Customer Reviews

The Girls from Hangar B

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
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1 star:		(0)

 

 

An outstanding read! I had a hard time putting the book down just to go to work.

Ms Nail weaves the lives of the four roommates together in such a way that reader can truly get the feel of the difficulties and patriotism of the WWII era.

I highly recommend this book.

In 1943 across the United States, necessity being the mother of invention, the manufacturing side supporting the war efforts advertises for women to fill blue-collar positions. Experience is unnecessary. The companies want women with a willingness to work harder than the men the females replace do.

In Seattle, several women accept the challenge at the Boeing airplane factory though their reasons for leaving home and taking the jobs vary. Four of these women share a home. Twenty-eight years old Amazon Annie Tosh left Coos Bay because she cannot sit still while her siblings and her fiancé Howard fight the Axis powers. Mid twenties prostitute Sparkle Melody sees this job as a second chance if she can stay away from the Johns. African-American Birdie traveled across the country to obtain work to feed her four kids. Teenager Gloria Westfall, a pampered female, whose wealthy parents want to shield from the realities of war, needs to aid the war effort n order to prove something to herself. Together this group will learn that building planes is easier than constructing healthy relationships.

THE GIRLS FROM HANGAR B is an appealing historical fiction novel that looks back at the home front during World War II through the eyes of several Rosie the Riveters. The story line uses historical tidbits to paint a relationship drama between the four lead characters as well as other people they meet on and off the jobs. Though not loaded with action, readers who delight in this character study concerning the recent American past. The audience will treasure Kristin Campbell Nails homage to one of the most influential periods in the womens rights movement.

Harriet Klausner

Set in WW II Seattle, The Girls From Hangar B follows four eager, patriotic women who were selected at random to work in the factories while America's men went to war. A Scandinavian redhead; an African-American mother of four; a rich, academic young woman; and an ex-prostitute - each woman is radically different in looks and history, and each one knows nothing about building, yet each is about to begin labor on some of the most complicated machines of the era. A wonderful tale of the enduring bond between female friends, The Girls From Hangar B is a testament to the strength of the collective human spirit.

Kristin Nail has a style of writing that literally grabs you by the coat tails and pulls you into the storyline. Her characters are so vivacious and real you feel as if you've met them at many points in your lifetime. Her way of describing a scene will at times crack you up and then have you weeping big daddy tears with empathy over a character or a particular scene. Kristin is an amazing writer and her first novel, The Girls From Hangar B, is a definite five star selection!! I hope I don't have to wait too long for her next one!!!