Spitfires

The American Women Who Flew in the Face of Danger during World War II

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Pub Date May 06 2025 | Archive Date Apr 30 2025
Bloomsbury USA | Bloomsbury Publishing

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Description

"A bold and soaring work of history . . . whip-smart, deeply researched, and beautifully written.” -Jonathan Eig, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of King: A Life

“A soaring narrative.”-Keith O'Brien, New York Times bestselling author of Fly Girls

The heart-pounding true story of the daring American women who piloted the most dangerous aircraft of World War II through the treacherous skies of Britain.

They were crop dusters and debutantes, college girls and performers in flying circuses-all of them trained as pilots. Because they were women, they were denied the opportunity to fly for their country when the United States entered the Second World War. But Great Britain, desperately fighting for survival, would let anyone-even Americans, even women-transport warplanes. Thus, twenty-five daring young aviators bolted for England in 1942, becoming the first American women to command military aircraft.

In a faraway land, these “spitfires” lived like women decades ahead of their time. Risking their lives in one of the deadliest jobs of the war, they ferried new, barely tested fighters and bombers to air bases and returned shot-up wrecks for repair, never knowing what might go wrong until they were high in the sky. Many ferry pilots died in crashes or made spectacular saves. It was exciting, often terrifying work. The pilots broke new ground off duty as well, shocking their hosts with thoroughly modern behavior.

With cinematic sweep, Becky Aikman follows the stories of nine of the women who served, drawing on unpublished diaries, letters, and records, along with her own interviews, to bring these forgotten heroines fully to life. Spitfires is a vivid, richly detailed account of war, ambition, and a group of remarkable women whose lives were as unconventional as their dreams.

"A bold and soaring work of history . . . whip-smart, deeply researched, and beautifully written.” -Jonathan Eig, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of King: A Life

“A soaring narrative.”-Keith O'Brien, ...


Available Editions

EDITION Other Format
ISBN 9781635576566
PRICE $31.99 (USD)
PAGES 384

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Featured Reviews

There is a wonderful movement right now in history where more books are being published that focus on women's stories. I am always up to read about someone or something which has generally been overlooked. The one issue I have noticed is that some authors will forget to make their subjects human. A tendency towards heroine worship leads to bland books that strip the humanity from people who were complicated and often do not fit neatly into contemporary narratives. Luckily, Becky Aikman does not fall into this trap with her exceptional Spitfires.

The book focuses on American women pilots who ferried aircraft in England at the beginning of World War II. The job was obviously dangerous and these women had to go to England because the U.S. was not allowing women to be pilots in the war effort. Aikman makes two decisions here which make the book such an easy and enjoyable read. First, she doesn't get caught in the minutiae of the war and the planes. She keeps her descriptions short, sweet and gets back to the truly important part of the narrative, the women themselves.

As mentioned, Aikman presents these women as the complex humans they are with warts and all. One is a closeted lesbian whose singular focus makes her hard to engage with. Another is a relentless social climber who refuses to connect with her fellow pilots. One is the quintessential partyer who spends as much time at the bar as she does flying. All of them are also driven at a time when their options were few and their ambition made them stand out for both good and bad. Aikman masterfully juggles many different characters but doesn't overwhelm the reader. It is a delicate balancing act, but she nails it and the book is that much better for it.

(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Bloomsbury USA.)

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