Lady Flyer ~ Review

Lady Flyer

By Heather B. Moore

I love historically-based fiction that follows the life of a real person. In this case, we are introduced to Nancy Harkness, who is drawn to planes and flight. She is born into a world on the edge of change, and her parents give her the freedom to follow her dream of becoming a pilot.

The book opens with Nancy observing Charles Lindbergh's triumphant Atlantic crossing in 1927. This event sparked a flame that would eventually lead her to take to the air. But Nancy's dream of flight didn't end with her achievements. No, her dreams included other women embracing the opportunities that flight offered. 

World War II created a need for pilots, which Nancy sees being filled by women. But breaking into this male-dominated world is not an easy task. Though the women were skilled and well-trained, they did not get the respect their skills deserved. 

This book is not only Nancy's story but that of the WASPs (Women's Airforce Service Pilots).

This is the history of a fight for respect.

This is not a short read—approximately 400 pages—but it is well worth the time spent. I think it would make an excellent book club choice or a high school book report. For those who commute, this book is available as an audiobook, and Nancy Peterson's reading is excellent. The book is 14 hours and 11 minutes, so perfect for a long road trip.

I was provided a complimentary copy of the print book with no expectations but that I provide my honest opinion. All thoughts expressed are my own.

About the Book:

Based on a true story and set against the backdrop of WWII, a young woman’s love of flying becomes an epic fight for identity and equality.

In the quiet town of Houghton, Michigan, sixteen-year-old Nancy Harkness discovers a passion that ignites her heart in ways she never expected. The arrival of barnstormer pilots brings more than just the thrill of their daring stunts; it brings the promise of adventure. Nancy vows she will be a pilot someday.

Years later, as the dark clouds of World War II gather on the horizon, Nancy’s dreams take a new and daring turn. With unwavering determination, she envisions a squadron of female pilots. Yet, her path is far from clear. The male-dominated world of aviation pushes back, determined to keep women out of the skies.

But Nancy isn’t alone in her quest for equality. Jackie Cochran, a formidable aviatrix and Nancy’s rival, has her own dreams and ambitions for women in aviation. As they both navigate the turbulent skies of a nation at war, their destinies intertwine in a story of rivalry, respect, and competition.