Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Penguin Books; Reissue edition (31 July 2003)
Language English
ISBN-10: 0142003514
ISBN-13: 978-0142003510
Product Dimensions: 20 x 13 x 1.7 cm
Written in 1967 it purports to be the uninhibited story of the working lives of American air stewardesses. Lighter than a soap bubble, it is pretty good on the day to day operational stuff but falls well short of uninhibited. The parts where the author explains how different nationalities behave on an aircraft are an interesting period insight as are the comments on Hollywood stars of the era. And she names names, up to a discreet point.

Anyone fascinated by the etymology of words, particularly the slang of the period, might be interested to read a very early appearance of the word 'gay' for homosexual, co-existing alongside the same word a paragraph later used as an adverb to describe a bright, lively, fun weekend in a European capital city. In many ways this book is about the first liberated women to use their work to break down the inhibiting barriers of the day and earn their independence in a new post-war generation of money, jet travel and sexual liberation. On the other hand, they also have one foot in an earlier time where catching a successful man is the ultimate goal. If you liked the Pan Am TV series you'll probably enjoy the background detail in this book.

General wear & tear , front cover is creased on one corner

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