Reviewed by Jamie Michele for Readers' Favorite

Landing at the Top by David Jackson is a memoir that follows Jackson's adventurous journey to achieve his dreams, beginning with an early passion for flying. At sixteen, he took a solo flight from Fullerton, California, to Las Vegas, where he faced a bit of trouble, yet managed to land safely. He worked multiple jobs to fund his flight training and later aspired to become a fighter pilot, but his health prevented it. Jackson’s life included other adventures, like skiing in Chile and traveling across Europe and South America. His business ventures, particularly Aero Wash, grew through perseverance even with early setbacks. He later transitioned into education, successfully managing Fairmont School, which he expanded into Fairmont Preparatory Academy. Alongside his career, Jackson's spiritual journey grew with the LDS Church and family.

As a child, I used to sit, bored out of my mind, while my dad would chair his Civil Air Patrol meetings. Now, as an adult, I have so much admiration and respect for those who take to the skies, and that is really what drew me to David Jackson’s Landing at the Top. Jackson's style of writing is simple and straightforward with a conversational tone, which allows readers to feel more like they are chatting with a friend than reading a memoir. I connected with his honest and engaging look at how embracing life's uncertainties can lead to extraordinary success. The book shines with its candid reflection on family life and the sacrifices required to build a career while balancing personal values. Jackson’s transitions from selling his business to managing a school with no experience reveal a deep faith in the power of perseverance and intuition. Overall, this is a wonderful memoir for those who enjoy reading about the lives of others, but the big winners here will be Jackson's own family, who will no doubt treasure this slice of communal history for generations to come.