Journey to the West

This is a semi-autobiographical novel that depicts a unique American success story. It is a rags to riches tale of a man escaping his humble origins to make millions of dollars. But then he throws it all away due to the ancient character flaw of hubris.
The action plays out on the international stage, with major corporations taking part in the unfolding of the events. One in particular used a combination of technical prowess, plucky ambition and luck to gain worldwide recognition. Today it has risen to compete with the leaders of its multi-billion dollar industry. The protagonist was instrumental in bringing this about and thereby gained almost legendary status as a result.
What is most fascinating is that much of the action takes place in the sky. The setting is the international aircraft industry, with the players being the manufacturers who battle for the highest of stakes. They are household names, not only in the United States, but in virtually every corner of the globe. At the same time, the Journey to the West ends up leading all the way to Japan.
In the novel the currents of the time are examined, and it is shown how profoundly the cultural and sociological nature of America changed over those years. Sexual, moral and ethical values came under intense scrutiny. No one escaped unscathed.
Finally, the family relationships of the people involved are presented in all their complexity. The love, animosity, ambitions and frustrations of the fathers and sons, mothers and daughters, stepparents and stepchildren, and assorted half-siblings are recounted along with the changing perceptions among them over the years.
This is a complex account told in a sensitive manner. It spans decades. All of the characters in it are given their due. At times it borders on the stuff of mythology. But it always reveals a human touch.