What do you think?
Rate this book
Pan Am at War: How the Airline Secretly Helped America Fight World War II
Filled with larger-than-life characters, and revelations of the vision and technology it took to dominate the skies before and during, World War II, here is a gripping piece of aviation history.Pan Am at War chronicles the airline's historic role in advancing aviation and serving America's national interest before and during World War II. From its inception, Pan American Airways operated as the "wings of democracy," spanning six continents and placing the country at the leading edge of international aviation.At the same time, it was clandestinely helping to fight America's wars.Utilizing government documents, declassified Freedom of Information Act material, and company documents, the authors have uncovered stories of Pan Am's stunning role as an instrument of American airline's role in building air bases in Latin America and countering Axis interests that threatened the Panama CanalCreating transatlantic and trans-Africa supply lines for sending Lend-Lease equipment to BritainCooperation with Chiang Kai-shek and the Chinese nationalist government to pioneer the dangerous "Hump" route over the HimalayasThe dangerous seventeen-thousand-mile journey that took President Roosevelt to the high-stakes Casablanca Conference with Winston ChurchillThe daring flight that delivered uranium for the atomic bomb.For anyone interested in aviation, business, or military history, here is astonishing story filled with big ideas and the leaders who made them a reality.
446 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 12, 2019
262 people are currently reading
196 people want to read
About the author
Mark Cotta Vaz
80 books178 followersMark Cotta Vaz is the author of over twenty-one books, including four New York Times bestsellers. His recent works include Mythic Vision: The Making of Eragon, The Spirit: The Movie Visual Companion, and the biography Living Dangerously: The Adventures of Merian C. Cooper, Creator of King Kong, which was a Los Angeles Times bestseller.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 4, 2020
Very comprehensive. This is my fourth book on Pan Am and it is unique in itself with the detail it covers. The roles of various people connected with PanAm are more clearly defined here along with the politics.. I recommend it for people interested in airlines, Pan Am, and in business itself. A lot of lessons learned in working with our government and other countries.
January 21, 2019
A Review of "Pan Am at War” by Mark Cotta Vaz and John H Hill
More than a history of Pan Am in World War 2, it’s really a history of commercial flight beginning right before World War 1. Most of the original pilots and founders of Pan Am and other airlines were veterans of the air war above France. It’s founder, Juan Trippe, along with other veterans began the airline as a mail carrier between Miami and Havana. With the help of many of his colleagues from Yale he was able to finance expansion. Many of the early air mail routes Pan Am flew were the result of political connections from the Yankee family fortunes he was related to.
He expanded to the Caribbean and South America, and began the first transoceanic flights (using flying boats, the famous Pan Am Clipper, he helped to design) to Europe and Asia by 1939. Pan Am had built airports and landing docks across the Pacific that were later use by the Japanese and then the American Air Forces during the second world war. During the war they were a major transporter of war material for the Chinese government and the “Flying Tigers”, as well as maintenance facilities.
Among the first to fly commercial jets, he worked closely with Boeing in building the first jumbo jet-the 747. In the 1970s Pan Am was “America’s Airline to the World”. But when the “oil shock” of 1973 hit, and with increasing costs of fuel PA began a slow downturn. Without a “continental air network”, PA was stuck with large inefficient planes that were too big to fly profitably on shorter intra-continental flights.
By the middle 1980s PA had sold off many of its’ non-core assets such as Intercontinental Hotels, and stopped flying its’ around the world flight and other long haul flights to Asia. The purchase of National Airlines, gave them the profitable “Shuttles” from Boston-New York-Washington, but the planes and cultures were far from compatible.
Having sold off its’ Pacific routes (which were 25% of their mileage), by 1991, there was little left of the once proud airline. On December 4, 1991 PA ceased operations. The remaining parts were sold off piece-meal. This is a well-documented an easily read story, that reads like a novel in many places. It proves that when the original force behind a company leaves, the “tradition” of excellence often goes with it.
