Amy Johnson: Queen of the Air

by Midge Gillies

In May 1930, Amy Johnson, a typist from Hull, took off from Croydon Airport with a thermos flask and a packet of sandwiches to try to beat the world solo record to Australia. She arrived, sun-blistered and with grease on her face, after weeks of flying a second-hand, open-cockpit biplane with no radio communication and the most basic of maps. Her adventures inspired a world struggling with the devastating effects of the Depression and made her into a celebrity overnight. She married Scottish playboy Jim Mollison, and together 'The Flying Sweethearts' broke records, mixed with the Mayfair Set, Amelia Earhart and Hollywood stars. But her tempestuous marriage was soon to crumble and she resumed her love affair with speed, taking up gliding and rally driving, and finding solace with a French millionaire. Her plane disappeared over the Thames Estuary during the Second World War, sparking rumours which are still being investigated today. Her body was never found.

Genres: Biography, Aviation, History, Nonfiction, Historical

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

Reviews

[For Books' Sake · Rating 4 out of 5]

There are a few biographies of Johnson. But Queen of the Air, with extracts from newly discovered letters and interviews with surviving family members, is the most thorough. Yet despite this extra detail, Gillies’ pacey, engaging style means that this biography never gets dull. Gillies brilliantly juxtaposes the glamour and the grit of Johnson’s life, from her Schiaparelli flying suits and glitzy social circle, to crash landings and the harsh realities of flying solo across the world.

(Excerpt from full review of Amy Johnson: Queen of the Air at For Books' Sake)

[Lukrezia Cosimo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating. Particularly the early part of Johnson's aviation career, where she is flying alone and without radio, is completely compelling. She wasn't an easy person to like, but perhaps not surprising considering the single-mindedness needed to take on the challenges she did. Her life touches me too because she was from Hull, like my mother, and went for a time to the same school (although much earlier). She had her first flying lesson on my mother's first birthday.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit bias on this one, Amy and I share Hull as the place of birth.
This was a really easy book to read, highlighting the conditions and attitudes of the pioneering years of aviation. The book is a frank and honest account of Amy's life from childhood onwards. The biographer has clearly done some extensive research, the back pages of the book hold all kinds of notes referencing the sources of her information, I chose to read the book without refering intermittently to the back pages ( got a bit annoyed with two bookmarks in my book!).
There has always been some debate about Amy's eventual demise, but this book offers an account which seems reasonable, though I cannot help but feel sorry for the man (who for many many years) thought he had shot down one of the country's leading heroines. I recall growing up in Hull, Amy Johnson's name being held in high regard as one of the city's most famous and revered daughters, after reading this book, I have to say it is a well deserved reputation, truly inspirational true story.

[Jane Secker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Johnson was a really amazing woman and I was completely gripped by this account of her life. She is someone I knew fly around the world, but an inspiring person all around, who came from a relatively ordinary background. The mystery surrounding her disappearance over the Thames Estuary is put to rest, no she was not a spy, and it was just a tragedy. The book made me think a lot about the early days of aviation, how brave these pilots were and how particularly how pioneering women like Amy Johnson were.

[Shahrun · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did really enjoy reading this book. I didn't expect to, as when I have previously read similar books I haven't found them very interesting or easy to read.

I didn't really know too much about Amy Johnson before reading this book. Just her name and that she was a famous aviator (must have read a kids book on her when I was a kid). But, I felt when reading this book that it was quite well researched. I felt transported back in time to whe flying was new and exciting again. I liked the format that her 1st solo flight was written in. I also really like the way it book gave other information to what other avaitors were doing at the time and other related history. I liked the photos inluded (I always want more though). I was annoyed the 'notes' were at the end of the book and not at the bottom of the page they refered to. Made it too annoying for me to keep flicking back and forwards, so I quickly gave that up. I liked the inclusion of a basic map of her flights.

I felt that the last few chapters were a little rushed and jumped about in time a bit too much and so made reading them a little confusing for me. Overall, a very enjoyable book (apart from the tragic ending, which the author could do nothing about). It definitely leaves me wanting to read more about the period.

[Andrew Ives · Rating 5 out of 5]

An extremely thorough, well-researched and wonderfully well-written book of Amy's fascinating life story from beginning to end. At 414 pages, this is a lengthy read, and although a little verbose in places with history already telling us the outcome of many exploits, I never found the suspense lacking for a moment. The part where Amy lands in Australia is extremely touching and had me close to tears. The proofreading is impeccable too, although I wish Midge wouldn't treat commas like they are expensive, which leads to a few sentences requiring a re-read. I enjoy how she peppers the biography with noted events of the era, such as King Kong, Fred Perry winning Wimbledon, the Sydney Harbour bridge being built, which adds nicely to the ambience. The photos are a welcome addition, although there are other notable photos mentioned in the text that are not included in the book which is a slight disappointment. As for Amy herself, I am completely in awe at her achievements during that (quite short) pre-war era. Although she does become a bit of a cow once money and fame come her way, this isn't necessarily a bad thing in a biography. Books don't come much better than this. 4.75/5

[Karim Lalani · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book while researching my biography of Amy, UNTO THE SKIES and I can see why Midge Gillies book on the subject has been so widely lauded as the definitive biography. It's a lengthier and sometimes more verbose telling of Amy's story, and as other reviewers on this site have alluded to, it combines the details of Amy's flying achievements and often troubled private life with a social documentary on the times in which she lived. Someone who achieved as much as Amy Johnson did, deserves more than one biographer, and I found this a thoroughly enjoyable read as much as it was a vital source of research. It can rightly said on the eve of the 90th anniversary of Amy landing at Darwin that this book set the standard future biographers of Amy Johnson should meet and one which I tried to emulate.

Definitely worth a re-reading. A superb biography!

[DAVID CROCKER · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book because, as a part time flier, I wanted to know more about Amy. I've always wondered why she isn't more widely acclaimed. Amelia Earhart is far better known, though mostly for getting lost. Midge Gillies' style is a bit self-consciously 'writerly': as though she is trying to prove something about herelf. I found this distracting and unnecessary. Amy's story doesn't need elaboration.

[Ellen Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really interesting story of someone from history who was a great aviator. Really enjoyed it.

[Amy (folkpants) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read if you’ve never heard of Amy Johnson. Would have loved some more details of her flying.

[Roddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely brilliant biography.

[Melissa Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned a lot, but this book was very dry

[Amy Flint · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth a read!

[Esty · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wie viele andere Biografien auch, hat mich dieses Buch gelangweilt und ich kam einfach nicht voran. Wer mit Biografien und/oder Sachbüchern Schwierigkeiten hat, sollte die Finger davon lassen, es wird niemanden bekehren. Habe es ziemlich bald abgebrochen.