Reviews
"A true labor of love, and one with a wide appeal for devotees of Chicago History."
—Henry Kisor, Chicago Sun-Times, Books, February 2, 2003
". . . A book which will fascinate every Chicagoan, as well as anyone who has slogged his way through a contemporary airport. The book vividly recalls that glorious era when air travel basked in the golden aura brought to it by Amelia Earhart and 'Lucky Lindy.' One longs to step in Midway's vanished Cloud Room, created by Marshall Field's, with its Calder mobile, and dine there with the likes of Clark Gable, Jack Benny, and Mrs. Roosevelt."
—David Garrard Lowe, author of Lost Chicago
"The history of Chicago's Midway Airport reflects the history of Chicago itself. The air transportation flowing through Midway was the life blood that nurtured the Windy City in the early years of the 20th Century."
—Captain James A. Lovell, Jr., astronaut and commander of the Apollo 13 mission
"Chris Lynch has brought alive the adventure and romance that are so much a part of Midway's history. Chicago air enthusiasts should rejoice."
—H. W. Crocker III, author and historian
"In compelling and clear prose, Christopher Lynch's Chicago's Midway Airport: The First Seventy-Five Years traces the development of Midway from small beginnings, through 1950s and 60s prominence, to contemporary significance. In an important contribution to commercial, transportation, and urban history, Lynch profiles colorful, courageous pioneers who launched and developed the airport."
—Lawrence J. McCaffrey, author and Professor of History (Emeritus), Loyola University of Chicago
"From cover to cover, Chicago's Midway Airport, did not disappoint. . . . He not only does a yeoman's job on documenting the life of Midway, but he amplifies the story with personal recollections. All of which make for a great reading experience. . . .It provides the reader with a great trip."
—Owen Crabb, Washington Airline Society Newsletter, "Midway Book Review," December 2003
"Christopher Lynch's keen photo-filled history . . . just begs to go dog-eared with repeated thumb-throughs. . . . [It] is a lean, informative, deeply personal portrait of Midway that traces its history from Chicago's earliest days as a transportation hub through the advent of jet travel; from Midway’s heyday as the busiest airport in the nation, then in the world, to its eclipse by its own space limitations and the primacy of Chicago's O'Hare International Airport. By the time you get to the chapter on the formation of Midway Airlines and a breath of renewed life for o' Muny, you're rooting for it like it's a hometown hero. . . . Lynch's crackerjack editing allows an amazing inclusion of facts and anecdotes within a space that's cockpit-compact. An ongoing timeline helps you keep your historical bearings from chapter to chapter, while an impressive collection of photos warrants the attractive scrapbook presentation Lake Claremont Press has given the material. . . . A Great Gift Idea for local history and aviation buffs."
—Jean Kozlowski, Cricket in the Corner, "Spring Reads: Flying," May 6, 2003
"The book not only chronicles the airport's airline history, but also touches on its military background, a fixed-base operations and other interesting facets. Historical photographs document the text well, showing not only the airport's early days, but its character. It provides a trip down memory lane for anyone who passed through during Midway's glory days and brings the reader full circle through the field's history."
—Jon Proctor, Airliners, No. 81, May/June 2003
"When Christopher Lynch went looking for the book that would tell the history of Midway Airport, his search came up empty. 'I used to hear these stories and go to the library to find stuff about Midway. There was nothing. Zippo,' Lynch said. 'My fear is it would be forgotten. . . . I wrote the book I wanted to read.' . . . But instead of merely chronicling the history of the airport through important dates and events, Lynch wanted to capture the spirit of the place and its effect on the surrounding neighborhood."
—Guy Tridgell, Daily Southtown, "Memoirist of the Midway," January 27, 2003
Amazon Reviews
Fantastic
This book is fantastic!!! Christopher Lynch has really captured the history of commercial and general aviation and the early pioneers who overcame challenges in reaching success. The numerous photos in the book are phenomenal as well. It is obvious that the author must have spent endless hours researching facts and gathering photos. The oral history really brings the story to life. This book should be recommended reading for all students of Chicago history and aviation pioneers.
—Amazon.com reader review, 5 of 5 stars, January 3, 2003
A Great Look at the Past
Thanks for writing such a wonderful tribute to an era of plane travel that is now long gone. I think it is important for people to know what it was like in the early days of air travel, very unlike what it is like today.
—Amazon.com reader review, 5 of 5 stars, February 14, 2003
The Unbelievable Birth of Aviation
An airport owned by a school system? Planes that have to wait for trains to pass? A Hindenburg-like crash that occurred in the center of the city? Hundreds of fascinating photos draw the reader in and the unbelievable history unfolds in the text using sidebars, oral histories, and painstakingly researched facts. A one-of-a-kind read that was well worth the wait.
—Amazon.com reader review, 5 of 5 stars, February 21, 2003
Also In Print
Atlantic Flyer Magazine, February 2003
Aviation International News, February 2003
Chicago Reader, "In Print: Midway’s history from the cockpit," March 26, 2003
Chicago Tribune, "Book takes inside look at Midway; Author relishes airport's history in last 75 years,"
May 12, 2003
City Talk, "Midway taught Chicago to fly," September 2001
Daily Southtown, "Midway Airport soaring after changes take off: Colorful past, bright future boost
airfield," January 4, 2004
Desplaines Valley News, "Aviation History takes off," April 24, 2003
Medill News Service, "Midway's success could be too much of a good thing," January 28, 2004
Nostalgia Digest and Radio Guide, Spring 2003
Southwest News-Herald, City Edition, "Depicting Midway's History: Former Chicago Lawn Resident
Pens Airport's Past," February 6, 2003
USA Today, "ATA's Midway departure plans spark air war," November 22, 2004
On the Air
WTTW–Chicago, Chicago Stories, "Midway Airport: Crossroads to the World," September 2001
WBEZ–91.5 FM, Chicago Public Radio, Eight-forty Eight, Audio tour of Midway, February 21, 2003
WCKG–105.9 FM, Chicago, The Steve Dahl Show, June 10, 2003
WDCB–90.9 FM, Chicago's Western Suburbs, Chuck Schaden's Those Were the Days, June 14, 2003
WGN–720 AM, Chicago, The Steve and Johnnie Show, May 2003
Representative Author Talks and Slide Shows
Aeroclub of Aurora; Aeroclub of DuPage; Aeroclub of Naperville
Beverly Chamber of Commerce
Chicago Architecture Foundation, noon lecture series
The Cross and Cockade Club (World War I Aviation enthusiasts)
Edgebrook Women's Club
Experimental Aircraft Association, Barrington chapter meeting; Schaumburg chapter meeting
Flagg Creek Historical Society, luncheon keynote speaker
La Grange Post Card Club
Model airplane clubs (several)
The Ninety-Nines, Lansing Airport chapter (Women's flying group founded by Amelia Earhart);
chaumburg Airport chapter
The OX5 Club, Christmas luncheon (members all flew airplanes with OX5 Engines)
Public libraries, including Blue Island, Darien, Hinsdale, Orland Park, Riverside, Stickney, and Western
Springs
United Business Association of Midway (UBAM)
For press kits and review copies of all Lake Claremont Press titles,
and for information on media interviews, bookstore/library programs, and other events,
contact Elizabeth Sattelberger at 312/226-8400 or elizabeth@lakeclaremont.com.