Zeb Kantrowitz zebsblog@gmail.com zworstblog@blogspot.com
More than a history of Pan Am in World War 2, it’s really a history of commercial flight beginning right before World War 1. Most of the original pilots and founders of Pan Am and other airlines were veterans of the air war above France. It’s founder, Juan Trippe, along with other veterans began the airline as a mail carrier between Miami and Havana. With the help of many of his colleagues from Yale he was able to finance expansion. Many of the early air mail routes Pan Am flew were the result of political connections from the Yankee family fortunes he was related to.
He expanded to the Caribbean and South America, and began the first transoceanic flights (using flying boats, the famous Pan Am Clipper, he helped to design) to Europe and Asia by 1939. Pan Am had built airports and landing docks across the Pacific that were later use by the Japanese and then the American Air Forces during the second world war. During the war they were a major transporter of war material for the Chinese government and the “Flying Tigers”, as well as maintenance facilities.
Among the first to fly commercial jets, he worked closely with Boeing in building the first jumbo jet-the 747. In the 1970s Pan Am was “America’s Airline to the World”. But when the “oil shock” of 1973 hit, and with increasing costs of fuel PA began a slow downturn. Without a “continental air network”, PA was stuck with large inefficient planes that were too big to fly profitably on shorter intra-continental flights.
By the middle 1980s PA had sold off many of its’ non-core assets such as Intercontinental Hotels, and stopped flying its’ around the world flight and other long haul flights to Asia. The purchase of National Airlines, gave them the profitable “Shuttles” from Boston-New York-Washington, but the planes and cultures were far from compatible.
Having sold off its’ Pacific routes (which were 25% of their mileage), by 1991, there was little left of the once proud airline. On December 4, 1991 PA ceased operations. The remaining parts were sold off piece-meal. This is a well-documented an easily read story, that reads like a novel in many places. It proves that when the original force behind a company leaves, the “tradition” of excellence often goes with it.
Zeb Kantrowitz zebsblog@gmail.com zworstblog@blogspot.com
August 25, 2021
This has been an interesting read, as I do not have much knowledge of the history of air exploration and inventions. When I was a kid, I have never been one of those boys that get fascinated by planes and plane stories, instead, I have been mostly pragmatic about this topic. So this is where I come from and this has slightly changed now (slightly, though).
Mark Cotta Vaz has prepared a good overview of the first years of Pan Am as a pioneer in its field, how they grew to the prime position they had and how they supported the US airforce (or was part of it) in the WW2. At points, the story felt a bit too detailed (when he goes in a winded bio story for some airdog) and then I normally drifted while listening to it. Then at other times I was searching for more details on a specific person (check Claire Chennault https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claire_...) or event and extending the story with days.
After completing the book, I feel like I have learned a bunch of interesting facts, and my interest is kindled now related to the history of airplanes, airlines, and air inventions all-in-all. So if you feel like going down this path - check it out, too.
Mark Cotta Vaz has prepared a good overview of the first years of Pan Am as a pioneer in its field, how they grew to the prime position they had and how they supported the US airforce (or was part of it) in the WW2. At points, the story felt a bit too detailed (when he goes in a winded bio story for some airdog) and then I normally drifted while listening to it. Then at other times I was searching for more details on a specific person (check Claire Chennault https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claire_...) or event and extending the story with days.
After completing the book, I feel like I have learned a bunch of interesting facts, and my interest is kindled now related to the history of airplanes, airlines, and air inventions all-in-all. So if you feel like going down this path - check it out, too.
August 1, 2023
This is an amazing history of Pan Am from before WWI through WWII. I was minimally familiar w/the company as my MIL worked for them shortly after the war to her retirement. I wish she was still around to have long conversations with as I'm sure she knew many of the major people first hand. I had no idea how involved the company was in the war effort - long before the US entered the war - although I often marveled and wondered how we were so well prepared once Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. The politicians, bureaucrats and business leaders were very forward thinkers so had been preparing for what they saw as inevitable. It is sad to think that such a critical part of the US aviation history no longer exists.
April 30, 2020
Several years ago I read China's Wing by Greg Crouch, a book I loved. So this looked like another great read. Well the good points first.
The author does a superb job of writing of the early years of Pan Am, Juan Trippe and others who created this great airline. What a brilliant visionary was Juan Trippe.
