02/17/2025
Fusing a playfully informative business guide with unfiltered observations on the perils of air travel, Blewett identifies six major negative habits of fellow travelers—such as the Gate Lice, who crowd the waiting area while ignoring societal norms, or members of the Backpack Wrecking Crew, whose swinging backpacks knock into other passengers—and tackles how to respond to each one of them. The solutions come with an abundance of tongue-in-cheek humor, like his suggestion to pass notes with uninvited commentary to those passengers who monopolize the cabin with excessively loud conference calls; while Blewett acknowledges that he would never act on those impulses, his sharp critiques will leave readers familiar with air travel chuckling.
Blewett sympathizes with professionals navigating fast-paced work lives that keep them in the air all the time, but his debut offers more than just simple consolation for travel woes; nearly every chapter features stories from Blewett’s own life that illustrate the twists and turns of his path to success, including heartening reflections on the role that trustworthy colleagues have played in ensuring his professional advancements. Much of his counsel speaks to the need for consideration and an open mind, as when he reminds readers to “accept the unsolicited help. Ask for advice, seek feedback, and be willing to accept it”; if professionals are mindful of others and respectful in their interactions, he writes, they, much like the “good seat neighbor” on airplanes, will experience a culture of cooperation and kindness.
Blewett’s perspective and experience are unquestionably geared towards higher-end corporate America, making some of his lessons applicable to only a narrow demographic, but his tone stays refreshingly casual and level headed, even in the book’s more cutting moments. Rising corporate stars—or seasoned professionals facing a career stall out—will find his guidance an easy blend of witty banter and shrewd insight.
Takeaway: Tongue-in-cheek critique of professional pitfalls, paralleled with frequent flying.
Comparable Titles: David E. Silvey’s The Smart Way to Deal with Stupid People, Charles Duhigg’s The Power of Habit.
Production grades Cover: A- Design and typography: A- Illustrations: N/A Editing: A Marketing copy: A