Stars of the Sky, Legends All: Illustrated Histories of Women Aviation Pioneers - Softcover

Ann Lewis Cooper

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0760333742 ISBN 13: 9780760333747

Publisher: Zenith Press, 2008

Synopsis

With the full force of culture and convention ranged against them, women have nonetheless been taking to the air almost from the first. And because of all the obstacles they have faced, these women in aviation have had to show a rare degree of courage, ambition, and skill.

Stars of the Sky celebrates these women--the wildly daring, the pioneering, and the implacably determined--and their remarkable achievements. In profiles illustrated by aviation artist Sharon Rajnus, accomplished writer and flight instructor Ann Cooper introduces readers to fifty female stars of the sky.

Among these women are many firsts (first black female aviator, first female aircraft designer, first woman to fly solo around the world, first female Airline manager, and first female Thunderbolt pilot). Rajnus also profiles women who have made singular contributions, from a flight surgeon and a daredevil sky-writer to an Eskimo Bush pilot and air traffic controller, as well as record setters such as a long-distance record holder, a Hellcat test pilot, and a golden age Air Racer.

The pictures and stories in Stars of the Sky bring these women, their personalities, their passion for flying, and their legend-worthy experiences to clear, colorful, and vibrant life.

About this title

Book Description

With the full force of culture and convention ranged against them, women have nonetheless been taking to the air almost from the first. Stars of the Sky celebrates the wildly daring, the pioneering, and the implacably determined women who have made their mark in aviation. Fifty illustrated profiles recount the accomplishments of women who were the first to fly solo around the world, pilot a USAF Thunderbird, manage an airline, and design aircraft, as well as the singular contributions of others, from a flight surgeon and a daredevil sky-writer to an Eskimo Bush pilot, air traffic controller, and golden age Air Racer.

From the Back Cover

Women have been integral to the history of aviation from its start. Despite diverse backgrounds and differing talents and inclinations, women have performed and succeeded at a variety of essential roles: pilot, navigator, air traffic controller, engineer, mechanic, executive, financier, astronaut. Determined to participate and contribute, they have shared many essential characteristics – Courage and Conviction, Competence and Compassion, Communication and Commitment, Character and Competition, Curiosity and Conquest. While alike in these important qualities, each is a unique individual.

Readers who seek excitement, bravery, and accomplishment in their heroines will find them in the remarkable episodes in STARS OF THE SKY, Legends All. Each story underscores the enviable strengths of an amazing woman, an individual passionately involved in living life fully. Each is esteemed by her peers and has followed her own pathway to success. STARS OF THE SKY links their similarities and exposes their differences.

Each story — a pivotal event in the life of one who braved the sky — has been captured by Ann Cooper in compelling prose. Sharon Rajnus, in artwork created for this book, has convincingly and artistically depicted these incredible achievers. Read their stories, admire their accomplishments, and learn from their exploits.

 

“No book could be more appropriate to Ann’s skills than this one, STARS OF THE SKY, Legends All, for she has her finger on both the pulse of the nation and the steady heartbeat of aviation history. Ann combines an understanding of aviation with a deeply felt empathy for those women who have made real contributions to the discipline.”

 

—Walter Boyne, Author, Historian,
Former Director of the National Air &
Space Museum, Smithsonian,
2007 Enshrinee in National Aviation Hall of Fame.

 

“Sharon Rajnus is the perfect choice for the creation of art documenting stories of Women in Aviation. Sharon is not only an accomplished artist and a superb watercolorist with long experience painting aviation subjects, she has been both pilot and artist for over thirty years.”

—Keith Ferris, Founder and Past
President, American Society of
Aviation Artists.

About this edition

• Publisher: Zenith Press
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0760333742
• ISBN 13: 9780760333747
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 160
• Illustrator: Sharon Rajnus