Becky Aikman
@beckyaikman.bsky.social
I write nonfiction books about people braver than me. Coming in May 2025: SPITFIRES, about bold American women who flew for Britain in World War II. I also wrote OFF THE CLIFF (Penguin Press) and SATURDAY NIGHT WIDOWS (Crown). beckyaikman.com
Pinned
Becky Aikman
@beckyaikman.bsky.social
· Jan 25
It turns out, the first American women to fly in a war were almost completely forgotten to history. I spent four years tracking down their thrilling story. The book is out May 6. You can pre-order it now -- anywhere books are sold.
Reposted by Becky Aikman
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...
www.lisayelon.com/blog/histori...
Historical Non-Fiction — Lisa Yelon
Amazing tales of survival and bravery!
www.lisayelon.com
October 20, 2025 at 8:27 PM
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...
www.lisayelon.com/blog/histori...
Short but fascinating. I had a great time talking history with Peter on @historyshortspod.bsky.social
I had a great conversation with @beckyaikman.bsky.social about the little-known story of WWII heroism! Release Date: 8/8/25!
Learn More: www.historyshortspodcast.com
Buy Becky's Book: www.amazon.com/Spitfires-Am...
Follow @historyshortspod.bsky.social
Learn More: www.historyshortspodcast.com
Buy Becky's Book: www.amazon.com/Spitfires-Am...
Follow @historyshortspod.bsky.social
August 8, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Short but fascinating. I had a great time talking history with Peter on @historyshortspod.bsky.social
Jackie Cochran was unstoppable. Thanks to her, the first American women to pilot military aircraft flew in Britain during World War II.
#OTD in 1942, Jackie Cochran completed the ferry of this very Lockheed Hudson Mk.V AM790 across the Atlantic.
A year later, Cochran would arrive with 25 fellow American women pilots to join the Air Transport Auxiliary. Find out more with @beckyaikman.bsky.social here: youtu.be/0VaDyNnIrLo
A year later, Cochran would arrive with 25 fellow American women pilots to join the Air Transport Auxiliary. Find out more with @beckyaikman.bsky.social here: youtu.be/0VaDyNnIrLo
June 19, 2025 at 2:45 PM
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.
One of the American ATA pilots was Mary Ford, nee Zerbel. Mary's life beyond the ATA would see a film based on her exploits made starring Lana Turner! The Lady Takes a Flyer isn't a classic.
Find out more about Mary with @beckyaikman.bsky.social in our latest episode here: youtu.be/0VaDyNnIrLo
Find out more about Mary with @beckyaikman.bsky.social in our latest episode here: youtu.be/0VaDyNnIrLo
June 19, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Any one of the American pilots could have been the inspiration for a movie, that’s how dramatic they were.
Talking about forgotten trailblazing women is the counter programming we need!
Come hear me interview @beckyaikman.bsky.social at @politicsprose.bsky.social on Saturday about her amazing book on daring women pilots during World War II.
June 11, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Talking about forgotten trailblazing women is the counter programming we need!
Reposted by Becky Aikman
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.
June 2, 2025 at 1:55 PM
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.
Reposted by Becky Aikman
Homicide rates: NY 4.5, FL 7.2
Life expectancy: NY 79, FL 76.1
Uninsured rate: NY 4.8, FL 10.7
Life expectancy: NY 79, FL 76.1
Uninsured rate: NY 4.8, FL 10.7
Bessent: "We want the US to be more like Florida and less like New York"
May 29, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Homicide rates: NY 4.5, FL 7.2
Life expectancy: NY 79, FL 76.1
Uninsured rate: NY 4.8, FL 10.7
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.)
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.)
May 26, 2025 at 12:19 PM
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.)
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.)
Reposted by Becky Aikman
@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…
buff.ly
May 8, 2025 at 3:00 PM
@beckyaikman.bsky.social on the “Atta-Girls,” the women pilots who chased adventure during World War II.
Reposted by Becky Aikman
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-...
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…
lithub.com
May 8, 2025 at 2:21 PM
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-...
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!
May 8, 2025 at 7:51 PM
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!
Reposted by Becky Aikman
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...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
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
podcasts.apple.com
May 7, 2025 at 8:20 PM
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...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/e...
Five years in the making, SPITFIRES is out today!
Happy #pubday to SPITFIRES: THE AMERICAN WOMEN WHO FLEW IN THE FACE OF DANGER DURING WORLD WAR II by @beckyaikman.bsky.social!
Drawing on unpublished diaries, letters, and records, along with her own interviews, Becky Aikman brings these forgotten heroines fully to life.
geni.us/spitfires
Drawing on unpublished diaries, letters, and records, along with her own interviews, Becky Aikman brings these forgotten heroines fully to life.
geni.us/spitfires
The heart-pounding true story of the daring American women who piloted the world's most dangerous aircraft through the treacherous skies of Britain during World War II.
Order now:
geni.us
May 6, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Five years in the making, SPITFIRES is out today!
Is your mother a trailblazer? Aren’t they all? Then this is the perfect gift! SPITFIRES, the story of the bold, forgotten American trailblazers who flew for Britain during World War II.
On sale tomorrow or pre-order now! Either way, you’ll get it in time to impress your mom!
On sale tomorrow or pre-order now! Either way, you’ll get it in time to impress your mom!
