In 1942; with war raging on two fronts and military pilots in short supply; the U.S. Army Air Force enlisted a handful of skilled female aviators to deliver military planes from factories to air bases--expanding the successful program to include more than one thousand women. These superb pilots flew every aircraft in the U.S. Army Air Force--including B-26s when men were afraid to--logging more than siz million miles in all kinds of weather. yet when World War II ended; their wartime heroism was left unheralded. In 1961; with the dawn of the space age; a handful of top female pilots took part in a new program termed "Women in Space." Subjected to the same rigorous tests as the Mercury astronauts; thirteen women--top-notch pilots--were admitted to the program. Once again women had reason to dream...that at least oneof them would be the first of their sex in space. The matter went as far as Congress; where dramatic hearings included testimony from astronauts John Glenn and Scott Carpenter. But their hopes were dashed. These skilled aviators had the "right stuff" at the wrong time; and again women were denied their place in history. This is their story; one of courage; ferocity; adn patriotism.
#488489 in Books 1998-05-26 1998-05-26Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 8.00 x .90 x 5.20l; .70 #File Name: 0375750231432 pages
Review
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. A sequel I couldnt wait for!By SandraAfter reading Lenin's Tomb; I was eager to read Remnick's follow up book about the struggle within Russia. I could not put Lenin's Tomb down - it was that compelling and absorbing. This book a bit less so; but it was still fascinating to follow the push and pull of politics and public sentiment in Russia.11 of 11 people found the following review helpful. A spry journey into the bleak whirlwindBy Gene ZafrinCompared to "Lenin's Tomb"; this book is decidedly less thrilling. For the most part; it is not the author's fault: in "Lenin's Tomb" he got to talk about Lenin; Stalin and Gorbachev; about Sacharov and early Solzhenitsyn; about the Bolshevik coup of 1917 and military/KGB revolt of 1991. Russian history of that period was as rich and colorful as it was bloody and tragic. "Resurrection" is concerned with a much shorter period between 1991 and 1996; and has to deal with Yeltsin; Zhirinovsky; Zyuganov; Russian new rich and new poor; the bleak cultural scene: most subjects in focus dreadfully pathetic. On the other hand; the book itself fails to step up to the base. The numerous portraits of politicians almost completely lack any mention of their program; a surprising choice for a Washington Times correspondent. The fact that the president-parliament confrontation of 1993 was ostensibly provoked by Yeltsin; who unconstitutionally declared the dissolution of parliament; does not merit more than a mention in the book. The common perception of Yeltsin-the-hero-of-'91 is never questioned; even though after his gridlock on Chechnya his ousting of Gorbachev and ascension to Russia's throne looks more like a land grab.The book's longer chapters betray a slower pace of events. The novelty of the rising curtain was gone and everyone expected the play to begin. The action proved to be underwhelming. 1991: the country is fascinated by Yeltsin; a drinking boor; 1993: a quarter of the country votes for the dimwit Zhirinovsky; 1996: a quarter of the country votes for the dull communist Zyuganov; a xenophobe and anti-Semite who "forgot" about the millions murdered under Stalin; and saw much positive in Stalinism. Then the leader in popularity is general Lebed; an ignorant and renegade guerrilla; and also an anti-Semite. The country is corrupt and criminal beyond belief. It is waging a bloody war in Chechnya where its army is openly murdering civilians. Its leading religious figures; such as Alexander Men; are assassinated. Its renowned writers of the second half of the century; such as Gelman and Bitov; are as lost as their poor country; while the new generation is modeling itself on beacons such as Prigov; whose projects include preparing an edition of Eugene Onegin "replacing all the original adjectives with 'insane' and 'unearthly'". Considering all this; Remnick does not seem to make a case for his hope for Russia's resurrection.Remnick's language is still as enjoyable as ever and the narrative flows. The book is very much readable and it leaves a lasting impression.24 of 24 people found the following review helpful. Well Worth ItBy John G. HilliardThis book bills itself as a history of the past 10 years after the fall of the Soviet Empire; and it does just that. There is no denying that the author; David Remnick is the king of current Russian society structure. The book not only focuses on who has power and what hey are doing with it; but it digs deeper down to the Joe everybody and what it is like to live in a country that continues to fall into lower and lower standards of living. As far as who has the power now; that is a mix of old political cronies and new upstart organized crime figures with a few brave capitalists thrown into the mix.This is a well thought out and constructed book and keeps you interested. Just when you have had a good dose of heavy economic issues we go to the war in Chechnya; which keeps the pace up. He has peppered the book with interesting interviews and massive dose of good old fashion reporting. You can tell he worked very hard on this book; there is nothing left in the air. Each conclusion or statement is backed up in the writing. You also get the true love he has for the country and the people; the emotion comes through the writing and makes the book more then just a historical report. The writing is very good and challenging; this is not a book you can read and watch TV at the same time; you really need to and want to sink your teeth into it. If you are looking to learn something and enjoy it at the same time then this would be a very good buy.
