About this title: Ryan Bingham's somewhat bizarre goal is to accumulate a million miles in his frequent flyer account. His life in the air--and specifically the last leg of his world-wide itinerary--is the subject of this very 21st-century novel, in which Ryan is firmly connected to the earth via phone and computer even as he soars above it. A New York Times Notable Book for 2001.
Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.
Description: Good. Shows some signs of wear, and may have some markings on the inside. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Description: Very Good. 0385722370 some wear to covers and edges, some scuffing books may have some minor wearhouse damage. Stickers may be on spine or covers. read more
Edition: Later Edition
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Doubleday and Company, New York, New York, U.S.A.
Date Published: 2001
ISBN-13:9780385497107ISBN:0385497105
Description: Near Fine in Near Fine jacket. Nice clean copy with only minimal signs of wear. There is a small black and a faint black line (maybe ballpoint) indicating the book may be a remainder. Ryan Bingham's somewhat bizarre goal is to accumulate a million miles in his frequent flyer account. His life in the air--and specifically the last leg of his world-wide itinerary--is the subject of this very 21st-century novel, in which Ryan is firmly connected to the earth via phone and computer even as he ... read more
Description: Very Good. 0385722370 Paperback, Condition: Very Good; this book is in very good condition with light curve to the spine / light reading creases to the covers. read more
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Doubleday
Date Published: 7/3/2001
ISBN-13:9780385497107ISBN:0385497105
Description: New. FIRST EDITION STATED. Hardback w/ DJ. You are buying a Book in NEW condition with very light shelf wear to include very light edge and corner wear. Buy it Now! ! ! As always, thank you for buying this book from International Book Source, YOUR ONE source FOR ALL your BOOK related NEEDS. Please remember to CHOOSE carefully how QUICKLY you would like to RECEIVE this material FAST, or standard (on next page). Thanks again! ! ! ! read more
Edition: First edition.
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Doubleday Books
Date Published: 2001
ISBN-13:9780385497107ISBN:0385497105
Description: Fine in fine dust jacket. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. With dust jacket. 320 p. Audience: General/trade. Book is in excellent condition. Cover and pages are clean, binding is tight. Satisfaction Guaranteed. read more
Edition: First edition.
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Doubleday Books
Date Published: 2001
ISBN-13:9780385497107ISBN:0385497105
Description: Very good in very good dust jacket. Ex-library. Sewn binding. Cloth over boards. With dust jacket. 320 p. Audience: General/trade. read more
Description: Like New. 2009-Paperback-May contain minor shelf-wear. Otherwise, volume un-read and in "As-New" condition. -Used-Like New-Hall Street Books proudly ships from Brooklyn, NY. All orders are processed and shipped within 24 hours, M-F. 100% money back No-Worry guarantee with expedited delivery and delivery confirmation available. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Anchor Books
Date Published: 2009-11-24
ISBN-13:9780307476296ISBN:0307476294
Description: NEW. Softcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9780307476296. read more
Binding: Trade paperback
Publisher: Anchor Books
Date Published: 2002
ISBN-13:9780385722377ISBN:0385722370
Description: New. No dust jacket as issued. Never read, excellent condition, no remainder marks. Trade paperback (US). Glued binding. 320 p. Audience: General/trade. read more
Edition: First edition
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Doubleday, New York
Date Published: 2001
ISBN-13:9780385497107ISBN:0385497105
Description: NF/F. Blue boards in black cloth spine. New installment from modern U.S. satirist with a sharp eye and an even sharper pen documenting the quirks of American culture. read more
Edition: First Edition
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Doubleday, New York, NY, U.S.A.
Date Published: 2001
ISBN-13:9780385497107ISBN:0385497105
Description: Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) Uncorrected proofs. Near Fine, in wraps, trade-sized (pb). 304pps. There is mild bumping to the front tips, otherwise flawless. Yet to be read. "...Meet Ryan Bingham, thirty-five, corporate consultant, very frequent flier, citizen of the transient realm he calls 'Airworld. ' With his cell phone, his handheld computer, and his wardrobe of wrinkle-free slacks and jackets, he's part of a new species: the commercial airborne commando who travels light and depends on no ... read more
"Serious displacement occurs when main character Ryan approaches his millionth-mile mark flying with Great West Airlines. Suddenly that goal seems the only thing within reach--more important things slip out of his grasp in inverse relation the closer he comes to his millionth mile. Very funny look at the modern corporate sensibility. Author Kirn implicates us all, but with good humor, and since he skewers everyone, with fairness. To laugh again, at these things that drive one mad, is worth the price of admission. I relish the idea of watching George Clooney play the lead in the film. Seems a singularly inspired choice."
"The story of Ryan Bingham (no relation to the alt country singer) criss-crossing the United States to achieve his goal of 1 million frequent flyer miles, is frantic, funny, and seemingly pointless. But a closer look reveals a man with a mission. Throughout Ryan's journey Walter Kirn provides sharp commentary on corporate america, motivational speakers, and consultants (to name a few). His writing is smartly fast-paced like a good Howard Hawks or Preston Sturges screenplay. Pay attention or you'll miss something. And it's this writing that really propels the novel forward. Ryan Bingham and his plans for exploiting an old school motivational giant or working for a secretive consulting gem (Mythtech) are only vaguely interesting. It's the world that he travels in, corporate America and "Airworld", that are the primary topics of reader interest.
I spend a fair amount of time in "Airworld" myself and have to admit, for an author who rarely travels, he's nailed it. The blur of generic hotels, idiosyncrasies of airport security, and where/how to garner bonus miles/nights/rentals, are all here. It's actually eye-opening to see all of this with a fresh perspective. Kirn has won me over almost purely through his keen observational writing. The story is secondary, but that's ok.
From the early reviews the movie version may fair much better than the book. Look for the trailer w/George Clooney (good casting). The movie has pulled in rave reviews at the Toronto Film Fest and looks to develop greater depth in Ryan than Kirn was able offer us in his novel."
"It was okay at first, quirky, but the ending is lame. Okay, the last 100 pages are pretty lame.
At about page 225 I think he starts having a breakdown but its kinda hard to tell (the writing), then he's gets to Vegas, for a tryst, and gets high on prescription pills. I was not expecting this not because its not possible to get high in Vegas, but because this just does not seem like something the character I have been reading for 200 pages would do.
"This was hard to get in to but the pace picked up towards the middle and I liked the end where it gets all Las Vegas a lot. I think George Clooney is good casting here for the movie and have a feeling I might like it better than the book."
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