Michael Crichton has proved himself to be a technical [and technological!] virtuoso: airframe has the suspense and thrill that can be found only in a crichton, and in addition it is as techno-packed as any Tom Clancy novel.
The book gives the reader an insight into the high stakes world of aircraft manufacture, while at the same time, being very thought-provoking on the issue of today’s uncontrolled media and press. Airframe starts off with thrills as a commercial plane suffers a midair disaster, killing three and injuring several others.
In the pandemonium that ensues, the manufacturing company has to face an angry public, misinformed press, not to mention the fierce aircraft industry scenario, rife with spies, saboteurs and espionage.
While the book does start off quite well, its conclusion is a bit too filmy, and is a disappointment for a crichton fan. However, airframe is still a highly readable book, and one does come out of the experience being both entertained, and informed.