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There are currently 25 member reviews
for Fly Girls
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Barbara C. (Riverside, CA)
We Women are Are Amazing!
How special these women were. They also had families and everyday lives, but created exciting life-threatening experiences at a time when most men wouldn't dare do what they did. The term comfort zone hadn't been invented yet, thank goodness. I loved the detail and appreciated the connections they had with each other and other historical events. They crashed the glass ceiling. I loved the part where they used Old Orchard Beach for a runway, I will be there next week visiting relatives in Maine. It will mean more than ever.
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Doris K. (Angora, MN)
Fly Girls
In our day we take flying for granted. This interesting book shows how the early navigators worked and even died to further the cause of safe navigation by plane. This book is fascinating in the way the early navigation story is told. As seen by his notes Keith O'Brien has done exhaustive research in order to make the people in his book come to life, not be just statistics. Although the women aviators are the heart of the book , the history of navigation comes through in an interesting way. Overall an excellent read.
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Judi R. (Jericho, NY)
Very Timely
The author, Keith O'Brien, could not have realized how timely this novel would be when he was conducting his obvious extensive research. Not only are we in the midst of the times up movement, but just this spring, a major airline disaster was averted due to the skill of its female pilot. O'Brien brilliantly details the history of females in aviation, highlighting 1927-1936. These women were brave and persistent. At times the book felt breathless as O'Brien takes us cross country or transcontinental in a race for speed and position. Not only does this story coincide with the women's suffragette movement but also with the Great Depression. It's a wonder that these women were able to accomplish what they did. The reader will learn about these heroes who changed our world. A fascinating story in great detail. Not to be missed.
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Patricia T. (Fallbrook, CA)
Fly Girls
Amelia Earhart is a household name, but there were others from the same time period, other women pilots just as deserving of lasting fame as she was. Fly Girls is the story of five of these women. It was the twenties and thirties, the beginning of the aviation industry in America, and it was a male world. Air Races were central, but female pilots were not welcome, they had to fight for acceptance, even for a place in the game. Fight they did, and this is a cracking read of just how they prevailed. They had the skills, they had the guts, and all they wanted was a chance to prove it. Many times the results were tragic, it was dangerous for all pilots, crashes were frequent and often fatal. I would hope young people of both sexes will read this book, it is an eye-opener and an inspiration.
It reminded me a little of Boys in the Boat, in that the author managed to create suspense, even though the race results are a matter of record.
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Janine S. (Wyoming, MI)
Exciting read about daring women
What a great read! I thoroughly enjoyed every page of this book as I eagerly learned about the daring women who helped shaped aviation in this country in the 20s and 30s. Just imagine flying without the advantages of GPS - truly I can't - or using what in most cases were experimental planes to compete in air races - one has to totally fearless - left me breathless at moments. What "moxie"!. And the great perseverance of these women to do it all in a man's world (not much as changed when only 7 of commercial pilots are women today) is inspiring. There is lot of great information in this book, especially some new detail about Amelia Earhart. But I thoroughly loved following Louise Thaden as she struggled to balance her flying with her family - not typical for the times. The book is well written and the story well crafted. I highly recommend it.
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Carol C. (Troy, NY)
Fly Girls
I loved this book! While I'd expected to enjoy it, I found it absolutely riveting. While I'd heard of Amelia Earhart, of course, the names and lives of the other women were unfamiliar to me. The author does a wonderful job of bringing their stories to life - the accomplishments as well as the disappointments and tragedies. 'Fly Girls' is informative, well-written, and holds one's attention from beginning to end. I highly recommend it.
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Edna G. (Hillsborough, NC)
Fly Girls :
Fly Girls is an informative and engrossing account of women pilots in 1920s and '30s. O'Brien focuses on five women with stories screaming to be remembered. They faced incredible obstacles and prejudices as they flew in races and other events. Hostility was evident with remarks such as "flying saved her from becoming a nice old maid."
Fly Girls launches us into a period of aviation history largely forgotten. I applaud Mr O'Brien for bringing these Five to life!
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