Naked Airport : A Cultural History of the World's Most Revolutionary Structure

Rating:
Summary: A must for even the most expert traveler
Review: Even for the most expert traveler, the Naked Airport will shed light on many facets of airports domestically and abroad. For instance, did you know that there are over 200 old bank safes in the landfill at Newark (EWR)? The history is layed out cronologically, but woven with social, political, economic and business history, such that it is any interesting narrative rather than a dry recitation of facts.

Rating:
Summary: Great history, but loses steam at the end
Review: This is a fascinating book, full of great stories about the origin of the modern airport. With the history of the airport comes the history of our culture, which makes for exciting reading. The archival details are astounding. The pacing is just right.

However, the book falls far short after it reaches the 1970s. True, there was very little airport construction during the 80s and 90s, but I still got the sense that Gordon tired of the material and just wanted to wrap up the book.

Also, a comment on post-9/11 airport history is relegated to a tacked-on page or two at the end of the book.



Rating:
Summary: Alastair Gordon has done it again!
Review: Through the pages of Naked Airport, Alastair Gordon examines the history of the world's most diverse structures. Going well beyond the architecture, this book explores airports in their historical and cultural context, defining well known edifices by identifying their place in the 20th century timeline.

I really enjoyed this book. Through a vivid and compelling narrative, Gordon manages to transport the reader to key points in time. Imagine attending the dedication of the New York Municipal Airport on October 15, 1939, where three skywriting planes circle overhead spelling out the words "NAME IT LA GUARDIA AIRPORT." The audience bursts into applause. Or picture being one of the first New York passengers in the early 1970s to walk through an electromagnetic gateway, a newly installed anti-terrorist device.

Naked Airport is perhaps the most comprehensive statement on airport architecture, history and culture to date. It is a must-read for history buffs and casual readers alike.

Rating:
Summary: Airports as the cultural icon of the 20th century
Review: Whenever I go through an airport I feel kind of disembodied and try not to think too much about it. I hate the glaring lights, boarding tubes and security scanners. I rush through, buy Toblerone and the crappy magazines that I only ever buy at airports and find a quiet place to wait. But along with all the boredom and humiliation, certain airports like Schiphol and Charles the Gaulle and the old TWA terminal at JFK were an architectural experience that was exciting and compelling.
In "Naked Airport," Gordon does a great job in explaining how the airport came to be the harrowing experience it is now. In a very accesible way he explores all aspects of the airport as a kind of frontier zone for the modern world. The book
is a cultural history in the broadest terms and is written in an easy-going narrative style that weaves together anecdotes, facts and insights about the personalities, architecture, and technology of the airport as well as the
literature, movies, art and pop culture that it has generated. I found it a great fun read from beginning to end.