Spitfires : the American women who flew in the face of danger during World War II / Becky Aikman.
"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 With cinematic sweep, Becky Aikman follows the stories of nine of the women who served, drawing on unpublished diaries, letters, and records, along with her own interviews, to bring these forgotten heroines fully to life.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"-- Provided by publisher.
Record details
- ISBN: 9781635576566
- ISBN: 1635576563
- ISBN: 9781639739349
- Physical Description: xv, 345 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 24 cm
- Publisher: New York : Bloomsbury Publishing, [2025]
- Copyright: ©2025
Content descriptions
- Bibliography, etc. Note:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 289-333) and index.
- Formatted Contents Note:
- Prologue -- The North Atlantic passage -- A cobra in a hurricane -- Fly anywhere, anytime -- A foreign legion of the air -- The concrete -- Leftover parts -- The impossible turn -- The whole glorious feast -- Behind the façade -- The legendary Spitfire -- Playing chicken with a violent end -- Coming and going -- The fabled mischief of Ratcliffe Hall -- Her heart is involved -- Stepping up to the upper class -- Invitation from a lady -- Dicing with death -- The drumbeat of fatality -- Eyes wide open -- The bomber boys -- The shock of the familiar -- A parachute of faith -- Grounded -- Flying under a lucky star -- Her future at stake -- The world-shaking day -- Good girl -- Eager for the air -- C'est la vie -- Spinning into a new reality -- What now? -- "The Spitfire brought me home" -- On top of the world -- The look -- Epilogue -- Acknowledgments -- Bibliography -- Notes -- Index.
Search for related items by subject
- Subject:
- Great Britain. Air Transport Auxiliary > History.
Women air pilots > United States > History > 20th century.
World War, 1939-1945 > United States > Participation, Female.
World War, 1939-1945 > Aerial operations, Great Britain.
World War, 1939-1945 > Campaigns > Western Front.
Spitfire (Fighter plane) > Biography. - Genre:
- Biographies.
Informational works.
Available copies
- 36 of 43 copies available at NC Cardinal. (Show)
- 1 of 1 copy available at Onslow County Public Library.
Holds
- 1 current hold with 43 total copies.
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville Main Library | 940.5449 AIK (Text) | 36015000742946 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
Accessibility Features
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| 245 | 1 | 0. | ‡aSpitfires : ‡bthe American women who flew in the face of danger during World War II / ‡cBecky Aikman. |
| 246 | 3 | 0. | ‡aAmerican women who flew in the face of danger during World War II |
| 264 | 1. | ‡aNew York : ‡bBloomsbury Publishing, ‡c[2025] | |
| 264 | 4. | ‡c©2025 | |
| 300 | . | ‡axv, 345 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : ‡billustrations ; ‡c24 cm | |
| 336 | . | ‡astill image ‡bsti ‡2rdacontent | |
| 336 | . | ‡atext ‡btxt ‡2rdacontent | |
| 337 | . | ‡aunmediated ‡bn ‡2rdamedia | |
| 338 | . | ‡avolume ‡bnc ‡2rdacarrier | |
| 504 | . | ‡aIncludes bibliographical references (pages 289-333) and index. | |
| 505 | 0 | . | ‡aPrologue -- The North Atlantic passage -- A cobra in a hurricane -- Fly anywhere, anytime -- A foreign legion of the air -- The concrete -- Leftover parts -- The impossible turn -- The whole glorious feast -- Behind the façade -- The legendary Spitfire -- Playing chicken with a violent end -- Coming and going -- The fabled mischief of Ratcliffe Hall -- Her heart is involved -- Stepping up to the upper class -- Invitation from a lady -- Dicing with death -- The drumbeat of fatality -- Eyes wide open -- The bomber boys -- The shock of the familiar -- A parachute of faith -- Grounded -- Flying under a lucky star -- Her future at stake -- The world-shaking day -- Good girl -- Eager for the air -- C'est la vie -- Spinning into a new reality -- What now? -- "The Spitfire brought me home" -- On top of the world -- The look -- Epilogue -- Acknowledgments -- Bibliography -- Notes -- Index. |
| 520 | . | ‡a"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"-- ‡cProvided by publisher. | |
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| 650 | 0. | ‡aWomen air pilots ‡zUnited States ‡xHistory ‡y20th century. | |
| 650 | 0. | ‡aWorld War, 1939-1945 ‡zUnited States ‡xParticipation, Female. | |
| 650 | 0. | ‡aWorld War, 1939-1945 ‡xAerial operations, Great Britain. | |
| 650 | 0. | ‡aWorld War, 1939-1945 ‡xCampaigns ‡zWestern Front. ‡0(CARDINAL)258752 | |
| 650 | 0. | ‡aSpitfire (Fighter plane) ‡vBiography. | |
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| 655 | 7. | ‡aInformational works. ‡2lcgft ‡0(CARDINAL)351103 | |
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