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
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.)
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!
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!
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.
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.
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.
I admire the beautifully written work of Shelley Puhak, who is kind enough to
recognize my efforts in SPITFIRES.
recognize my efforts in SPITFIRES.
March 31, 2025 at 1:50 PM
I admire the beautifully written work of Shelley Puhak, who is kind enough to
recognize my efforts in SPITFIRES.
recognize my efforts in SPITFIRES.
Major General Mari K. Eder knows a thing or two about daring women who are brave enough to serve their country. Her seal of approval for SPITFIRES means a lot to me.
March 26, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Major General Mari K. Eder knows a thing or two about daring women who are brave enough to serve their country. Her seal of approval for SPITFIRES means a lot to me.
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.
January 25, 2025 at 4:26 PM
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.
Nothing about the Los Angeles fires in this morning’s physical New York Times. Nothing about Jimmy Carter’s death the day after he died either. I’ve always loved reading on paper, but it seems to have given up completely on being timely.
January 8, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Nothing about the Los Angeles fires in this morning’s physical New York Times. Nothing about Jimmy Carter’s death the day after he died either. I’ve always loved reading on paper, but it seems to have given up completely on being timely.
My husband created a mini version of the over-the-top Pittsburgh tradition of the holiday cookie table. Which is better: He made eight different cookie recipes? Or he cleaned up after each one?
December 25, 2024 at 6:56 PM
My husband created a mini version of the over-the-top Pittsburgh tradition of the holiday cookie table. Which is better: He made eight different cookie recipes? Or he cleaned up after each one?
I feel seen. These are my color-coded charts showing where my characters were and what they were doing month-by-month. I felt like Carrie in Homeland.
December 21, 2024 at 6:48 PM
I feel seen. These are my color-coded charts showing where my characters were and what they were doing month-by-month. I felt like Carrie in Homeland.
