This fascinating biography of Pierre Jeanniot is much more than a portrait of the man who was at the helm of Air Canada and of the aviation industry: it is a compelling case study of how a business man is born and goes on to achieve financial success, social status, and political sway. The young Jeanniot learned to survive during the bombing of Rome, the occupation of France and as a witness to the Resistance in the Jura Mountains. The 1963 Sainte-Thérèse air tragedy, together with the threat of finding himself jobless, inspired him to create the famous data flight recorder, or 'black box.' Under his direction, Air Canada chose the Airbus rather than the Boeing to renew its fleet, in the midst of a highly visible political crisis. Against all odds, Jeanniot also orchestrated the successful privatization of the airline. His visionary speech in Amman, delivered while he was at the helm of the International Air Transport Association, laid out modern aviation's most urgent priorities in accident prevention, environmental protection and technological progress. A master of logistics, he successfully negotiated the restart of air travel in the aftermath of 9/11. Book jacket.