This work by the late Charlotte, N.C., author and philanthropist, Elizabeth S. Smith, presents an inspirational topic that has escaped previous aviation writers. The story of aviator Cochran's achievements, which reflect her determined character and desire to succeed, are highly readable, and energizing, to young people. Many 6-9th grade students continue to enjoy and benefit from this book.

Jackie Cochran was a personal hero of mine before I even read this book. Despite some grammar errors (Jackie never claimed to be a professional writer) Ms. Cochran's outstanding personality shines through every page. As a pilot and a woman, I loved reading about Jackie's adventures in the air. She led an amazing life and had incredible courage and abilities. I would recommend this book to anyone, of any age, who likes to read about real heroes.

(by E.M. Singer, author of "Mother Flies Hurricanes.)This woman spares no punches. Jackie may have been many things to many people, but she never was (and never could be) self-effacing and passive! You've got to admire her determination in pulling herself out of the desperate poverty of her youth to achieve her dreams. Love her or hate her, (there really was no middle ground) the WASP program would never have gotten off the ground without her. For more recommendations on books about women pilots and the part they played in WWII, go to the motherflieshurricanes.com website.

For weeks after the book arrived at my bookstore, I was doing Jackie Cochran impersonations.

"Well, after the war, I just *had* to go to Paris. So, I took Mr. Odlum, my "wingman" and so, I went. And so I found myself near the Ritz, at Maxims! and they were closed. Closed! To me! So Mr. Odlum timidly suggested we go elsewhere. But I said nothing to it. Instead, I used some of the "animal instinct" I used back in Florida when I was but a wild child, and went back to find the "garbage can"....garbage can, if you can say that...and of course, I found oh, a great feast. Honestly, those French throw away in a day what would feed an American family in a week! And beside me, I found this ragged little gamine rootling right next to me...taking even worse scraps than I. Well! I told her how to get better than that, and put her on the payroll that week."

Jackie Cochran was indeed a great American story. But so was my great-aunt, and many others. If she hadn't been so ready to pat herself on the back, I would have rated her higher. Read her, if only to get her side, then read Yeager. You'll be the better for it.

I thought it was fairly well written, Jackie was not known for being reserved. She tells about her childhood and her life as a beautician. How she met her rich husband and how she started her own cometic company and why she began flying. She tells little of how she manipulated her way into starting the WASP's. That she was successful, demonstrates her will. She tells about how she broke women's speed records after the fall of the WASP's, I felt she was using her money for a last swan song. In "Jackie Cochran" written with Maryanne Bucknum Brinley, thoughts from Chuck Yeager are enlightening. Brinley's book uses much of what is in "The Stars at Noon", and adds thoughts from her friends and I felt it was a little better organized.