Spitfires: The American Women Who Flew in the Face of Danger During World War II

by Becky Aikman

Overview

"Lively and entertaining . . . Those fearlessly determined female pilots are the professional forebears of the women who would slowly break down barriers in the U.S. military in the decades that followed . . . And what forebears those women were." -The Washington Post

“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With cinematic sweep, Becky Aikman follows the stories of nine of the women who served, drawing on unpublished diaries, letters, and records, along with her own interviews, to bring these forgotten heroines fully to life.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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781635576573
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	05/06/2025
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	368
File size:	16 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.

About the Author

Becky Aikman is the author of two books of narrative nonfiction: her memoir, Saturday Night Widows, and Off the Cliff: How the Making of Thelma&Louise Drove Hollywood to the Edge. A former journalist at Newsday, Aikman has written for the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and other publications. She lives in New York.

Editorial Reviews

Timely. This lively and entertaining book by journalist and author Becky Aikman tells the story of the 'Atta-Girls,' a collection of American women who, after being rejected by the U.S. military because of their gender, crossed the Atlantic to aid British forces by ferrying fighter planes, bombers and other aircraft to the male pilots in front-line squadrons. Those fearlessly determined female pilots are the professional forebears of the women who would slowly break down barriers in the U.S. military in the decades that followed . . . And what forebears those women were.” —The Washington Post

“Becky Aikman has done us all a great favor . . . In Spitfires, Aikman lets us in on a little secret: a group of women crossed the ocean and put their lives on the line for the war effort in the skies over Europe. It's about time their story was told, which Aikman does beautifully. And suddenly the picture of American heroism is more complete.” —New York Journal of Books

“Aikman's amazing account brings the 'Atta-Girls' boldly to life. The star-crossed affairs and marriages, the gossip and the drama, the death-defying near-crashes and the heartbreaking fatal ones, the blackout partying in blacked-out London-if these fierce heroines don't show up on a limited series soon, we'll eat our hats.” —Oprah Daily

“Journalist Aikman draws on diaries, letters, and interviews to create a brisk, lively account of nine intrepid American women, among the 25 who joined Britain's Air Transport Auxiliary, the civilian arm of the RAF . . . Engaging portraits of a spirited crew.” —Kirkus Reviews

“An exciting well-documented read.” —Booklist

“Based on extensive research, Aikman richly details the stories of these dauntless women.” —Library Journal

“Aikman is adept at tackling the inner dynamics of female relationships, but the way she brings forward the inner lives of the 25 American women who found themselves piloting bombers and fighter jets from factories to air bases is perhaps her most impressive feat yet. Aikman's research is thorough . . . Spitfires truly enthralls.” —Bookpage

“A bold and soaring work of history, one that illuminates not just the lives of these courageous women but also the shifting social dynamics of a world at war. As intimate and enthralling as a novel, this book is whip-smart, deeply researched, and beautifully written.” —Jonathan Eig, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of KING: A LIFE

“A soaring narrative of a handful of women who wanted to choose their own path and ended up helping to change the world, Spitfires reminds readers of the obstacles that women faced-in the air and on the ground-during World War II, and what it took to overcome them. Becky Aikman puts these forgotten heroines back where they belong: in the cockpit, risking everything, to live the lives they wanted.” —Keith O'Brien, New York Times bestselling author of FLY GIRLS and CHARLIE HUSTLE

“An enthralling account of the World War II exploits of a group of audacious, hell-raising American women who risked their lives to ferry warplanes for the British. Displaying an abundance of courage and extraordinary flying skills, these female mavericks showed Allied military officials just what they were missing by barring women from flying in combat.” —Lynne Olson, New York Times bestselling author of MADAME FOURCADE'S SECRET WAR

“A rollicking ride through history, I couldn't get enough of the stories of these brave women defying convention and risking their lives in search of adventure and fulfillment. Empowering and inspiring, Spitfires brilliantly illuminates the incredible contributions of women pilots during WWII.” —Olivia Campbell, New York Times bestselling author of WOMEN IN WHITE COATS and SISTERS IN SCIENCE

“With prose that sweeps you across the Atlantic, Spitfires is the long overdue account of the brave and fascinating women who risked their lives flying during World War II . . . A must read not just for aviation buffs, but for anyone who appreciates a great tale of unsung heroism.” —Mary Pilon, New York Times bestselling author of THE MONOPOLISTS

