Jackie Cochran: The Autobiography of the Greatest Woman Pilot in Aviation History
, subject: Jackie Cochran autobiography and aviation career, 1987
Jackie Cochran chose her own name, learned whatever mattered to her, and built her life on persuading people to believe in ideas.
About the book
The record describes Cochran as holding more speed, altitude and distance records than any other pilot at her death. She founded and led the Women's Air Force Service Pilot program in the Second World War and was the first woman to fly faster than sound.
Why read it
Best if you want the story of someone who began with little, chose her own identity, climbed from the bottom of each job toward the top, and sold people on her ideas.
Key themes
- Having little as a source of nerve
- Start at the bottom, aim for the top
- Selling as a life skill
Evidence and original sources
Sources: official Founders episodes — #162, #167
This record is supported by 20 public evidence rows linked to original Founders episodes.
- Chuck Yeager — David says Jackie Cochran's appearance in Yeager's autobiography led him to order her autobiography for a future episode.
- Jackie Cochran (Aviation) — David compares the structure of Jackie's book to Chuck Yeager's, noting both include 'other voices' sections with commentary from people in the subject's life.