When Harriet Hall graduated from medical school in 1970 and entered the Air Force, she was in a distinct minority. As the second woman ever to do an Air Force internship, she had to fight for acceptance. Even a patient's 3 year old daughter proclaimed, "Oh, Daddy! That's not a doctor, that's a lady." She was refused a residency, paid less than her male counterparts, couldn't live on base, and couldn't claim her husband as a dependent because he wasn't a wife. After six years as a general medical officer in Franco's Spain, she became a family practice specialist and a flight surgeon, doing everything from delivering babies to flying a B-52. She earned her pilot's license despite being told "Women aren't supposed to fly," and eventually retired from the Air Force as a full colonel. She is witness to an era when society was beginning to accept women in traditionally male jobs but didn't entirely like the idea yet. A somewhat warped sense of humor kept her afloat, and it spices the stories she tells about her own experiences and the patients and colleagues she encountered.
Women Aren't Supposed to Fly
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Harriet Hall was a pioneer: a physician, a pilot, and an Air Force flight surgeon when there were few women in medicine and still fewer in the military. Now retired, she lives in Puyallup, Washington and writes about pseudoscience and alternative medicine as The SkepDoc. She has two grown daughters and a long-suffering husband who has become expert at dealing with uppity women.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
An interesting and entertaining autobiography by a female physician who was unique in her career as an Air Force flight surgeon and a private pilot. The ground-breaking events that culminated in her retirement as a full colonel would be of special interest to those who follow medical and military memorabilia.
Dr. Hall's writing skill and her ability to communicate in a clear and humorous fashion offers a pleasant reading experience for those of us who simply want a behind-the-scenes look at a life that is truly extraordinary.
Dr. Hall's writing skill and her ability to communicate in a clear and humorous fashion offers a pleasant reading experience for those of us who simply want a behind-the-scenes look at a life that is truly extraordinary.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By scott-gamer
Format:Paperback
Dr. Hall's memoir made me laugh at places, and curse all idiots who automatically think women are incompetent simply because they are women (or vice-versa). Despite that, she succeeded at what she wanted to do, and didn't let it affect her outlook on life. This book reminds me a bit of Richard Feynman's "Surely you're Joking, Mr. Feynman".
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
By Dr. S.
Format:Paperback
Well written, story moves right along, fascinating topic. Loved it. A reminder of how far we've come in just the last few decades.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
A gripping, funny, heartwarming autobiography of an American Hero.
In addition to being a real page turner, this book should be required reading for anyone contemplating a career in medicine and/or the military. Read more
Published 9 months ago by Ullrich Fischer
5.0 out of 5 stars
A fascinating memoir
This is a fascinating memoir of one of the first female flight surgeons and the battles she endured not only in the Air Force and earning her pilot wings, but also in medical... Read more
Published on April 30, 2011 by Andy Shuping
1.0 out of 5 stars
self indulgent
Not particularly enlightening or realistic if you have a background in medicine, particularly in the armed forces. Fanciful and self indulgent.
Published on June 15, 2010 by D. Ayoub
4.0 out of 5 stars
Enjoyable.
This is an enjoyable book (though it could have used a bit more editing).
Dr. Hall went into medicine just after women started to be accepted as doctors, and in the... Read more
Dr. Hall went into medicine just after women started to be accepted as doctors, and in the... Read more
Published on June 7, 2010 by Chris Haynes
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dr. Hall's Book Funny, Sad, Entertaining
Dr. Harriet Hall's book is a well-written, smoothly flowing autobiography of a woman who wouldn't let the system beat her down. Read more
Published on November 26, 2009 by Newf Person
4.0 out of 5 stars
Reasonably good.
Dr. Hall's book is engaging and humorous enough in parts that I laughed out loud, which happens far too infrequently these days. Read more
Published on October 29, 2008 by Schwa
