Three generations of indomitable women navigate life on their terms in this epic historical novel about love, war, family secrets, and mothers and daughters finding the freedom to fly. From the WASP program in 1943 to the struggles of being a woman in a male-dominated world in the 1950s-1970s, Georgeanne, Vivian, Ruth, and Ivy face challenges and triumphs that shape their lives and relationships.

_Women's Airforce Service Pilots (WASP)
- *Founders*: Jacqueline Cochran and Nancy Love founded the WASP program, merging WAFS (Women's Auxiliary Ferrying Squadron) and WFTD (Women's Flying Training Detachment) in 1943.
- *Roles*: WASP pilots, ferried aircraft, towed targets, and test-flew repaired planes.
- *Training*: WASP trainees learned at Avenger Field in Sweetwater, Texas.
- *Service*: Over 1,000 women served, flying over 60 million miles and delivering 12,000+ aircraft, freeing up 900 male pilots for combat duty.
- *Challenges*: Despite their contributions, WASP pilots faced discrimination and prejudice, with 38 women losing their lives during the war. They weren't given military status either.
- *Disbandment*: The WASP program was disbanded in December 1944.

Women in the Vietnam War
- *Nurses*: Provided critical medical care to soldiers.
- *Donut Dollies*: USO volunteers boosted morale with care packages and entertainment.
- *Admin and Support*: Women served in various roles, including clerks, typists, and communications specialists.
- *Intelligence and Analysis*: Women worked in intelligence, analysing data and providing insights.
- *Military Police and Security*: Women served as military police and security personnel.

The Impact of Family Secrets_
- *Mistrust and feelings of betrayal*: Revealing secrets damages relationships and creates feelings of betrayal.
- *Emotional distance and resentment*: Secrets create emotional distance, resentment, and anger.
- *Impact on identity and intergenerational patterns*: Family secrets affect identity and belonging, perpetuating intergenerational patterns of behaviour.
- *Healing and Rebuilding*: Open and honest communication and rebuilding relationships can help restore trust and strengthen bonds.

A gripping historical novel.
American Sky is a captivating and compelling read and one I wont soon forget.
I loved everything about this book, from the story, the settings, and the characters! So riveting that I finished it in a couple days.

A powerful and gripping debut novel.
Spanning three generations of women who veered away from the norm and what society expected of them.
The history is fascinating and informative; the female characters are daring and inspiring.
American Sky is a captivating story and I loved it.
If you enjoyed reading Kristin Hannah’s ‘The Women’, then American Sky will be right up your street.

Thank you to Lake Union Publishing for a digital copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Well done historical fiction and family drama. The WASP program is finally receiving the attention it has long deserved. Dasher has done a good job of creating a family of women whose fascination with flying started during WWII and continues into the present. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

American Sky encompasses numerous wars. American Sky spans numerous generations. The extensive timeline made for a very addictive, dramatic story. It wasn't always easy to read, but it was worth every bit of turmoil, every bit of happiness and all of the enduring struggles the characters experienced.

Adele struggled in a world where women were to marry and take care of the family. They were not to fixing engines or raising cattle. They definitely didn't own cars. None of that stopped Adele. Her frustrations jumped off the pages. As WW1 ranged on; she was able to escape to work on the ranch. All did not come home. Tears flowed. My heart broke for all those that would never be compete.

I was thrilled when Adele found love. She married Charles Ector, a guy John met duirng the war. His brilliance regarding oil drilling left me speecheless. He earned my respect. In a time when it wasn't acceptable; he let Adele be Adele. She dealt much better with an engine than she did a relationship, but Charles didn't care. With the birth of GeorgeAnne, the next generation was born, with new expectations.

GeorgeAnne wanted to learn to fly and own a plane. With the inception of WW2, her flying abilities were needed. What an experience!!! I no longer had to imagine how difficult it was for them. American Sky details the struggles. The double standards had me fuming until I remembered we can't put today's values on the past. The women that took part in WW2 have my complete respect.

Attitudes and rules will force GeorgeAnne, her friend, Vivian to stop flying. Lives will never be the same as GeorgeAnne returns to Enid with two babies, Ruth and Ivy. When secrets are revealed, the world comes crashing down around them. The conflict runs deep. Family issues became more and more challenging. I didn't think it could get worse, I was so wrong.

American Sky has the reader exploring Vietnam. Ruth and Ivy will be reunited when Ruth arrives to works as a tirage nurse close to the front. Tears flowed. My stomach revolted. I don't know how medical staff kept going. I am in awe of all those that Ruth and her colleagues represent.

The emotional roller coaster will continue long after Ruth goes home. Family dynamics kept me entertained for hours and not always in a good way. I couldn't stop tears from flowing. The war may have ended but the inner turmoil slowly eats away. I closed the book deep in thought. If it wasn't for strong women, I have to wonder how things might have been.

American Sky is a captivating and compelling read and is one you wont soon forget.

It is the story of 3 generations during WW1, WW2 and the Vietnam war.

It is the 1900's and we meet Adele who simply does not want to do the things expected of girls. She would rather raise a steer, fix engines, drive a car and a tractor. Her parents arent happy but they understand to a degree.

Adele eventually has a daughter known as George who is much like her Mom in some ways. She decides she wants to fly planes and during WW2 she was one of the few women to do so

George's daughters are also very strong women and walk their own path.

The family dynamics were intriguing and it was very interesting to see how all the women grew in strength and determination .

This book is so much more than that . It is about family, family secrets, love, friendship and so much more.

I cheered for them all, I cried with them all and most of all I admired all the characters.

American Sky would and will be a perfect Book Club Selection.

I seldom reread books but American Sky would be one of them.

Thanks to NetGalley and Lake Union Publishing for the privilege of reading and reviewing American Sky.

My rating:

Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Writing: 4 out of 5 stars
Character development: 4 out of 5 stars
Overall: 4 out of 5 stars

Recommended for readers of:

Historical Fiction


Review:

This is the story of three generations of strong women who each were determined to carve their own path different from what society and the previous generation expected of them. Spanning most of the 20th century, the affects of war touches each of them in different ways. Also the inter generational relationships and it's affects on each of the generations added an extra dynamic to the story.

The characters are strong, interesting women. Their personalities are described in great detail; this made them interesting and realistic. The book is well written and captivating although it starts of slow and it takes a bit of time for the story to unfold but once it does it’s hard to put it down.

Overall:

A nicely written story with interesting strong characters that are portrayed with great detail this made them realistic. Worth reading!

Review copy provided through Netgalley at no cost to me

Three strong willed women set in three generations is a novel that is both emotional, complex and interesting. Starting in the 1900's and ending in the 1970's you take a journey with these women as they share their lives filled with strength of character and secrets. Each woman never to look back and find they had made mistakes as they strike out on their own at times when society frowned on independent females. This book was well written and one they I highly recommend. My thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I got all of the Kristin Hannah vibes from this book in the best way. Wow! All the feels and such a journey from start to finish.

You feel so involved in this family and their lives by the end, it is almost hard to say goodbye. The love/strained relationship between George and Vivian is so realistic and I appreciated that aspect of the book. It was not all frills and happy endings but in the end you do get that. My only complaint was the huge chapters at the beginning, it made it hard to get into at the start. Also would have benefited from names at the beginning of each chapter so you could easily tell who's perspective it was.

Thanks for the opportunity to read this one, NetGalley!

This book isn't what I was expecting at all! (In a good way!) While following 3 generations of our female leads over the course of WW1, WW2, and Vietnam, this novel is about so much more than what they were doing during these times. The way we see each generation grow and develop as they decide how they want to live their life differently from their mother before them, only to discover full circle moments as they become adults when the understanding kicks in. I found this so beautifully written. It's one to be enjoyed and savored.... not rushed through, so plan to settle in and get cozy! By the end, I had tears in my eyes. This covers growth, understanding, the complex dynamics of how gender roles had changed over time, family secrets and will pull at your heart strings. Will definitely be recommending this one!


Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

American Sky’s centers on three generations of strong willed women who carve out their own unique paths in life.
The story begins with Adele in the early 1900’s. She loves to fix cars and engines, not something deemed appropriate for women at this time period.
Next we have her daughter “George” and Vivian, her almost twin who become best friends flying planes during WWII.
Lastly we have George’s daughters Ruth and Ivy who follow different paths to Vietnam and the War in the 1970’s.
A long held family secret when finally revealed has a lasting impact on all their lives. Read about love, loss and friendship.
Thank you Lake Union publishing, the author and NetGalley for this moving ARC.

American Sky by Carolyn dasher. American Sky was a wonderful historical account of women in the war.