“The stories of this daring cohort make for a heart pounding read. Readers will be sad to leave the spitfires at the story's end. But their adventure stays with the reader even so. Just look to the sky.” —Major General Mari K. Eder, author of THE GIRLS WHO STEPPED OUT OF LINE

“Combines meticulous research and vivid storytelling to craft an inspiring story about the resilience of the human spirit . . . It is a page-turning chronicle that reads like a novel . . . Becky Aikman has done an astounding job to make sure these women get their moment in the spotlight.” —Roseanne Montillo, author of DELIBERATE CRUELTY and ATOMIC WOMEN

“A grippingly lyrical and character-driven tribute to no-longer-forgotten heroes of the Greatest Generation.” —Catherine Grace Katz, author of THE DAUGHTERS OF YALTA

“The astounding and little-known story of the American Atta-Girls 'dicing with death' during WWII . . . Meticulously researched and utterly absorbing, Aikman's Spitfires is a real nail-biter!” —Shelley Puhak, author of THE DARK QUEENS

“With cinematic flair and emotional depth, [Aikman] captures not just the high-stakes action of wartime aviation but also the camaraderie, rivalries, and personal reinventions of these barrier-breaking women . . . This is an exhilarating and deeply human read.” —Arlington Magazine

“This book is the finest in aviation history: a sweeping narrative, deeply researched, and passionately written work that is sure to please and inform its audience . . . Any historian of air power studies or those interested in aviation in the Second World War will want a copy of this on their bookshelves.” —The Literary Aviatrix

“Entertaining and well-researched.” —WW II History Magazine

“A welcome reminder of women's roles in WWII and aviation. The impressive depth of research is matched with a keen ability to bring diverse personalities alive. I'll be encouraging fans of Kate Quinn and Pam Jenoff to read this one.” —The Southern Bookseller Review

“Becky Aikman's deeply researched and thoroughly entertaining book Spitfires traces the triumphs and defeats, tragedies and close calls, and rivalries and bonds of these women who accepted the challenge to serve in a war-torn country for 20% less pay than male pilots . . . These women come to life vividly, their feats recounted through suspenseful scenes and lyrical writing . . . Aikman's book is a fascinating tribute to a little-known group of women.” —Pittsburg Post-Gazette

“A fantastic and in-depth look into the lives of some inspiring and incredibly brave women . . . Aikman's writing was excellent, flowing smoothly and capturing my attention throughout . . . If you love learning about fierce, historical women and incredible aviation history, I would highly recommend stepping into this one!” —The 52 Book Club

“Spitfires is a soaring look at female flyers, including a legend from Long Island.” —Newsday

From the Publisher

2025-02-01
Women who dared.

Journalist Aikman draws on diaries, letters, and interviews to create a brisk, lively account of nine intrepid American women, among the 25 who joined Britain’s Air Transport Auxiliary, the civilian arm of the RAF. Unlike the U.S., which prohibited women from flying in the military, the U.K. was desperate for pilots. Responding to the need, star aviatrix Jackie Cochran sent invitations to 76 women with more than 300 hours of flying time, some as stunt flyers, crop dusters, or flying instructors. The American “Atta-Girls” came from widely varied backgrounds, from hardscrabble lives to high society; from America’s youngest flying instructor, at 21, to a 32-year-old, the oldest and most experienced, with 1,800 flying hours. All were ambitious, defiant, eager to reinvent themselves. “Professionally,” Aikman writes, “they mastered jobs that demanded technical expertise, physical strength, steely valor, and quick judgment.” The first group to arrive in 1942 were shocked by bombed-out cities, food deprivations, and the chilly British homes where they were billeted. There was a chilly reception, too, caused by a stark cultural disconnect between the boisterous Americans and the upper-class British women of the ATA. Aikman recounts the pilots’ friendships, romances, marriages, and losses, and the challenges they faced flying unfamiliar planes across unfamiliar terrain, sometimes in threatening weather. All confronted danger with every flight: “The knowledge that something as simple as an oil leak, a peculiar propeller mishap, a moment of inattention, or an unexpected conjuring of fog could bring about sudden, bolt-from-above death.” By 1944, the original 25 had been depleted to 13. Despite hardship and fear, though, they depicted their years as an Atta-Girl as nothing less than a “golden period” of their lives.

Engaging portraits of a spirited crew.

Kirkus Reviews