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Three-Eight Charlie: 1st Woman to Fly Solo Around the World
Three-Eight Charlie is the story of Jerrie Mock’s record-setting flight as the first woman to solo around the world in 1964 in a single-engine Cessna 180. It’s an insightful and well written account that includes intrigue and heroism, and discusses the cultures and geography of the world at the time. This book is a great read for aviation enthusiasts as well as young people, and anyone with big dreams.
Three-Eight Charlie was originally published in 1970, but was out of print and difficult to find. Phoenix Graphix proudly released a collectible edition for the 50th anniversary of Jerrie's flight, which included maps, weather charts and photos that bring the story to life, and help the reader experience it more fully. This ebook contains some of those images, at a price that everyone can afford!
Three-Eight Charlie was originally published in 1970, but was out of print and difficult to find. Phoenix Graphix proudly released a collectible edition for the 50th anniversary of Jerrie's flight, which included maps, weather charts and photos that bring the story to life, and help the reader experience it more fully. This ebook contains some of those images, at a price that everyone can afford!
- GenresNonfiction
269 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1970
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
May 5, 2020
This is a fun and interesting account of the author's solo flight around the world as the first woman to do so. She details every aspect of her trip to and from Columbus, Ohio. Unfortunately she did not have much time at all to spend at any of the places she landed, as her sponsors and husband had her in a race with another woman also attempting to be first. But she does give her impressions of most of the places. Cannot imagine doing this, but it was fun to read about.
February 25, 2015
This is a fantastic recounting of the first woman to successfully fly around the world! in March 1964 Jerrie Mock, an Ohio 'housewife' (according to her own description) sets off in a single engine Cessna 180 and completes the world record without really meaning to (29 days) - she really just wanted to do the flight, but sponsors and the media made it into an event. Jerrie tells of her husband, who is constantly phoning or sending telegrams to her at each stop to keep moving, not worry too much about weather, and forgo sleep and rest in order to stay ahead of another woman who just happened to be trying for the record at the same time.
What I found amazing was the lack of navigation devices and the primitive ones she used. But nevertheless, she successfully navigates to most of the planned airports and works out problems, mechanical issues, and the worst stumbling block - red tape - at each destination.
She really just wanted to stop and see the sights in each country.
I was amazed at the length of some of the long legs of the trip - Hawaii to California 17.5 hours and Bermuda to Azores 13 hours - all this with flying day after day and often into the night or starting in the middle of the night!
I finally found and bought the book at the Air and Space Museum, as I couldn't find it at the library, so if anyone wants to borrow it, let me know. It's a wonderful story! What an amazing pilot and person!
What I found amazing was the lack of navigation devices and the primitive ones she used. But nevertheless, she successfully navigates to most of the planned airports and works out problems, mechanical issues, and the worst stumbling block - red tape - at each destination.
She really just wanted to stop and see the sights in each country.
I was amazed at the length of some of the long legs of the trip - Hawaii to California 17.5 hours and Bermuda to Azores 13 hours - all this with flying day after day and often into the night or starting in the middle of the night!
I finally found and bought the book at the Air and Space Museum, as I couldn't find it at the library, so if anyone wants to borrow it, let me know. It's a wonderful story! What an amazing pilot and person!
April 23, 2023
A moment in history
I can't pretend that this is an easy or engaging read, but it is an interesting one. Before this week I hadn't even heard of Jerrj Mock who in 1964 became the first woman to fly solo round the world.
Referred to cringe makingly as "The Flying Housewife", she was relatively inexperienced as a pilot. However, she embarked on and achieved this mammoth trip in a single seat Cessna 180.
The unfortunate thing is she was no writer. The book reads almost like a shopping list of statistics, landing places and people she
met
Unlike today's books of a similar type, which sometimes go into too much detail, this one is too sparse, with little description of people, feelings and for me, a dearth of information of all the motivation, preparation, etc. These are often covered by a few sentences.
I don't know how other readers will feel, but by the end, I could have cheerfully got rid of her odious husband.
All in all, well worth a read and I am probably too hard on what were attitudes to women at the time. It was just how it was. She was, however a remarkable woman and deserves to be remembered.
I can't pretend that this is an easy or engaging read, but it is an interesting one. Before this week I hadn't even heard of Jerrj Mock who in 1964 became the first woman to fly solo round the world.
Referred to cringe makingly as "The Flying Housewife", she was relatively inexperienced as a pilot. However, she embarked on and achieved this mammoth trip in a single seat Cessna 180.
The unfortunate thing is she was no writer. The book reads almost like a shopping list of statistics, landing places and people she
met
Unlike today's books of a similar type, which sometimes go into too much detail, this one is too sparse, with little description of people, feelings and for me, a dearth of information of all the motivation, preparation, etc. These are often covered by a few sentences.
