What readers think of Fly Girls, plus links to write your own review.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

These women were the generation before my mother. I am always stirred when I hear of such examples of women's desired to be and do different from the norm. Cited examples of women other Than Amelia and that is notable.

This is a well-written account of the many women who pioneered the aviation industry in the 20's and 30's. These women include Ruth Nichols and Ruth Elder, Louise Thaden and Amelia Earhart. They flew planes that sometimes fell apart under the strain of increasing speed. Air shows were popular, and female pilots desperately wanted to compete, despite the dangers and numerous crashes. Many times, the women survived the crashes, but not always. I was surprised at their risk tolerance. The author well describes their love of flying. This is a well-researched account of women who wanted to do more than marry, raise children, and work at jobs less thrilling than flying. I wish this book was recommended reading for college students studying aeronautical engineering. It is a useful and detailed history, written in a story-like manner, reflecting women's forgotten contributions to an industry we all rely on. It is a good and satisfying read.