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Nerves of Steel: How I Followed My Dreams, Earned My Wings, and Faced My Greatest Challenge Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

4.8 out of 5 stars 1,477 ratings

Audiobook-exclusive bonus content includes a Q&A between Tammie Jo Shults and narrator Tavia Gilbert and a recorded speech detailing the events of Flight 1380.

Nerves of Steel is the captivating true story of Tammie Jo Shults’ remarkable life—from growing up the daughter of a humble rancher, to breaking through gender barriers as one of the Navy’s first female F/A-18 Hornet pilots, to safely landing the severely crippled Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 and helping save the lives of 148 people.

Tammie Jo Shults has spent her entire life loving the skies. Though the odds were against her, she became one of the few female fighter pilots in the Navy. In 1994, after serving her country honorably for eight years, Tammie Jo left the Navy and joined Southwest Airlines in the early 1990s.

On April 17, 2018, Tammie Jo was called to service once again. Twenty minutes into a routine domestic flight, Captain Shults was faced with the unthinkable—a catastrophic engine failure in the Boeing 737 caused an explosion that severed hydraulic and fuel lines, tearing away sections of the plane, puncturing a window, and taking a woman’s life. Captain Shults and her first officer, Darren Ellisor, struggled to stabilize the aircraft.

Drawing deeply from her well of experience, Tammie Jo was able to wrestle the severely damaged 737 safely to the ground. Not originally scheduled for that flight, there is no doubt God had prepared her and placed her right where she needed to be that day.

Bring the story to life with photos available in the audiobook companion PDF download.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

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  1. Listening Length
    8 hours and 27 minutes
  2. Author
    Captain Tammie Jo Shults
  3. Narrator
    Tammie Jo Shults - introduction, see all
  4. Audible release date
    October 8, 2019
  5. Language
    English
  6. Publisher
    Thomas Nelson
  7. ASIN
    B07PXN4TS8
  8. Version
    Unabridged
  9. Program Type
    Audiobook
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Product details

Listening Length 8 hours and 27 minutes
Author Captain Tammie Jo Shults
Narrator Tammie Jo Shults - introduction, Tavia Gilbert
Whispersync for Voice Ready
Audible.com Release Date October 08, 2019
Publisher Thomas Nelson
Program Type Audiobook
Version Unabridged
Language English
ASIN B07PXN4TS8
Best Sellers Rank #57,044 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals)
#186 in Biographies of Religious Figures
#255 in Military & War Biographies (Audible Books & Originals)
#577 in Biographies of Women

Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
1,477 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this autobiography inspirational, highlighting the author's strong faith and perseverance. The book is well-written and engaging from beginning to end, with insightful information about aviation training and the right amount of detail. Customers appreciate the author's character development and determination throughout her journey.

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125 customers mention "Inspiration"123 positive2 negative

Customers find the book inspirational, highlighting the author's strong faith and her wonderful example of perseverance.

"A thank you to her parents for nurturing her strengths and weaknesses and instilling in her the importance of inviting Jesus into her heart...." Read more

"...training, that provided with the “where with all” to be successful throughout her life as she moved forwards and upwards in life, her flying..." Read more

"...can both understand them and learn life lessons from them such as resiliency and how hard work pays off...." Read more

"...The emotions in this book will have you hooked, there were times are I was honestly tearing up when I was reading it because it was Anger, happiness..." Read more

107 customers mention "Readability"107 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, describing it as an awesome, interesting, and enjoyable read.

"I bought the paperback version of this book. The book is an excellent book with insightful information regarding aviation training...." Read more

"An wonderful book that takes us through the author’s childhood where the roots of her faith in God are planted by her loving parents...." Read more

"...It's a truly excellent book, and far more than just one person's autobiography." Read more

"At every moment of this thrilling book, Southwest Airlines Captain Tammie Jo Schultz shows us that our worth comes from our relationship with God,..." Read more

75 customers mention "Story quality"75 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's story engaging from beginning to finish, describing it as an amazing recount of God's providence and a lifetime of adventures.

"...In the end, it’s an uplifting story and something we could all learn from...." Read more

"...I found her book to be fascinating, educational and inspirational...." Read more

"...And her story is so worth telling; inspiring and giving hope...." Read more

"Tammie Jo gives a realistic account of following her dreams. There are no coincidences in life…everything has a reason and a purpose...." Read more

48 customers mention "Writing style"48 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing style of the book, describing it as wonderfully written and easy to read, with one customer noting how the exact wording lifts the curtain to her life.

