that the media will exploit stories for their ratings value rather than invetsigate them (no way! ). Even as a bureaucratic-mystery, "Final Approach" fails. Though the heroes are meant to represent the most efficient resources the government can use to prove the cause of the fatal crash, the solution is not revealed by intelligent ivestigators and dogged investigation, but because somebody just gives up and blabs the truth. The conspiracy theories and hysteria by which the author condescends to non-experts (The media is bad for feeding us stories it can't really stand by, and we're bad for accepting it so easily) make it convenient for his protagonists to look busy, even as they remain oblivious to the truth. Anybody could have solved this mystery.

Rating:
Summary: Can anybody fly this thing?
Review: "Final Approach" follows the fictional investigation of an air disaster in Kansas, an idea that promises explosive tension, and then punks out. This is because "Final Approach" is simply an example of the sort of thrillers to be churned out in the information age, where the heroes and villains are just bureaucrats. By the time we've finished "Final Approach", flying remains an experience as alien as when the book opens, but now we've become smarter in the bureaucratci workings of the FAA and NTSB among others, not to mention that the government hides information (huh? ) and that the media will exploit stories for their ratings value rather than invetsigate them (no way! ). Even as a bureaucratic-mystery, "Final Approach" fails. Though the heroes are meant to represent the most efficient resources the government can use to prove the cause of the fatal crash, the solution is not revealed by intelligent ivestigators and dogged investigation, but because somebody just gives up and blabs the truth. The conspiracy theories and hysteria by which the author condescends to non-experts (The media is bad for feeding us stories it can't really stand by, and we're bad for accepting it so easily) make it convenient for his protagonists to look busy, even as they remain oblivious to the truth. Anybody could have solved this mystery.

Rating:
Summary: Can anybody fly this thing?
Review: "Final Approach" follows the fictional investigation of an air disaster in Kansas, an idea that promises explosive tension, and then punks out. This is because "Final Approach" is simply an example of the sort of thrillers to be churned out in the information age, where the heroes and villains are just bureaucrats. By the time we've finished "Final Approach", flying remains an experience as alien as when the book opens, but now we've become smarter in the bureaucratci workings of the FAA and NTSB among others, not to mention that the government hides information (huh? ) and that the media will exploit stories for their ratings value rather than invetsigate them (no way! ). Even as a bureaucratic-mystery, "Final Approach" fails. Though the heroes are meant to represent the most efficient resources the government can use to prove the cause of the fatal crash, the solution is not revealed by intelligent ivestigators and dogged investigation, but because somebody just gives up and blabs the truth. The conspiracy theories and hysteria by which the author condescends to non-experts (The media is bad for feeding us stories it can't really stand by, and we're bad for accepting it so easily) make it convenient for his protagonists to look busy, even as they remain oblivious to the truth. Anybody could have solved this mystery.

Rating:
Summary: The only reason I read this book to the end was...
Review: ... because I love airplanes. Other than that, a reader with average intelligence will always be two steps ahead of this rather predictable tale. However, Mr. Nance has a lot of insight into how the aviation industry is regulated, and it was a pleasure to read a novel written by somebody knowledgable about the inner workings of the FAA and airlines.

Rating:
Summary: Final Approach- by John J. Nance
Review: After reading Nance's thrillers, such as Pandora's Clock and Medusa's Child, this book was a major dissapointment when I finally forced myself to read it. It started out excellent, with a very good crash scene. However, by the middle, continuing through the end, no action occured at all. It is a book that can educate you on the inside of the FAA, NTSB, and airline industries, but if you want action, this book will leave you feeling deflated.

Rating:
Summary: Read this one before Nance's "Pandora's Clock"
Review: Author Nance is a well-seasoned commercial aviator. He also writes a good yarn in Final Approach. Though not as captivating as Trevanian and Ludlum, he does do an outstanding job in capturing the mind-set of a pilot, the main character (his own Jack Ryan?). Much better than Pandora's Clock (one of his other novels). Technically on-target and accurate with virtually all aspects to aviation and NTSB accident investigations: other authors shouldn't even try to dignify this sacred realm as well as Nance respects it and writes of it. Forget the Dinosaurs and Hollywood, put yourself on a real flight deck for a night or two with Final Approach.

Rating:
Summary: It's a good book but I find others better.
Review: Final Appoach is a good book. I was intrested in the book but not that intrested. I had read Pandoras Clock and Medusa's Child also by John J. Nance beore Final Approach I was not as intriqued as I was before by the other two. However I found this book very satisfying. It had lots of governments coverups. I think Nance does great research. His book was great. Every aspect of the plane is descriped. You just can't find better books Nance it the greatest author ever!

Rating:
Summary: Boring and Tedious
Review: I have read other Nance books ("Medusa's Child" and "Pandora's Clock") and found them to be much more intriguing and exciting than this snoozer. I kept waiting for some incredible, exciting event or revelation to occur in "Final Approach" but it never did. I had to force myself to read many parts of the book, which I have rarely had to do with other novels.

Rating:
Summary: Makes one think about what's really behind the investigation
Review: If you want a real appreciation for what goes on "Behind the Scenes" in an airline investigation this book will crystalize it for you. The story that unfolds is itself riveting, but the machinations that the principal investigator has to endure are thought provoking. You might very well appreciate those folks you see at an airline disaster scene after reading this one. Written by someone definitely in the know.

Rating:
Summary: I've always been impressed with Nance
Review: John Nance continues to impress me, and "Final Approach" only solidifies that. The book kept me picking it up and reading it when I should have been doing other things. His insight into the avaiation industry is amazing, and his ability to bring that insight out in a fictional novel is superb. People interested in the "behind the scenes" of airlines, the NTSB, FAA, and Washington will enjoy the plot.