I don't know how other readers will feel, but by the end, I could have cheerfully got rid of her odious husband.
All in all, well worth a read and I am probably too hard on what were attitudes to women at the time. It was just how it was. She was, however a remarkable woman and deserves to be remembered.
March 17, 2022
Unassuming and entertaining story of a determined woman
A very entertaining and enlightening book. It was written in an unassuming style, perfect for this tale of the author's perseverance, which resulted in her setting multiple records. She reveals her concerns, fears, and irritations, but also the joy and satisfaction she found during her round-the-world flights. In addition, readers can't help but notice that the world and the USA were different places in 1964. You don't have to be a pilot to appreciate this one.
A very entertaining and enlightening book. It was written in an unassuming style, perfect for this tale of the author's perseverance, which resulted in her setting multiple records. She reveals her concerns, fears, and irritations, but also the joy and satisfaction she found during her round-the-world flights. In addition, readers can't help but notice that the world and the USA were different places in 1964. You don't have to be a pilot to appreciate this one.
January 26, 2019
Highly recommend.
Incredibly inspiring. Jerry has a wonderful writing style; it feels like shes just having a conversation with the reader. She peppers the story with her insights on her experiences and observations and also details how she spent her time in the sky and on the ground. The story is chronological, well written, and very easy to read. The book is exciting and I had trouble pulling myself away from her story for things like bed and work. Every free moment I had was spent reading it until the end.
Incredibly inspiring. Jerry has a wonderful writing style; it feels like shes just having a conversation with the reader. She peppers the story with her insights on her experiences and observations and also details how she spent her time in the sky and on the ground. The story is chronological, well written, and very easy to read. The book is exciting and I had trouble pulling myself away from her story for things like bed and work. Every free moment I had was spent reading it until the end.
July 16, 2019
Exceptionally written by Jerrie, herself, detailing every leg of her small airplane flight around the world. She refers to herself as a "housewife pilot" but she was actually a pioneer pilot. She talks about her impressions of the cities and cultures she visited, talks about her dreams and how she forms a bond with her Cessna, Charlie. Please read this book - you won't be disappointed.
December 6, 2020
Description of the first aerial circumnavigation by a women
A good description of first solo flight around the world, the epilogue provides context explaining the content. As on 12/20 the Cessna 180, Charlie, is moving the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum main building on the Mall.
A good description of first solo flight around the world, the epilogue provides context explaining the content. As on 12/20 the Cessna 180, Charlie, is moving the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum main building on the Mall.
May 5, 2026
This is probably the most honest memoir I've ever read. Attempting to be the first woman to fly around the world, Jerri wanted to relish every new place she was able to see. But Russ, her husband, was always about moving fast to get the record! Jerri's descriptions of life on and off the ground are inspiring and fun. She was quite a lady!
May 2, 2024
Fabulous and Epic
This is a wonderful story of a brave lady who broke records and became an endeared part of our history. Her story should be shared and celebrated with the entire world!!!
This is a wonderful story of a brave lady who broke records and became an endeared part of our history. Her story should be shared and celebrated with the entire world!!!
July 18, 2017
We should all know her name.
October 20, 2020
This is about the first woman to make a solo flight around the world in 1964. Her aircraft was named Three-Eight Charlie.
February 25, 2014
I was pleased to read this story of the first woman to fly around the world, because she did it in 1964, fifty years ago this spring. I loved the details and tried to visualize what she was going through. She did spend a bit too much time complaining about the media blitz she went through at many spots. But that was OK. What an accomplishment!
August 25, 2014
Three-Eight Chrlie
has potential for a charming but down-to-earth tale, in an old-fashioned style – and is a piece of history that should really be much better known than it is.
Read the full ebook Sample Reader review here.
Read the full ebook Sample Reader review here.
January 23, 2015
Amazing story about an amazing feat that so few people are aware of and acknowledge. Unbelievable amounts of bureaucratic red tape throughout the trip, subtle and blatant sexism, and a husband that comes across as a bit of a jerk. All told; a fast-moving read about an amazing, fast-moving feat!
April 30, 2015
this was an interesting read - while I know nothing at all about flying, the technical aspects included in the book were not overwhelming or off-putting - it is a memoir written by a housewife and reads that way
May 26, 2014
A GREAT TRIBUTE TO A VERY SPECIAL WOMAN IN AVIATION
This was a great read and kept me interested all along the way. Mrs. Mock deserves much more recognition today.
This was a great read and kept me interested all along the way. Mrs. Mock deserves much more recognition today.
December 7, 2014
I thoroughly enjoyed Mrs. Mock's well written account of her difficult trip around the world. Rest in peace, Mrs. Mock.
August 21, 2015
An informative book and great adventure tale, Three-Eight Charlie is a must-read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews