Rating: 
Summary: Mediocre writing
Review: I bought the book on a recommendation from a management trainer. Very disappointing! Whereas Southwest airlines, their customer relations and their business model are certainly interesting, this book is not. The authors of Nuts! managed to bore after 20 pages. Nuts! could easily have been compressed into 50-80 pages by eliminating all repetition and fluff. What bothered me most was the uncritical Rah Rah cheerleader style of the authors, who used any example at hand to make the point they wanted, no matter how little the example supported that (on occasion the same example is used in different chapters of the book to make two logically opposed points). I am giving the book two points because I enjoyed reading customer letters and transcripts from Southwest Airlines. Those were much more instructive than the prose of the two authors. If the book had been the entertaining read it promised to be judging from the reviews, I wouldn't have minded the absence of content as much.
Rating: 
Summary: An indepth review
Review: I completed a graduate study on SW Airlines and read "Nuts" for some backgrown. I thought the book was very good; provided me with a very good understanding as to how SW runs its airline.
Rating: 
Summary: A company built on love and truth
Review: I found this one of the most enjoyable business books I have ever read. To me it was a love story. A story on how business can be challenging and yet give something back to society, one person at a time. An example of true and authentic leadership. Leadership that is truthful and loving. I could only imagine how much more fufilling all jobs would be if society could build on Southwests examples. To me, this book says more in the interpretation than the words. And that interpretation is "do unto others..." or in a corporate terms "respect for the individual", without losing site that we should also have fun and not take ourselves to seriously. I highly recommend this book for business owners like myself who are trying to make a difference.
Rating:
Summary: A new Southwest Airlines employee agrees. . .
Review: I have read the reviews about how this book is "mushy." I think maybe because they can't believe that a company this good really exists. I am a brand-new employee to SWA, and this book is given to every new employee at the day-long welcome class. After participating in the class, reading this book, and experiencing the SWA culture first-hand, I can safely say that the book does NOT exaggerate! The feel-good style emphasized over and over in the book is a reality. People care about each other. Everyday (as shown in the book) everyone is made to feel valuable--and it makes you want to work harder, work smarter, and spread the LUV. Others may "say" that's what they are doing, but somehow it always comes back to "the rules." Herb Kelleher and crew are breaking the rules--and showing the others how to make a profit while caring about the dignity and welfare of the SWA family. Great and easily read book. Highly recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Nuts! An amazing book about an amazing company!
Review: I learned so much about Southwest Airlines by reading this book! I also learned about how to grow a company. This book is a must have for all business people!
Rating:
Summary: Good book
Review: I liked this book, but it was a little text book style heavy. But, there were some very interesting things.
Rating:
Summary: The Untold Story???
Review: I must say I read with bemusement the review from the 16-year former employee, telling about the "Freiberg report" and the individuals who were demoted or terminated because of it, not to mention the "adultery, alcoholism, favoritism, and just plane uneducated leaders" that NUTS! appears to have omitted. I've been with Southwest for over 10 years, and while I do not know this individual or why they seem to have an axe to grind, I can assure you that the Freibergs did a wonderful job in preparing and writing this book. Let's face it, you could probably go to any company in the United States (Southwest included) and grind out a "Peyton Place" type expose', and it's probably true that not everyone at Southwest is a "happy camper". But let's face it, like anything else in life, you only get whatever you give, and I really have strong reservations regarding the credibility of a "former 16-year Employee who resigned on his own and is waiting for The Truth to come out".
Rating:
Summary: Southwest is the best
Review: I read this book, the 1st time, on a flight from BOS to LHR on British Airways. I had never flown on either airline previously. I finished the book on that flight to London and when I returned to the states, my wife and I booked a flight on Southwest to Midway in Chicago. The flight and the service on the Southwest planes are just as printed in the book. What a way to run an airline;inexpensive flights, a great atmosphere because of the crew and NUTS for the snack. The seats on Southwest are more comfortable than those on British Airways. British Airways can learn a great deal from Southwest.Everything that you will read in this book will eventually happen on one of their flights and 99% of the flights we have been on have been up to 30 minutes early for arrival to the destination. If one ever has the time to look out the windows in the terminal while waiting for a flight on Southwest, it is a SIGHT to watch the crew on the tarmac work at speeds not seen on other airlines unloading and inbound (full) flight and loading the outbound (full) flight in less than 25 minutes. It is no wonder this is a profitable operation in an industry where almost all the competitors are losing money. And the thrill on some of the older 737's of flying backwards, fantastic. I would fly Southwest to London though the service is not available, it would be nice if it were.
Rating:
Summary: Fun and informative. Valuable insight for all managers.
Review: I would highly recommend this book for managers at all levels, especially entrepreneurs. I appreciated the personal insight of the company founders and how they overcame a succession of obstacles with sheer determination, employee teamwork, and skilled leadership. I was impressed with Southwest's view of its employees as its most valuable asset and how this attitude manifests a caring environment that inspires each employee to excel. Freiberg and Freiberg successfully conveyed the company culture of dedication, creativity, and fun. The book was enjoyable and the authors' enthusiasm was quite apparent. Bias was its only weakness.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding book that any manager should read
Review: I've read many books on management and business. This one rates up there at the top.
While longer than most books -- around 330 pages -- it reads easily. Everything's in the forgotten language: "Plain English." The lessons are simple. And at the same time, you see that it's anything BUT simple to have anything approaching the kind of success that Kelleher has had with SW Airlines.
The authors talk over and over about "loving the customer." And you see why and how and when and where. You see that it comes from the heart. And you also see that, most importantly of all, it comes from the top.
If there's any one thing that this book drove home to me, it's perhaps this: do things differently than everybody else. Involve people. Listen to people. Love them.
It's tough to summarize an excellent book in a few paragraphs. If it could be done well, then the authors wouldn't have to write 300 pages. In any event, read this book and learn.
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