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Amelia Earhart's Daughters: The Wild And Glorious Story Of American Women Aviators From World War II To The Dawn Of The Space Age – A History of Courage, Heroism, and the Right Stuff
In 1942, with war raging on two fronts and military pilots in short supply, the U.S. Army Air Force enlisted a handful of skilled female aviators to deliver military planes from factories to air bases--expanding the successful program to include more than one thousand women. These superb pilots flew every aircraft in the U.S. Army Air Force--including B-26s when men were afraid to--logging more than siz million miles in all kinds of weather. yet when World War II ended, their wartime heroism was left unheralded. In 1961, with the dawn of the space age, a handful of top female pilots took part in a new program termed "Women in Space." Subjected to the same rigorous tests as the Mercury astronauts, thirteen women--top-notch pilots--were admitted to the program. Once again women had reason to dream...that at least oneof them would be the first of their sex in space. The matter went as far as Congress, where dramatic hearings included testimony from astronauts John Glenn and Scott Carpenter. But their hopes were dashed. These skilled aviators had the "right stuff" at the wrong time, and again women were denied their place in history. This is their story, one of courage, ferocity, adn patriotism.
322 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 31, 2009
Ever since seeing a program on PBS about the WASP in WWII, I've been fascinated by their story. I've now read "Yankee Doodle Gals", which was more a picture book geared toward middle-school readers, and Jackie Cochran's autobiography, and now this one. The first half is about the WASP and the groups that led up to their formation; most of this information had been in the PBS show. I wish this book had included more of the individual stories of the women and some of their memories of the times spent in training or in the service.
But the second half of the book is about women in the space age. I'd been unaware that during the Mercury space program, women were also being tested for the astronaut corps. But the times were against them and for several reasons, NASA declined to include them, despite the fact that women were actually better suited for long-term flights (requiring less oxygen, food and living space).
In Tom Wolf's "The Right Stuff", he brought up the issue the male astronauts had with control of the spacecraft - they did not want to be viewed as just a passenger while the craft was controlled automatically; they wanted to be flying it; they were test pilots, after all. The women had no such issue; they would have been pleased to be given the chance to go into space whether they were doing the flying or just riding a rocket.
But the second half of the book is about women in the space age. I'd been unaware that during the Mercury space program, women were also being tested for the astronaut corps. But the times were against them and for several reasons, NASA declined to include them, despite the fact that women were actually better suited for long-term flights (requiring less oxygen, food and living space).
In Tom Wolf's "The Right Stuff", he brought up the issue the male astronauts had with control of the spacecraft - they did not want to be viewed as just a passenger while the craft was controlled automatically; they wanted to be flying it; they were test pilots, after all. The women had no such issue; they would have been pleased to be given the chance to go into space whether they were doing the flying or just riding a rocket.
March 7, 2017
I truly enjoyed this book. It's one of those books you can read again, & still learn something new.
It's broken into 2 parts:
1. The formation of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, aka WASP, who were female ferry pilots during WWII; and
2. The Mercury 13 - where Jerrie Cobb, & a group of 12 other women went through some of the same testing that the Mercury astronauts did, to see if a woman might also have the Right Stuff.
I've done quite a bit of reading lately about the Mercury 13, but this was the first time I read anything about the WASP. All I can say is, these women were STUDS! What an inspiration. I can't wait to learn more about these women.
I read this book in the hopes my opinion of Jackie Cochran would change, as she was one of the 2 women involved with forming the WASP. (Nancy Harkess Love had formed the WAFS first, which was later expanded into the WASP.) Unfortunately, Cochran's pattern of putting herself first was yet again on display in full force. She screwed the WASP too (by not folding them into the WAC, which would've given these women military benefits) just like she did the Mercury 13, all because she wouldn't/couldn't be in control. She is truly a sad figure.
I am still torn on how I feel about Jerrie Cobb too. She wanted so desperately to go to space, that it became an obsession. This obsession led her to alienate quite a few people along the way-- but I don't think she was nearly as malignant or vindictive as Cochran was. I think she fell in love with her public persona as space lady, so much so that she refused to see that it could never happen for her. Cobb eventually sequestered herself to South America, where she ran food & medical supplies to the natives there.
I'd like to thank Ms Haynsworth for writing this book. I've met so many new & exciting women because of her, that I cannot wait to find out more about them.
It's broken into 2 parts:
1. The formation of the Women Airforce Service Pilots, aka WASP, who were female ferry pilots during WWII; and
2. The Mercury 13 - where Jerrie Cobb, & a group of 12 other women went through some of the same testing that the Mercury astronauts did, to see if a woman might also have the Right Stuff.
I've done quite a bit of reading lately about the Mercury 13, but this was the first time I read anything about the WASP. All I can say is, these women were STUDS! What an inspiration. I can't wait to learn more about these women.
