Powder Puff Derby of 1929: The True Story of the First Women's Cross-Country Air Race

"The Powder Puff Derby of 1929" by Gene Nora Jessen.This is a perfectly wonderful book. It is the ultimate compendium of early women's aviation from the 1920's, 30s,and beyond, and brings out the great determination, fun eccentricities, and historical importance of proving women to be on an equal basis of men in this unique workplace.Many are aware of the ground-breaking history of Amelia Earhart in aviation, but this book not only reminisces about her role, but brings in dozens of other women (twenty in the Derby), who should be much better-known today, thanks to their extraordinary contributions. This author excitingly describes the Derby, day by day from Santa Monica to Cleveland, the dangerous terrain and weather, and each participant in intimate, probing detail, to where the reader feels a real personal connection to them. Ms.Jessen sprinkles period photos of all the pilots,not always of the best quality, throughout the text. Eachchapter also delightfully begins with an appropriate quote from the great American humorist, Will Rogers, who was responsible for coining the term, "Powder Puff Derby."After the Derby is over, the author follows the men and women of aviation around the world with stories of what became of them, and how their efforts affected the industry all the way to the space age. I hated this story to come to an end. My other regret about this terrific book, is that I didn't get into it until 2012, when it was written ten years before, in 2002. The last living pilot of the Derby, Bobbi Trout was still alive until 2003. I'd love to have had Ms. Jessen have the past ten years as food for her fascinating grist mill.

Gene Nora Jessen's, "The Powder Puff Derby of 1929" is a book well worth anyone's time. In a concise, fast paced package, Ms. Jessen provides aviation history, women's history and a fine adventure in a well written format. I obtained the book for some background research and was prepared for a typical, soulless small history, filled with facts but little color. Gene Nora disabused me of this idea by providing a gutsy, yet readable, history of the 1929 air race. Then, Ms. Jessen added, at no extra charge, a fine mini lesson in women's aviation, with not only the American highlights, but including women's aviation history worldwide. This was a throughly delightful book and should be required reading for all young women who have even the slightest interest in adventure or aviation.

First time I'd read so many details of the cross-country race and individual backgrounds on the competitors. A fine research project and very well written so as to hold my interest until the very end. I bought the book to use for reference in building a model of one of the race planes.

An excellent job in describing the incredibly poor flying conditions in and out of the cockpit in that pioneering era. What brave and hard working working women were these early pilots. It also does a good job relaying their apprehensions and fears about the unknowns along the routes and at their destinations.Highly recommend it particularly for modern pilots pampered in our air-conditioned cockpits, turbocharged engines, multiple GPSs and reliable autopilots.

A great book, fast paced & entertaining, about the magnificent women who set the bar for all women in aviation. Gene Nora Jessen presents a fascinating tale that is correct in every detail and makes you smile at the same time. Thank you, G'Nora, for a book that can be read over & over and never lose the fun of that landmark air race.

great history

This is a great book and explains the trials and tribulations of women aviators of that era. A very quick read.

Excellent storytelling.