Jackie Cochran: Pilot in the Fastest Lane

by Doris L. Rich

Overview

"In Doris Rich’s latest aviation biography, barefoot, illiterate Bessie Pittman reinvents herself as Jacqueline Cochran, the brash beautician who set more speed and altitude records than any pilot in history. . . . Rich illuminates the lesser-known facts of this under-appreciated pioneer and lights a belated candle for her too."—Air and Space

 

“History has proven Earhart to be the favorite, but Cochran undoubtedly was the superior pilot: determined to be not just the best woman pilot but to be the best pilot, period, she broke countless aviation records for speed, altitude, and distance. . . . Rich gives Cochran her rightful place in aviation history.”—Publishers Weekly

“Often combative and abrasive, Cochran is a true American legend, and Rich’s biography will ensure that Cochran’s contributions will not be forgotten.”—Booklist

 

“At the time of her death on August 9, 1980, Jacqueline “Jackie” Cochran—recipient of America’s Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Legion of Merit—held more speed, altitude, and distance records (200-plus) than any other pilot, male or female, in the history of aviation. . . . Rich reminds us that this remarkable lady, despite her shortcomings, reached Mach 2—twice the speed of sound—piloting a Lockheed F-104 at the tender age of 58.”—Library Journal

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813035062
Publisher:	University Press of Florida
Publication date:	05/22/2010
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	294
Sales rank:	718,189
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Doris Rich was the author of Amelia Earhart: A Biography, Queen Bess: Daredevil Aviator, and The Magnificent Moisants: Champions of Early Flight.

Editorial Reviews

When asked by Amelia Earhart's husband what her ambitions were, Jackie Cochran sneered, "To put your wife in the shade." Cochran succeeded. History has proven Earhart to be the favorite, but Cochran undoubtedly was the superior pilot: determined to be not just the best woman pilot but to be the best pilot, period, she broke countless aviation records for speed, altitude and distance. In this biography, Rich (Amelia Earhart) documents the life of the first woman to break the sound barrier and who was instrumental in creating a fleet of female pilots (which she helmed) in World War II. Along the way, she also created a cosmetics company for which the motto was "Wings to Beauty." That's not to say that Cochran was always likable. She was scheming, manipulative and known to bend the truth so it would work to her advantage. Rich thoroughly researched Cochran's life, a challenge given that Cochran frequently created facts to best suit her needs (she said, for instance, that she was an orphan, a claim that has been disputed by her family). Aeronautics buffs will appreciate the details of the aircraft Cochran flew, and while the drama of Cochran's many harrowing flights and near-miss accidents is never fully realized, Rich gives Cochran her rightful place in aviation history. (Apr.)

Copyright 2007 Reed Business Information

Publishers Weekly

At the time of her death on August 9, 1980, Jacqueline "Jackie" Cochran—recipient of America's Distinguished Service Medal, Distinguished Flying Cross, and Legion of Merit—held more speed, altitude, and distance records (200-plus) than any other pilot, male or female, in the history of aviation. Journalist Rich's (The Magnificent Moisants: Champions of Early Flight) balanced appraisal of Cochran's early life and career relies heavily on its subject's voluminous papers (collected at the Eisenhower Presidential Library) and first-time interviews with Cochran's surviving siblings. Rich admits that Cochran's reputation as an arrogant, impatient, and demanding person is richly deserved, citing her abrasiveness as the undoing of several of her pet projects (e.g., her opposition to women's rights and to NASA's acceptance of female astronauts cost her many supporters). In the end, however, Rich reminds us that this remarkable lady, despite her shortcomings, reached Mach 2—twice the speed of sound—piloting a Lockheed F-104 at the tender age of 58. Her craftsmanlike biography of an altogether complex and controversial personality is highly recommended for women's studies and aeronautical collections and appropriate for all libraries.
—John Carver Edwards

Library Journal