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Lady Flyer

ebook
1 of 1 copy available
1 of 1 copy available

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.

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    • Library Journal

      August 1, 2024

      When the United States enters World War II, proficient aviator Nancy Harkness, the subject of the new historical novel from Moore (The Paper Daughters of Chinatown) becomes a passionate advocate for getting women pilots involved in the war effort. Heading up the Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron (the WAFS, later part of the WASPs), Harkness stands up to sexist military personnel and endures endless personality conflicts with the equally impressive aviator Jacqueline Cochran, who has her own ideas about how best to get women in the air. Harkness also experiences firsthand how dangerous aviation still is, as even a simple training flight can easily end in a pilot's death. Moore's passion for telling Harkness's story and dedication to her research are apparent, though at times the narrative is slightly bogged down by the sheer amount of detailed and sometimes repetitive information, including lists of pilot names, types of aircraft, and accounts of numerous bureaucratic meetings. Moore does succeed, however, in capturing the squadron's determination and bravery in the face of skeptics and in creating a memorable portrait of Harkness as an inspiring feminist pioneer. VERDICT Recommended for historical fiction readers who enjoy both the WWII home front setting and learning about real-life remarkable women.--Mara Bandy Fass

      Copyright 2024 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

    • Booklist

      August 1, 2024
      The lady flyer is Nancy Harkness Love, an accomplished pilot who established the Women's Auxiliary Flying Squadron during WWII. Moore (Under the Java Moon, 2023) follows Nancy's aviation adventures from her student days to her first job as a transfer pilot, during which her employer, Bob Love, becomes a staunch supporter of her career and, eventually, her husband. As the war in Europe intensifies, Nancy and another American aviatrix, Jackie Cochran, advocate for having women pilots fly bombers from the factories to military bases, freeing up male pilots for combat roles. However, their philosophies and approaches differ radically, leading to a rivalry that is exploited by the press and the military. Moore dramatizes the sexism Nancy and other women pilots experienced during and after the war, from rules barring women from flying while menstruating to infantilizing media coverage of "girl pilots." Moore's fans will relish her trademark meticulous research and warm portrayal of Nancy and Bob's love story and the close bonds formed between the women pilots, more than 30 of whom lost their lives in service of their country.

      COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

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  • English

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