With females making up just 5% of the world’s pilots, this memoir crosses genres to combine aviation history, the author’s journey from unwanted child to successful pilot, and the feminist experience, and will appeal to multiple aviation communities.
“Don’t be silly! Girls can’t fly,” seven-year-old Lola’s father admonishes her as they fly across Canada on a commercial flight in 1962. She is crushed—but decides he must be right. She’s only ever seen male pilots, after all.
Highway to the Sky begins during the empty zone of women in aviation, a three-decade drought following WWII when men reclaimed the jobs that had been performed by women during the war and forced women back to diapers and dishes, where they “belonged.”
Despite Lola’s childhood desire to avoid the straitjacket of traditional female roles and become a pilot, her desperate need for unconditional affection after a lonesome childhood sways her determination. At age twenty, she leaps into marriage and motherhood. Four years, one toxic relationship, and one private pilot license later, she leaves her husband, even though she knows she’ll be censured by friends, family, and 1970s society at large.
Lola’s head-on battle with tradition continues as the lone female pilot in her advanced flight training program and on the job as a flight instructor, bush pilot, charter pilot, and commuter airline pilot between 1979 and 1993. Flying is challenging at times, yes—but her true obstacles are the hostility, sabotage, and discrimination she faces in her industry. She perseveres, however. Ultimately, flying is what gives her the courage to regain control of her life—and helps her find personal happiness.
Highway to the Sky is a poignant, captivating, and inspirational read that made me feel a lot of host of different emotions. This informative and stunning memoir is an incredible read that will shed light on women in the aviation industry and one woman’s extraordinary journey. Lola Reid Allin wonderfully shares her story which is full of many ups but also downs as we embark on a journey with her. It is a raw, inspiring, and beautifully written memoir that I believe all readers should have the pleasure of reading! That is why I already have to recommend this book to you lovely readers, however, if you need more convincing then continue to read to learn more about the wonderful Highway to the Sky!
Highway to the Sky is an exceptional book that will follow Lola Reid Allin through the many moments that shaped her life and how she found the courage to pursue her passion despite all the naysayers. Lola was just seven years old when her dream of being a pilot was crushed when her father told her that women couldn’t fly. Lola had no reason but to believe him and so she ignored her passion and fell into the gender norms society places on us and found herself married with a child. However, Lola found the courage to finally pursue her flying career and went on to become a successful pilot between 1979 and 1993. Lola’s story makes for a deeply moving and poignant one that shows you that despite all the challenges, you can overcome them and live your dream, and attain happiness. It makes for an unforgettable and inspiring read about one woman’s incredible story and a read that shouldn’t be missed!
The reader in Highway to the Sky will be whisked away on a journey like no other and Lola Reid Allin is so brilliantly descriptive about what she does that the reader will feel as if they are right there next to her, learning the life lessons she learns along the way and experiencing every moment she does, both the highs and lows on her journey to become a pilot. The reader, thanks to the author’s impeccable descriptions will feel as if they are right there and thanks to the author’s honesty and exploration of the experiences that shaped her life and career, the reader won’t be able to resist falling in love with Highway to the Sky, and that is why I love this book so much!
The profoundness of Highway to the Sky is sensational, and many readers will feel a host of different emotions while reading this book. Lola Reid Allin effortlessly inspires thoughts and feelings in her readers as well as compels them to read from beginning to end. I found myself reading Highway to the Sky at an alarming rate because it was captivating as well as engrossing; Lola’s incredible literature will have you turning the pages frantically, and I adored how she was able to do this. As well as this Lola has written her story in an incredibly compelling and honest way; her beautifully descriptive writing will make the reader feel as if you are right there alongside her, this is how I felt, and because I did, I felt as if I was with Lola on her journey and that for me was incredibly moving.
Lola Reid Allin is a remarkable person for two reasons; the first is because she is honest and brave to write her story and the second is because she is an exceptionally talented author. Lola’s excellent writing is a joy to read and flows beautifully throughout so that the reader will feel compelled to read non-stop. That is why I have no choice but to award this incredible book five stars! So be sure to have a read of the preview below book lovers, you won’t regret it!
Thank you so much for reading book lovers! I appreciate it so much.
Goodbye for now book lovers,
P.S. Below I have attached some links about the author and this wonderful book so if you would like to learn more about the author and the book then please have a browse. Thank you so much again for reading book lovers!
This book is a must read for every woman who wants to be a pilot. And every father who has daughters.
As a father of four daughters and soon working in aviation I was interested in this story. Best book I have red in long time.
The struggles and downplaying from men throughtout her career, and still coming out as a winner is a totally inspiring story.
Be prepared to cry your eyes out.