May 5, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Is your mother a trailblazer? Aren’t they all? Then this is the perfect gift! SPITFIRES, the story of the bold, forgotten American trailblazers who flew for Britain during World War II.
On sale tomorrow or pre-order now! Either way, you’ll get it in time to impress your mom!
On sale tomorrow or pre-order now! Either way, you’ll get it in time to impress your mom!
The American women who flew in Britain in World War II are finally getting the recognition they deserve. @pbsnews.org captured the story of my book SPITFIRES in this report.
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
‘Spitfires’ chronicles the daring flights of American women pilots during WWII
Wednesday is the 80th anniversary of VE Day, marking Germany’s unconditional surrender and the end of WWII in Europe. A new book “Spitfires” tells the little-known contribution American women made to ...
www.pbs.org
May 4, 2025 at 11:21 PM
The American women who flew in Britain in World War II are finally getting the recognition they deserve. @pbsnews.org captured the story of my book SPITFIRES in this report.
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
Jonathan Eig won the Pulitzer Prize AND a place on the York Times bestseller list for magnificent KING: A LIFE. I’m so honored that he wrote this blurb for SPITFIRES.
May 2, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Jonathan Eig won the Pulitzer Prize AND a place on the York Times bestseller list for magnificent KING: A LIFE. I’m so honored that he wrote this blurb for SPITFIRES.
CBS Saturday Morning features me and my book SPITFIRES tomorrow morning!
The piece captures the excitement, drama and personal stories of the American women who flew for Britain during World War II.
The piece captures the excitement, drama and personal stories of the American women who flew for Britain during World War II.
May 2, 2025 at 4:02 PM
CBS Saturday Morning features me and my book SPITFIRES tomorrow morning!
The piece captures the excitement, drama and personal stories of the American women who flew for Britain during World War II.
The piece captures the excitement, drama and personal stories of the American women who flew for Britain during World War II.
One of my favorite authors, @keithob.bsky.social, wrote the enthralling New York Times bestseller FLY GIRLS, about the thrilling exploits of 1930s women risking it all in air races. I’m grateful he shared his thoughts on SPITFIRES.
April 29, 2025 at 12:58 PM
One of my favorite authors, @keithob.bsky.social, wrote the enthralling New York Times bestseller FLY GIRLS, about the thrilling exploits of 1930s women risking it all in air races. I’m grateful he shared his thoughts on SPITFIRES.
Reposted by Becky Aikman
#OnThisDay, 27 April 1925, Edna Ferber wins the Pulitzer Prize for fiction with her novel 'So Big'.
She donates the prize money to the Authors League to support sick and elderly authors.
#WomenInHistory #OTD #History #WomensHistory #ReadMoreWomen #AmericanHistory 🗃️
She donates the prize money to the Authors League to support sick and elderly authors.
#WomenInHistory #OTD #History #WomensHistory #ReadMoreWomen #AmericanHistory 🗃️
April 27, 2025 at 8:00 AM
#OnThisDay, 27 April 1925, Edna Ferber wins the Pulitzer Prize for fiction with her novel 'So Big'.
She donates the prize money to the Authors League to support sick and elderly authors.
#WomenInHistory #OTD #History #WomensHistory #ReadMoreWomen #AmericanHistory 🗃️
She donates the prize money to the Authors League to support sick and elderly authors.
#WomenInHistory #OTD #History #WomensHistory #ReadMoreWomen #AmericanHistory 🗃️
Olivia Campbell knows how to spin an exciting tale about women pioneers. I’m thrilled that she enjoyed the ride with the SPITFIRES heroines.
April 25, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Olivia Campbell knows how to spin an exciting tale about women pioneers. I’m thrilled that she enjoyed the ride with the SPITFIRES heroines.
Reposted by Becky Aikman
Our friend Mohsen Mahdawi. Legal US resident. Palestinian leader at Columbia who spoke out against antisemitism. Kind, thoughtful man. Today, Mohsen went to his final citizenship interview in VT where masked ICE agents put him in handcuffs and drove off. We don’t know where he is.
April 15, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Our friend Mohsen Mahdawi. Legal US resident. Palestinian leader at Columbia who spoke out against antisemitism. Kind, thoughtful man. Today, Mohsen went to his final citizenship interview in VT where masked ICE agents put him in handcuffs and drove off. We don’t know where he is.
Reposted by Becky Aikman
Today UK authors are protesting against Meta for stealing our work to train their AI model. Authors earn an average of £7000 per year, we are not rich, and yet a trillion dollar company decided it didn’t want to license our work fairly as it was “too expensive”
Theft is not a valid alternative.
Theft is not a valid alternative.
April 3, 2025 at 8:57 AM
Today UK authors are protesting against Meta for stealing our work to train their AI model. Authors earn an average of £7000 per year, we are not rich, and yet a trillion dollar company decided it didn’t want to license our work fairly as it was “too expensive”
Theft is not a valid alternative.
Theft is not a valid alternative.
ABOUT THE SPITFIRES: Ann Wood was president of her college class, ambitious for a career in government or business. As an American pilot in Britain during World War II, she made connections in hopes of finding postwar work that was rarely open to women at the time.
April 2, 2025 at 9:01 PM
ABOUT THE SPITFIRES: Ann Wood was president of her college class, ambitious for a career in government or business. As an American pilot in Britain during World War II, she made connections in hopes of finding postwar work that was rarely open to women at the time.