MAGNIFICENT WOMEN AND FLYING MACHINES

A rousing salute to the pioneering women of aviation

Author Sally Smith Publisher The History Press Price £20 Released Out now

Much has been written on the history of aviation and its visionary pioneers, but the vast majority of that focuses on a select group of men. In Magnificent Women and Flying Machines, Sally Smith redresses the balance and turns the spotlight on the trailblazing and inspirational women who chased their own dreams of flight.

From the first balloon ascent of Georgian England’s Letitia Sage to Lady Mary Heath and Lady Mary Bailey’s record-breaking long-distance flights in Africa, astronaut Helen Sharman and beyond, this book celebrates the women who defied both convention and expectation to forge new paths far above the earth. Smith brings the women vividly to life and examines not only their triumphs but also the challenges they faced in realising their ambitions.

Some of the names are familiar but many will be new to all but the keenest of aviation history enthusiasts, and Smith gives each her time so shine.

This is a celebration of achievements that have been ignored for too long. Those looking to delve deeper into some of the stories Smith features will find plenty of places to start in the bibliography, and in addition to in-depth studies she includes potted histories of several other women who made their mark on aviation. Magnificent Women and Flying Machines should appeal to a broad range of readers, from aviation enthusiasts to those who just love a good story of trailblazers against the odds.