The Target: Love, Death and Airline Deregulation by J. R. Hauptman, is set in Colorado and the west, and tells of the first years of deregulation and the effects it had on that industry and its people. Many believe it was the rush to deregulation then, that led to the chaos that may overwhelm our economy today.

In the story, Carlo Clemenza is "the most hated man" in the airline business. A dedicated corporate raider and union buster, Clemenza ruthlessly crushes competing airlines and brings the workers to heel. These earn him death threats, yet he struts arrogantly, guarded by security toughs. Thousands of pilots are forced to start their careers over or to find them suddenly ended. The call rings out, "Why doesn't someone kill that SOB?"

Only one pilot, angered by the deaths of his friends, takes up the chase and he makes Carlo THE TARGET! His quest takes him to the far corners of the country as he finds himself also the object of pursuit and murder. The characters merge in spectacular action and settings and the story ends in redemption.