"...be possible lol, but she’s a very inspirational person, a very inspirational writer, and I would recommend this book to anybody" Read more

"...I much preferred Highest Duty - Chesley Sullenberger. Vastly less preachy, vastly less whiny." Read more

"...have stated - Nerves of Steel is 'awe-inspiring, motivational, wonderfully written, very powerful account of an extraordinarily stupendous role..." Read more

"...Not to mention that it is incredibly well written and I'm really grateful she was able to share her story. Totally worth every penny and more!" Read more

18 customers mention "Aviation expertise"18 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the aviation expertise in the book, with multiple reviews highlighting the insightful information about training, and one customer describing it as a tour of the military and airline aviation world.

"...It is evident that Captain Shults is a true aviation professional who cares deeply about her family and her faith...." Read more

"...The book is an excellent book with insightful information regarding aviation training...." Read more

"...After an amazing career in the navy she becomes a pilot at Southwest Airlines and again is subjected to harassment by the old boys club...." Read more

"...is apparent her family, her will, her love of flying, her flight engineering intelligence, her experience, and yes, her faith, all built to the..." Read more

18 customers mention "Education"18 positive0 negative

Customers find the book educational, providing just the right amount of information and being awe-inspiring, with one customer particularly noting the impressive military training process described.

"...I found her book to be fascinating, educational and inspirational...." Read more

"...It was interesting to follow the steps in her career and to see how each one prepared her to be the correct person in the correct seat, on the..." Read more

"...As other reviewers have stated - Nerves of Steel is 'awe-inspiring, motivational, wonderfully written, very powerful account of an extraordinarily..." Read more

"...Tammie Jo Schults is a wonderful role model for all of us! Her determination, willingness to share her faith and trust in God was inspirational...." Read more

15 customers mention "Pacing"13 positive2 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with several noting the author's never-giving-up attitude throughout the narrative.

"...She is (and always has been) great at articulating her experiences, drawing you into her world...." Read more

"The fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control)..." Read more

"...Her handling of SWA Flight 1380 is so compelling. How she remained calm and so in control during this flight is explained in a way that will warm..." Read more

"...She has such a calming presence. She values people and she expresses that in the way she speaks to you. Great book Tammie Jo!" Read more

13 customers mention "Character development"13 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book, describing the protagonist as an awesome person and an amazing female pilot.

"...If you're secular, not sexist, and realistic...not so much. This book comes across extremely religious...." Read more

"...I have flown with Tammie Jo in the past, she is such an amazing person! She has such a calming presence...." Read more

"...She is a great person, a superlative aviator, and a great writer. The book is riveting." Read more

"...She’s an amazing woman, human being and aviator. Thank God she was in the right place at the right time with the right training...." Read more

Arrived a little torn up.
4 out of 5 stars
Arrived a little torn up.
The book came in a nice box, but a little torn up. Plus a Walmart sticker on the dust cover that I can’t remove. Still 100% readable, but disappointing.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Leatine Fasano
    5.0 out of 5 stars A testimony to the grace of Gof
    Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    A thank you to her parents for nurturing
    her strengths and weaknesses and instilling in her the importance of inviting Jesus into her heart. Very inspiring and encouraging.
    Helpful
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  • Peanuts
    5.0 out of 5 stars Recipe for Greatness
    Reviewed in the United States on January 18, 2025
    Verified Purchase
    Tammie Jo lays out all the teaching, habits, training, that provided with the “where with all” to be successful throughout her life as she moved forwards and upwards in life, her flying career and as a child of God. Her parents blessed her great daily training to be capable in school, through college and through her exceptional flying career. The importance of good habits, trying your best always, setting your sights on a goal and expecting to achieve is the recipe for success.
    Helpful
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  • Ray
    5.0 out of 5 stars Believe, believe, believe in yourself (and the Bible)
    Reviewed in the United States on July 13, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    People and systems in power can make it hard or not-so-hard for persons to move ahead in life. Bad luck (i.e., “acts of God”), on the other hand, can happen to anybody; bad luck is not discriminatory. How a person responds to obstacles and bad luck can define that person. In the case of Tammie Jo Shults, that response was of courage, calm and faith.

    Ms. Shults was the chief pilot on Southwest Airlines Flight 1380 (a twin-engine Boeing 737) that suffered an engine blow-out at 32,000 feet on a flight between New York City and Dallas with 149 people aboard. She and her co-pilot brought the plane down safely in Philadelphia with only one loss of life, a woman who was half-sucked out of a window that had shattered. That was an incident of very bad luck that happened to Ms. Shults, which she describes in detail in her memoir/autobiography, but it is really her life preparation that allowed her to deal with her “greatest challenge” that her book is about.