I read this book in the hopes my opinion of Jackie Cochran would change, as she was one of the 2 women involved with forming the WASP. (Nancy Harkess Love had formed the WAFS first, which was later expanded into the WASP.) Unfortunately, Cochran's pattern of putting herself first was yet again on display in full force. She screwed the WASP too (by not folding them into the WAC, which would've given these women military benefits) just like she did the Mercury 13, all because she wouldn't/couldn't be in control. She is truly a sad figure.
I am still torn on how I feel about Jerrie Cobb too. She wanted so desperately to go to space, that it became an obsession. This obsession led her to alienate quite a few people along the way-- but I don't think she was nearly as malignant or vindictive as Cochran was. I think she fell in love with her public persona as space lady, so much so that she refused to see that it could never happen for her. Cobb eventually sequestered herself to South America, where she ran food & medical supplies to the natives there.
I'd like to thank Ms Haynsworth for writing this book. I've met so many new & exciting women because of her, that I cannot wait to find out more about them.
June 20, 2008
There are so many strong, adventuresome women in our past. Made me want to look some of these women up and listen to their stories in person. And it made me want to get back in the cockpit!
February 11, 2018
Given that the book began with women watching the 1995 Space Shuttle flight piloted by Lt. Col. Eileen Collins, I expected the book to cover the time span up to that point in as much detail as it did the rest of aviation history for females. (I guess I hadn't read the second part of the book title at that point). I almost feel like there needs to be a volume 2 to discuss women finally being selected for and participating in the astronaut program and what they experienced while in that in addition to the history of which women flew what missions and leading up to the end of the Space Shuttle missions.
That said, I found the history interesting and found myself being drawn back to reading the book time and time again when I should have been doing something else. These women truly were pioneers for their time and inspirations for the next generations of women in air and space. (Those interested can read more about the early women astronaut testing in "The Mercury 13".)
That said, I found the history interesting and found myself being drawn back to reading the book time and time again when I should have been doing something else. These women truly were pioneers for their time and inspirations for the next generations of women in air and space. (Those interested can read more about the early women astronaut testing in "The Mercury 13".)
September 5, 2019
Leslie Haynsworth has written a wonderfully informative book about women aviators of the USA, and the pushback they faced in spite of their excellent records as pilots. It's a story of talent, determination, joy of flying, courage, disappointment, and inequality (in their benefits). The injustice will likely make your blood boil. And Haynsworth shines light on the USA's failure to follow through with a historic opportunity--- to put the first woman into space. Instead, a Soviet woman, far less qualified than the American women who had been extensively tested in the same way as the Mercury 7 astronauts. Of course there are many possibilities for the reasons behind these unjust treatments, but it certainly seems like more of the same inequalities for women who do the same job as men (as well as men. . . or better). There are some wonderfully colorful and inspiring characters in this book and I highly recommend it.
February 26, 2024
A very good story, just not very well told. Too often reading as if from the pages of People magazine, Amelia Earhart's Daughters too often presents the heroes of this story as if prom queen candidates, giving us much attention to make-up as to flying experience. So concentrate on the remarkable story of these remarkable women who made their mark in World War II as pilots and after in pursuit of their continued dream of flight. It's their story that makes the grind of the writing tolerable.
November 11, 2022
Excellent history of the women aviators who started flying against society's expectations and helped in wars without much commendation for their actions. Interspersed with heroic tales of the men in the space program, keeping them 'in their place' as much as they could. Would have liked less history about the men and more emphasis on the women.
May 15, 2025
Good book-it starts during WW II with the ferry pilots and WASP, which I have already read a lot about. Goes into the space race. Where women fought to be astronauts and of course failed. 😞 It wasn’t until the 1990’s that US women got to go to space.
July 14, 2017
Makes me Want to time travel and meet these people. Amazing, courageous and persistent, overcoming incredible prejudice, barriers and odds.
May 21, 2025
fantastic
January 19, 2012
A very readable, inspiring history of American women in aviation. The book is divided into 3 parts. The first part starts in the early years of aviation, but is primarily a history of the WASP, a civilian branch of the Air Force during WWII. The female aviators provided ferrying services, but some women also dragged targets for anti-aircraft gun training, as well as tested new aircraft. The book contains several stories of the military using female aviators to demonstrate new planes in order to minimize fear of new technology in male pilots. The WASP was conceived and administered by two female aviators, Nancy Harkness Love and Jackie Cochran. At the end of WWII, while equivalent organizations in the Army and Navy were militarized and the women in those services given benefits equivalent to their male counterparts, but the WASP was disbanded and the women dismissed.
The very short second part of the book is a transition between WWII and the beginning of the space program, which covers the midlife of Jackie Cochran and the childhood of Jerrie Cobb.
The third part of the book focuses on the sixties and early seventies and efforts to get women into the American space program. Thirteen women, including Jerrie Cobb, passed the same physical, psychological, and medical tests that the Mercury astronauts underwent. In the end the primary reason that women were not permitted in the program was that they had no experience as test pilots or as jet pilots. At that time the primary route to such experience was the military aviation academies, and no women were accepted to those academies. Meanwhile, in the Soviet Union, Valentina Tereshkova, a young female parachutist with no piloting experience was recruited and spent 3 days in space. The book concludes by tying up some loose ends of the lives of the many women described in the book. The first female astronauts were accepted into the space program in 1978, and in 1982 Sally Ride was the first American woman in space.
