Jackie Cochran: An Autobiography [Hardcover]

Jacqueline Cochran (Author), Maryann Bucknum Brinley (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1987

Second Library copy- San Diego Air and Space Museum

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Excerpts here from the late Cochran's own accounts of her flying exploitsshe died in 1980alternate with adulatory quotes from friends and associates testifying to the extraordinary vitality (despite poor health) and indomitable spirit of the world-famous aviatrix and business entrepreneur. By dint of sheer energy and determination, the teenage orphan escaped the poverty of Florida migrant sawmill camps and, forsaking nursing for hairdressing, moved to New York City. She soon acquired a chain of beauty salons and founded a cosmetic company that bore her name. Her career in aviation stemmed from her marriage to tycoon aircraft manufacturer Floyd Odlum, and she subsequently broke more speed, altitude and distance records than any other pilot, male or female, in aviation history. During World War II, Cochran created WASPS, a women's plane-ferrying corps, lobbied for a separate air force and served as a consultant to NASA. Brinley, who assembled this book, is a freelance journalist. Photos not seen by PW. BOMC selection.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Cochran won numerous honors and set more distance, speed, and altitude records than any other woman aviator. She organized the WASP (Women's Airforce Service Pilot) program in World War II and was the first woman to break the sound barrier. She was a phenomenon in flying and was truly a self-made woman. She overcame a childhood of poverty to start her own successful cosmetics company. The book combines autobiography with important biographical information supplied by "other voices." This technique provides insight and a variety of opinions and facts from personal friends. Cochran died in 1980, but her mark on aviation history is well communicated here. Highly recommended. William A. McIntyre, New Hampshire Vocational-Technical Coll. Lib., Nashua
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 358 pages
• Publisher: Bantam; 1ST edition (July 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 055305211X
• ISBN-13: 978-0553052114
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #818,630 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, amazing woman!, March 18, 2003

By 

Jrobby (TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Jackie Cochran: An Autobiography (Hardcover)

Jackie Cochran was a personal hero of mine before I even read this book. Despite some grammar errors (Jackie never claimed to be a professional writer) Ms. Cochran's outstanding personality shines through every page. As a pilot and a woman, I loved reading about Jackie's adventures in the air. She led an amazing life and had incredible courage and abilities. I would recommend this book to anyone, of any age, who likes to read about real heroes.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Mostly Fabricated, September 13, 2009

By 

Tara (Utah) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Jackie Cochran: An Autobiography (Hardcover)

I don't know about everybody else, but when I pick up an autobiography, I want the truth. If I want fiction, I pick up a fiction. Knowing what I do about aviation and its history and yes, even mechanics, I started having some doubts about whether this was a true story or not and came online to do my research. My suspicions proved true. As a fellow reviewer already stated, Jackie's childhood is fabricated. She was not really an orphan, but was born Bessie Lee Pittman with two parents. She did, indeed, grow up on mills in Florida but apparently, her food and clothing situations were greatly exagerated. She did not wear a flour sack or starve. Seeing as her entire childhood is fabricated in order to I suppose, gain public sympathy, I don't doubt that some of her accomplishments may be somewhat exagerated as well.. Are we really supposed to believe that a woman that didn't make it thru the second grade managed to solo fly and dead stick land a plane a mere 48 hours after first sitting in one? Not to mention, she manages to fly to Canada without even knowing what a compass is. If this is true, I hope the school that issued her license has since been shut down. Scary to think there may be pilots up there that don't know what they're doing!

I won't deny this was an amazing woman that set a lot of records and paved the way for other women in aviation, but I want an honest account of her life, not just a good story.

Also something I am curious about is how she managed to conveniently leave out the fact she was married once before Floyd (to a man named Robert Cochran.. that is how she got the name, not from a phone book) and had a 5 year old son that burned himself to death in her backyard. I think that is something that belongs in one's autobiography.

I made to page 100 and felt like I was reading mythology.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars caution - this book is not the last word on Jackie Cochran, November 23, 2008

By 

Christian F. Hansen - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Jackie Cochran: An Autobiography (Hardcover)

Readers should know that Lt. Col. Jacqueline Cochran made up her entire early life, presumably to get ahead, which she certainly did. She was able to keep this secret until after her death. Do look it up; aviation historians have known it for some years.
Apart from that, this is an absolutely terrific read, both for aviation and biographical reasons. Cochran was a ferocious competitor who reputedly cussed a blue streak contrail after her. Knowing the truth about her adds a certain ghoulish quality to this book as you read it.