Customer Reviews

Nancy Love and the WASP Ferry Pilots of World War II (North Texas Military Biography and Memoir Series)

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The book's title, "Nancy Love and the WASP Ferry Pilots of World War II" is a little misleading. I suggest it would be better tilted as a biography of Nancy Love because: 1) the book covers all of Nancy love's life; and 2) The pages on the Wasp ferry pilots is limited to Nancy's role in that organisation.
The book is detailed and a very interesting read for those whom have an interest in Nancy, and it should also interest those whom wish to discover some of the problems that faced a capable woman-pilot during World War 2.

An excellent book from the point of historical accuracy with full footnotes, bibliography, and exhibits. But,it is also enjoyable reading as a pure biography providing insights into the complexities of a wartime marriage with lengthy separations. The postwar trials of the Love family, while not unusual for a relationship of any duration, add depth to the story and make it more than just another World War II, or Rosie the Riveter book.

"Rickman's delightful writing style transports the reader right into the high-flying life of World War II pilot, Nancy Love. A compassionate, yet honest, focus on the human side of our hero makes this a captivating and educational read. Detailed research, including many first-hand interviews, gives Rickman a commanding grasp of her subject. Warfare, aviation, women's rights and family matters all join together for a portrait that informs and inspires."

This book is a well-researched and very readable account of Nancy Harkness Love and the female ferry pilots that made up the Women's Air Service Pilots (WASPs).

These courageous women ferried planes of all types from the factories to military bases. They did the job without military benefits, two-thirds the pay of civilian male pilots and a whole lot of ridicule and abuse.

While this story centers on Nancy Love's life before, during and after her flying career, it includes significant information on the WASPs and other prominent female pilots. When the War Department invited women to submit an application due to the shortage of male pilots, over 20,000 applied. Over 1,000 earned their wings and during the course of the War they ferried 12,000 aircraft of 78 different types. They towed target planes and flew damaged planes and ferried the new planes that men were afraid to fly. The WASPs lost 38 women killed in the line of duty.

This book pays tribute to their contribution in winning the War and to the woman whose inspiration, professionalism and refusal to be denied started the whole program!

The book has a robust bibliography, is well-sourced, contains a glossary of military terms, a table describing the different types of planes flown, numerous photographs and is fully indexed. This is a must read for any World War II buff and anyone else interested in how American women helped shape our victory in World War II.

John E. Nevola
Author of The Last Jump - A Novel of World War II

Award-winning author Sarah Byrn Rickman presents Nancy Love and the WASP Ferry Pilots of World War II, the fourth installment of the "North Texas Military Biography and Memoir Series" published by University of North Texas Press. Nancy Love and the WASP Ferry Pilots of World War II tells of the women who served their country as ferry pilots when the United States needed them most, during World War II. A trailblazing figure for women's service in the military along with her rival Jacqueline Cochran, Nancy Love was a dedicated and determined aviation enthusiast and served admirably as the Executive for the unified women's programs under the name Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP). Extensive notes, a glossary of military and airplane terms, and an index round out this captivating biography of a truly extraordinary woman aviator.

One who chooses to read this story presumably is interested in the subject matter. It is, indeed, a compelling story of a young woman who wanted to fly since riding a in barnstormer's plane as a teenager. Bartering and bargaining her way through flight lessons, she parlayed her love of flight into a job as head of the Women's Airforce Service Pilots of WWII. Along the way, Ms. Love managed to have a happy and fulfilling domestic life as well.
Ms. Rickman wrote the story based on hours of interviews and intensive document research. She did a great job of making factual/historical a good entertaining read. I laughed out loud at more than a few passages and felt a range of emotions as I read of the trials, thrills and perils of flying in the forties. Included are many nice photos showing the fashion of the day. "Ladies" wore dresses, silk stockings, and heels to pilot those airplanes. Imagine working the pedals and controls dressed like that. Sarah Rickman transports us in space and time with her vivid descriptions of open cockpits, near misses, and battles with the "boys' club" mentality. I recommend this book.