Now the negative part, it took along time to get to the war. That's the main reason I desired in reading the book. We get to the war, oh hallelujah! But it was a chore to finish this book. Btw I plan to read China's Wings again.
The author does a superb job of writing of the early years of Pan Am, Juan Trippe and others who created this great airline. What a brilliant visionary was Juan Trippe.
Now the negative part, it took along time to get to the war. That's the main reason I desired in reading the book. We get to the war, oh hallelujah! But it was a chore to finish this book. Btw I plan to read China's Wings again.
November 21, 2020
The title is misleading, as around two-thirds of the book relates to the history of Pan-Am prior to America's entry into WW2. That said, this was a thoroughly entertaining history of the pioneers of commercial aviation. The overlap of a developing airline and the political upheavals between the world wars is fascinating.
January 28, 2021
Aviation in peace and war
I was interested in this title due to its connection to WWII. I was interested in the history of Pan Am and what its connection was to the war effort. I fee that the authors did a good job of narrating and intertwining the airline's role in aiding the war effort.
I was interested in this title due to its connection to WWII. I was interested in the history of Pan Am and what its connection was to the war effort. I fee that the authors did a good job of narrating and intertwining the airline's role in aiding the war effort.
July 16, 2021
Outstanding and Detailed
This is a very thoroughly researched and very well written book. Pan Am at War is exactly as promised. It combines the development of a great airline, the greatest war, and the intrigues of far away and exotic locations. I wish I lived in these times, and was a part of this history.
This is a very thoroughly researched and very well written book. Pan Am at War is exactly as promised. It combines the development of a great airline, the greatest war, and the intrigues of far away and exotic locations. I wish I lived in these times, and was a part of this history.
July 1, 2020
Important history on the development of our nation.
The importance of air power, WWII and the cold war, and the advancement of our society. Details and answers many questions providing in depth passed decades.
The importance of air power, WWII and the cold war, and the advancement of our society. Details and answers many questions providing in depth passed decades.
July 24, 2020
Pan Am History
Well written history of the founding of Pan Am and its’ early years through WW2. It was a different world then and this story tells you how and why. Good read for aviation interests and those who renmember and loved Pan Am.
Well written history of the founding of Pan Am and its’ early years through WW2. It was a different world then and this story tells you how and why. Good read for aviation interests and those who renmember and loved Pan Am.
July 26, 2020
Most history books are presented in chronological order
While this is a good history book and had an awful lot of fascinating history about Pat AB the author's inability to put it in chronological order made following it very very difficult
While this is a good history book and had an awful lot of fascinating history about Pat AB the author's inability to put it in chronological order made following it very very difficult
January 20, 2021
Painstakingly researched, it’s probably a great book for airplanes and airlines enthusiasts. But for most people, it’s just tedious. Sooo many names and details about specific planes, it’s just too much for the average reader.
February 24, 2021
This is not just a war history. This is a story about how Pan Am started and the challenges facing early international airlines. How do you fly across an ocean when airplanes can’t carry enough fuel and there are no airports on the way? I found the book fascinating.
July 5, 2020
Too much detail about names and places. Some good history of commercial flight and PAA performance in WWII.
March 16, 2021
Closer to 2.5. There are some gems in here, but it comes off as a bit too polished, especially in how it underplays Charles Lindbergh's isolationism before Pearl Harbor.
June 5, 2021
Great, well referenced,glad I picked this up. Learned of a behind the scenes activity that Pan Am developed to help win WWII from the air, a part of history I never knew.
November 13, 2024
I suppose this needed to be written to capture this aspect on 20th Century history. However, as popular history, this falls far short and I found it to be a tedious read.
March 2, 2024
A very rich aviation history
This is a book for aviation geeks (AV Geeks!) and history buffs alike. It covers how international air routes were established, which was pretty interesting. Jam packed with stories. I wasn’t crazy about the narrator: not terrible but a bit too monotone for my liking. But don’t let it stop you from listening.
This is a book for aviation geeks (AV Geeks!) and history buffs alike. It covers how international air routes were established, which was pretty interesting. Jam packed with stories. I wasn’t crazy about the narrator: not terrible but a bit too monotone for my liking. But don’t let it stop you from listening.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews