books

DAUGHTER OF THE AIR, by Rob Simbeck. It is the story of Cornelia Fort, WASP (Atlantic Monthly Press)
WEST WITH THE NIGHT, by Beryl Markham (North Point Press)
FINDING AMELIA, the true story of the Earhart disappearance, by Ric Gillespie (Naval Institute Press)
ZERO THREE BRAVO, by Mariana Gosnell (published by Alfred A. Knopf) (a wonderful read)
SISTERS IN ARMS, British and American women pilots during WWII, by Helena Page Schrader (Pen and Sword Books Ltd, Great Britain)
WIND IN MY FACE, by Gladys Dawson Buroker (ISBN 0-9658675-0-1)
UPON SILVER WINGS, by CarolAnn Garratt,a 99 in Ocala, Florida. This is the true story of CarolAnn's tribute to her mother who died of ALS/Lou Gehrig's Disease in 2002. CarolAnn flew her Mooney solo around the world in 2003 to raise awareness of the disease that claimed her mother's life. All revenue from the book and CarolAnn's speaking presentations goes to the ALS Therapy Development Foundation for researching a cure for the disease. "UPON SILVER WINGS" is an exciting and inspirational read for anyone, but especially pilots. To order an autographed copy, send a contribution of $35 ($40 overseas) to ALS-TDF, 215 First St., Cambridge, MA 02142, Attn: J. Oken, and write Silver Wings in the memo line of your check. Phone/credit card orders: Call 617-441-7270. (donations over $25 are tax-deductible).
THE SKY'S THE LIMIT, Wendy Boase. This is a wonderful vintage book of "lively, anecdote-filled account of the world's leading women flyers". Published by Macmillan Publishing Co., Inc. in 1979, it covers an International era of flight by women pilots beginning with the pioneers of 1910-1928 and ending around 1943 (ISBN 0-02-511970-2, Library of Congress Catalog Card Number: 79-88341).
SPINNING THROUGH THE CLOUDS, TALES FROM AN EARLY HOOSIER AVIATOR, by Max Wright. Order from the Indiana Historical Society (put "aviation" in the search box). What makes this book especially interesting is that it takes place at Indiana towns and airports, many of which are no longer in existence. Seat-of-the-pants flying!!

Recommendations from Rene:

WEAVING THE WINDS - EMILY HOWELL WARNER, by Ann Lewis Cooper (published by 1st Books) Learn about what made Emily Howell-Warner the ideal person to open the airline flight deck to women everywhere.
NOTHING STOOD IN HER WAY - CAPTAIN JULIE CLARK, with Ann Lewis Cooper (Women in Aviation, Intl.) Everyone has heard of Julie Clark, but how much do you really know about her? She overcame incredible challenges to have a successful career both as an airline captain and as an airshow performer. Read about how she flew a decrepit T-34A home to California from Alaska, the airline boss who would hire her only after she cut her hair, and other amazing stories.
ON WINGS OF TRUST - THE QUEST OF PILOT CAROLE LEIGH, by Maynard Poland (Leisure Works Writings) Carole was one of the first Navy pilots, and as you would expect, she was not welcomed with open arms. A couple of things stand out in her story - while there were a number of men that did everything they could to make her fail, she didn't, and there were quite a few men who supported her fully. The second thing that stood out was that the early women Navy pilots were very isolated from each other. As 99s, we know how valuable the support from other women is.
AARDVARK MEMORIES, by Lisa Stout (Xlibris) A novel! Written by a female airline pilot, about a female airline pilot! This story is really a novel within a novel, and it really grew on me as I read along. This is a story of four strong women, one fighting cancer, one suddenly blind after a horrible accident, a women homeless for most of her life, and a young woman orphaned as a teenager. See what circumstances bring these women together, and how their friendship makes them all stronger.
FLYING TIGRESS, by Norah O'Neill (Ascending Journey Press) Norah was the first women hired by the Flying Tigers, and this is part the story of being the first, part the story of everyday life as an airline pilot, but mostly the story of a very courageous woman.
BEFORE AMELIA, by Eileen Lebow (Brassey's, Inc.) This book chronicles early women aviators, mostly prior to WWI, and throughout Europe, as well as the United States. Raymonde de Laroche, Melli Beese, Helene Dutrieu, Marie Marvingt, Blanche Scott, Bessica Raiche, Harriet Quimby, Katherine and Marjorie Stinson, Ruth Law, and more, are just a few of the amazing women in this book. Learn about their lives, their often tragic deaths (in airplanes and otherwise), and the challenges they faced in taking to the skies.