Overall, what did you think of "Fly Girls"? (no spoilers in this thread please)

Overall, what did you think of "Fly Girls"? (no spoilers in this thread please)

I really enjoyed this book and am glad that the author included some vintage photographs. I had been hoping (because of a female aviator who was a very dear friend of my mother's) that the book was going to include World War II era female pilots. The manner in which the book is written combines historic information as well a good story.

I thought the book was very readable and enjoyed it. The women were amazing. I knew nothing about them before reading this book.

An excellent book about a feisty and independent group of women, well before their time in many ways

Such an amazing book, well written and researched. The photos are a great addition and brings you closer to each female pilot. Would recommend this book to anyone! Thank you Keith O'Brien!

I enjoyed the book very much. It felt almost like it was written by a loving family member of these women (although they were not related to each other) who wanted to record , honor and retain the salient facts and details of this exciting time in the world.

I enjoyed this book and learned a part of history I knew nothing about. I can’t imagine the personalities of these women and the bond they shared. They were so ahead of their time.

I loved the book. As a woman and a pilot I felt obligated to read it during March, Women's National History Month. I was delighted that I did. I think Keith O'Brien captured the thrill and spirit of those early days. He also seemed to aptly convey their dreams and thoughts.

I loved this book. It was so exciting to learn of these successful women flyers who made an important contribution to aviation history. They are a true inspiration to women.

This book was inspirational. I had only surface knowledge about Amelia Earhart and had never heard of the other women. I was glad to learn about these amazing women. The book seemed very well researched.

Fly Girls is equal parts inspiration for all aviators, but especially women, and impressive historical research. O’Brien not only sheds light on the events that transpired, but explores the personalities and personal lives of these remarkable women. Their achievements are all the more astonishing given the state of aeronautical engineering and the sexism of the time. Bravo!

I found this a very interesting historical book about the early days of flight, how dangerous it was, what pushed some women into wanting to learn to fly and the increasing speeds and distances they were willing to try and go to to win over a man.

In the Opening Section the author captures the spirit, soul and character of each of the flyers. "Setting the table" the reader is eager to see how each of these women left her mark on the world of aviation.

I have just begun reading Fly Girls and I am intrigued already. I look forward to being able to participate more fully in the discussion when I have read further!

The book was informative and enjoyable to read. The addition of photos was an added bonus. As I read about each pilot I enjoyed looking up her picture.

I thought this was a fascinating and inspiring read. I knew Amelia Earhart’s name and that she disappeared, but I didn’t know anything about her background. The other female aviators were unknown to me and in many ways more interesting than Earhart. The prejudices that these women faced and how they overcame them is a truly inspiring story.

It was an interesting and readable book. Like most people I knew little about this group of women. Their stories were varied and interesting.

Overall, I thought Fly Girls was a highly readable reference to a time and topic I knew little about. I’ve read about Lindbergh, but knew little about Amelia Earhart’s history, especially her work in social services prior to her great flight around the world. I knew nothing of the other female pilots who risked so much to be able to fly early airplanes. Who would have guessed that these planes could crash land in a way that would allow the pilots to survive to fly another day. I was amazed by their willingness, and drive, to continue flying after an experience like that. I wish this would be required reading for students majoring in aeronautical engineering.

Although the stories of the five women aviators were compelling, what I liked most about the book was the insight I gained about early aviation. The background information that was included was fascinating and painted a very realistic picture of what life was like for those brave adventurers who opened the skies for future travel whether male or female.

I was thrilled to read about these ladies and their history. I learned so many things about the earlier years and how women were involved in aviation. Very good book and would highly recommend it to other readers especially history buffs.

This is an extremely well researched book about a topic I was unaware of, except for Amelia Earhart. Sometimes the facts got in the way of the story. Of unusual interest was the huge number of observers that would come to the flying events.

This was a slice of history, women's history, which has been overlooked. The book was well researched, well written and a pleasure to read. I loved the pictures! It was amazing that these women were so willing to risk their lives - either for adventure, notoriety or to prove that they are equals

I loved reading a book about women who pushed "boundaries" These are stories often left out of traditional history books. This book gave life and details to women who were hardly a footnote. I think it makes the reader realize that so much of history goes untold-especially when it is deemed unimportant by the people in control. I love that it shattered stereotypes.

I was a history major in college, but I never heard about the Fly Girls. Maybe textbooks are now including
their stories. I hope so.

So, I came to this book with an aviation background,well my husband’s the aviator and I’m along for the ride. So in 40 some years of marriage there have been a lot of airplane museums. There is always a section on the air races, and I don’t recall the focus being on the women to the extent of the men. My new goal is to search out the women. Overall, I think the book was an enjoyable read and my husband is waiting to grab it. Everyone knows the story of Amelia and so to learn the history of the other spotlighted female pilots was educational and entertaining. Very readable book.

Excellent read! I love history and it gives us so much in the descriptions of the era, the airplanes and the people. I have recommended it to my book group.

What a great book! I am discovering that I enjoy nonfiction, especially if it is as engagingly written as this. Some nonfiction that I’ve read really drags and can be more of a recitation of dates and facts, but Fly Girls read like fiction, with lots of personal information, exciting (although deadly) flying competitions, and many firsts for women. Loved it!

I loved this book. I always love history that keeps me captivated. I find myself stopping and researching people or places. I learned a lot by reading this book. And, you can't help love the ladies that paved the way for not only women in flying, but for the industry as well.