by James Kaplan
First published 1994
Kaplan takes readers inside JFK International Airport, revealing the complex ecosystem that operates behind the scenes of one of the world's busiest travel hubs. The book examines the airport's labyrinthine organizational structure, from the ground crews to the security teams who navigate its sprawling terminals daily. Kaplan documents the criminals who exploit the constant flow of passengers and cargo, the systematic delays that frustrate millions of travelers, and the intricate logistics that keep the massive operation running. He captures JFK's unique position as a global crossroads where cultures collide and fortunes are made and lost. The portrait reveals how this concrete and steel complex has become both a symbol of modern travel's promise and its perils, showing readers the human drama that unfolds in departure lounges and cargo bays around the clock.
Genres: travel, non-fiction, 21st-century, aviation
Vibes: intimate, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: investigative-journalism
Setting: JFK International Airport, New York
Period: 21st-century
278 pages · Hardcover · William Morrow & Co