2012 #16
The very short second part of the book is a transition between WWII and the beginning of the space program, which covers the midlife of Jackie Cochran and the childhood of Jerrie Cobb.
The third part of the book focuses on the sixties and early seventies and efforts to get women into the American space program. Thirteen women, including Jerrie Cobb, passed the same physical, psychological, and medical tests that the Mercury astronauts underwent. In the end the primary reason that women were not permitted in the program was that they had no experience as test pilots or as jet pilots. At that time the primary route to such experience was the military aviation academies, and no women were accepted to those academies. Meanwhile, in the Soviet Union, Valentina Tereshkova, a young female parachutist with no piloting experience was recruited and spent 3 days in space. The book concludes by tying up some loose ends of the lives of the many women described in the book. The first female astronauts were accepted into the space program in 1978, and in 1982 Sally Ride was the first American woman in space.
2012 #16
May 20, 2015
Sadly, I’m among that unfortunately under-informed group of people who never gave much thought to the existence of female aviators in World War II, military or otherwise. This highly readable book details the motivations, struggles, and lives of women who were often trained better than men and in some cases had more hours in the air, but who were never afforded full military honors for work that was both as necessary and dangerous in some respects as that done by the guys.
You’ll read with interest about the in-fighting and turf guarding among the most preeminent of the female navigators. You’ll read about their successes, and you’ll shake your head in wonder when you read about congressional hearings whose purpose was to determine what the role of female navigators should be in the war effort. Congress, as it turns out, was more than a bit skittish about the negative publicity the military would have to face if the press learned that a female aviator had crashed while conducting military business. Ultimately, the women were put to use, but not always credited or recognized for their accomplishments for years after the war.
The final sections of the book focus on the years between the war and the Mercury space program. It looks at 13 women who were selected to enter the space program, but who never did. Never mind that the Soviets sent a female Communist Party secretary with very little aeronautics training into space.
It may no longer be Women's History Month as I write this, but there's just no wrong time to read the book.
You’ll read with interest about the in-fighting and turf guarding among the most preeminent of the female navigators. You’ll read about their successes, and you’ll shake your head in wonder when you read about congressional hearings whose purpose was to determine what the role of female navigators should be in the war effort. Congress, as it turns out, was more than a bit skittish about the negative publicity the military would have to face if the press learned that a female aviator had crashed while conducting military business. Ultimately, the women were put to use, but not always credited or recognized for their accomplishments for years after the war.
The final sections of the book focus on the years between the war and the Mercury space program. It looks at 13 women who were selected to enter the space program, but who never did. Never mind that the Soviets sent a female Communist Party secretary with very little aeronautics training into space.
It may no longer be Women's History Month as I write this, but there's just no wrong time to read the book.
May 5, 2010
For some reason I've been seeing a lot of stores in the paper and in magazines about the WAFs/WASPs. Maybe it's because just like our WWII soldiers, they're of an age to be leaving us.
Although I'm not sure what page I'm on at the moment, I'm about 4 chapters into the book and I can already tell I'm going to be sorry to see the last page.
**********
I've finished the book. It is a sad thing to see it end, and the way it ends, too. Despite the efforts of several of the WASPs, there was no woman in the astronaut program for many more years to come.
Most of them went back to their lives and many of them never flew a plane again.
I'm looking forward to the day that accomplishments are celebrated for what they are and not because it was the first woman or the first Indian, or the first Japanese American. Then, I think, there will be good forward motion.
Although I'm not sure what page I'm on at the moment, I'm about 4 chapters into the book and I can already tell I'm going to be sorry to see the last page.
**********
I've finished the book. It is a sad thing to see it end, and the way it ends, too. Despite the efforts of several of the WASPs, there was no woman in the astronaut program for many more years to come.
Most of them went back to their lives and many of them never flew a plane again.
I'm looking forward to the day that accomplishments are celebrated for what they are and not because it was the first woman or the first Indian, or the first Japanese American. Then, I think, there will be good forward motion.
July 11, 2010
The untold story of the women who took on the men in aviation during WWII to perform dangerous but critical duties for the war effort--and their ultimately unsuccessful efforts to do the same for the space race.
July 13, 2012
A wonderful description of the beginnings of women in flight as aviators. Especially good detail and insight into the work during the Second World War of the WASP and the WAV. A lead-up to women in space.
September 29, 2010
Women did so much in WWII and got so little credit. Good book.
December 21, 2011
This book was really good. I liked all the personal stories intertwined with historical facts. These women are actual heros and role models.
December 23, 2011
This book is much more about aviation history than women's history. Lots of details on flight patterns and planes that I didn't understand or need.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews