Becky Aikman

It’s an honor to be mentioned in the same breath as @davidgrann.bsky.social. So glad you liked the book!

Cool episode, with lots of interesting reading suggestions. Thanks!

Historical Non-Fiction — Lisa Yelon Amazing tales of survival and bravery!

New blog post: Dig in to these two great true stories from writers @davidgrann.bsky.social and @beckyaikman.bsky.social. #booksky #nonfic
www.lisayelon.com/blog/histori...

Thank you. A lot of moving parts.

I’m so glad you like these unruly women! Thanks for recommending them.

Short but fascinating. I had a great time talking history with Peter on @historyshortspod.bsky.social

Thank you for your kind words about “Spitfires”! Every one of them was a big personality in this saga, and Jackie Cochran brought her own special level to the mix. I had a blast writing it.

I hope you enjoy.

I appreciate your interest, Deborah!

Thanks for this honor!

Jackie Cochran was unstoppable. Thanks to her, the first American women to pilot military aircraft flew in Britain during World War II.

Any one of the American pilots could have been the inspiration for a movie, that’s how dramatic they were.

Jackie Cochran had a BIG personality. And that’s probably what it took to get the first American women pilots into military aircraft. They flew for Britain in WW2 because the US wouldn’t accept them.

This was a lively talk! Thanks for having me on to share this story that deserves to be remembered.

Talking about forgotten trailblazing women is the counter programming we need!

Monthly reminder: Many people have a book in them, but it takes a special kind of freak to leave the Land of Laziness, cross the Plains of Procrastination and Insecurity Mountain, find the Blade of No One Made You Do This, and use it to cut your chest open and yank that book out.

Homicide rates: NY 4.5, FL 7.2
Life expectancy: NY 79, FL 76.1
Uninsured rate: NY 4.8, FL 10.7

On this Memorial Day, I want to honor Mary Webb Nicholson. She was killed in the crash of a faulty RAF Miles Master fighter during WW II.

Mary was one of 25 American women pilots who flew for Britain during the war, because the U.S. military did not permit women to fly. (Photo courtesy her family.)

I’m so happy you liked it, Jo!

Review | A wild ride with the ‘Atta-Girl’ pilots who helped win World War II In “Spitfires” by Becky Aikman, the saga of wartime American women pilots comes vividly to life.

The @washingtonpost.com wrote a rave review for SPITFIRES!

www.washingtonpost.com/books/2025/0...

How a Group of Fearless American Women Defied Convention to Defeat the Nazis Twenty-five American women were part of a little-known corps that ferried planes for England during World War II. They had crossed the perilous wartime Atlantic in 1942 because the United States mi…

@beckyaikman.bsky.social on the “Atta-Girls,” the women pilots who chased adventure during World War II.

How a Group of Fearless American Women Defied Convention to Defeat the Nazis Twenty-five American women were part of a little-known corps that ferried planes for England during World War II. They had crossed the perilous wartime Atlantic in 1942 because the United States mi…

Love this piece by @beckyaikman.bsky.social up on @literaryhub.bsky.social, from Aikman's latest book, SPITFIRES. "Someday, the women all knew, if they survived the war, the door to modernity that had opened for them might close again." Just ordered & can't wait to read! lithub.com/how-a-group-...

I hope you enjoy the ride.

She was a trailblazer in so many ways. Lived the adventure to the fullest.

I hope you enjoy!

And what an adventure it was.

Today on the 80th anniversary of VE Day, marking the end of World War II in Europe, it’s time we honored the American women featured in SPITFIRES. They flew the biggest, fastest, scariest aircraft in Britain when they weren’t allowed to fly for their own country. It’s been 80 years people!

Thank you! A memorable line.

Ep 534-Becky Aikman Interview-Spitfires:The American Women Who Flew in the Face of Danger During WWII Podcast Episode · The History of WWII Podcast · 05/06/2025 · 40m

Listen to author @beckyaikman.bsky.social as she joins the History of WWII Podcast to discuss her new book SPITFIRES! Learn about the American women who flew during the war.

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...

Five years in the making, SPITFIRES is out today!