    From her being raised on a farm and caring for animals, moving several times around the country (mainly in the Southwest), seeing jet fighters training in the sky above her as a child, going off to school and college, and making a career choice, Ms. Shults tells us she had the kind and positive support of her parents. She also grounded herself by regularly keeping a journal of her life and reading the Bible with a deep belief in Jesus.

    That foundation helped her deal with multiple instances of gender discrimination, especially when she tried to enlist in the military and later in her civilian career as a pilot. Only the Navy would accept her, and she faced numerous obstacles as she tried to advance in her specialty as a pilot. Even after she left the Navy and got signed on with Southwest Airlines as a pilot, her advancement was stymied by an unfair firing and she had to file a grievance to present her case and get her job back.

    In the end, it’s an uplifting story and something we could all learn from. Also, for me it’s wondering if I would be fit and worthy, and have anywhere near Ms. Shults’ strength and faith, when my greatest challenge comes.
    5 people found this helpful
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  • Jack Turtle
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, Educational & Inspirational
    Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    I remember the day that SWA1380 had the uncontained engine failure. Being interested as I was, I reviewed the preliminary information and listened to the ATC audio recordings. I was saddened by the loss of life but I was very impressed with how the crew handled the emergency. I recently got Captain Shults’ book and was expecting it to be all about the SWA1380 flight but I was wrong.

    Captain Shults starts by telling how she grew up and when she became interested in aviation. She explains her experience going through Navy pilot training then discusses her flying jobs with the Navy. She tells about a flight when she had an airborne emergency which she was able to land safely and walked away. Then, she shares about her time at Southwest Airlines, including the SWA1380 accident, which was very interesting to hear her point of view. It is evident that Captain Shults is a true aviation professional who cares deeply about her family and her faith.

    I found her book to be fascinating, educational and inspirational. She tells her stories so anybody, even people outside the aviation world, can both understand them and learn life lessons from them such as resiliency and how hard work pays off. Once I started reading her book, I didn’t want to put it down. Even with my hectic schedule, I finished it in a day and a half. I highly recommend reading this book to anybody who would like to be inspired and/or has an interest in aviation!
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Consumer
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent and informative
    Reviewed in the United States on September 25, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I bought the paperback version of this book. The book is an excellent book with insightful information regarding aviation training. My only complaint is that in the paperback version the print is way too small.
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  • Sam Zack
    5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational book, you will not want to put this down
    Reviewed in the United States on February 8, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I’m not that much of a reader, but I will tell you that I could not put this book down and I read it in just under three days.

    The trials and turmoil that this woman has gone through in order to get to where she is in her career, is absolutely astronomical. Between barriers that people have put up, she has been able to overcome them, and, using the example she uses in the book, when one door is closed, she’s able to knock, and it’s unlocked.

    The emotions in this book will have you hooked, there were times are I was honestly tearing up when I was reading it because it was Anger, happiness, and pure joy for what she has accomplished.

    I hope someday I get to meet her in person, no clue how that would be possible lol, but she’s a very inspirational person, a very inspirational writer, and I would recommend this book to anybody
    3 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • VB
    5.0 out of 5 stars Real life heroism!
    Reviewed in India on September 24, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Amazing story of a wonder woman who inspires action and result oriented thinking !
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  • Mr. K. Videan
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books I've bought.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 5, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Extremely well written, as an aviation enthusiast I've had visits to some of the places Tammie Jo did her flying training at, so it was nice being able to relate to the locations. The amount of knocks that Tammie Jo took while following her dream and to get up again after each one really took a lot of determination. Brilliant.
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  • Nallely Hernandez
    5.0 out of 5 stars Even better than what I taught
    Reviewed in Canada on November 15, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I knew this was going to be a good read but since I started reading the first chapter, I discovered it was that and way more than I expected. I devoured this book.
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  • Client d'Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars EXCELENTE 😍
    Reviewed in Spain on January 31, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Captain Shults habla de sus aventuras como piloto de caza y más tarde de aerolínea, y de las dificultades que tuvo que superar por el simple hecho de ser mujer.

    Es todo un ejemplo de superación, fe y humildad !
    Customer image
    Client d'Amazon
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    EXCELENTE 😍

    Reviewed in Spain on January 31, 2021
    Captain Shults habla de sus aventuras como piloto de caza y más tarde de aerolínea, y de las dificultades que tuvo que superar por el simple hecho de ser mujer.

    Es todo un ejemplo de superación, fe y humildad !
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  • MS
    5.0 out of 5 stars Lo recomiendo
    Reviewed in Spain on January 2, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    Buenísimo
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