Dare to Fly: Simple Lessons in Never Giving Up

by Martha McSally

“Like the A-10 aircraft she flew in combat, retired colonel and fighter pilot Martha McSally is a gritty individual who loves our Air Force and personified its core values of excellence, integrity, and service before self, while standing up to make it a better institution for everyone who serves. How to be resolute, do the right thing, persevere, find gratitude, and learn compassion are just some of the lessons in her inspirational life story.” —Ron FOGLEMAN, General (ret.), U.S. Air Force; former Air Force Chief of Staff

Combining the soulful honesty of Make Your Bed with the inspiring power of You Are a Badass, America’s first female combat jet pilot and Arizona Senator Martha McSally shows you how to clear the runway of your embrace fear, transform doubt, succeed when you are expected to fail, and soar to great heights in this motivational life guide. 

Martha McSally is an extraordinary achiever whose inner strength and personal principles have helped her overcome adversity throughout her life. Initially rejected from Air Force flight school because she was too short, she refused to give up, becoming the first female fighter pilot to fly in combat and the first to command a combat fighter squadron in United States history. During her twenty-six-year military career, she fought to free American servicewomen stationed in the Middle East from restrictions requiring them to don full-body, black abayas and ride in the backs of cars – and won.  McSally has continued to serve America, first in the House of Representatives, and now as a U.S. Senator from Arizona.

McSally is also a survivor. She shares how her experiences propelled her to become a fighter for justice in and out of the cockpit. In this powerful, uplifting book, McSally reflects on her successes and failures, shares key principles that have guided her, and reveals invaluable lessons to break barriers, thrive through darkness, and make someone proud in your life. “Courage isn’t magic or genetics. It is a choice. By choosing to do things afraid, you discover your own power to overcome.”

Filled with fresh stories and insights, Dare to Fly will help each of us find the courage inside to break our barriers, endure turbulence, and keep flying high. 

Genres: Nonfiction, Aviation

288 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 26, 2020

Reviews

[Audra · Rating 1 out of 5]

McSally opened a door for women and then promptly shut it behind her when she decided to stand ten toes behind an administration lead by a misogynist

[Caroline David · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have long admired Senator McSally for her advocacy for sexual assault survivors in the military. This book touched on her work and history with sexual assault in the military but it also shows so much more of what truly defines her. Her hard work ethic that she received from her parents, how the loss of her dad at such a young age changed her, and what her time at the Air Force Academy and as an A-10 fighter pilot did for her. It was so interesting to learn the ins and outs of her service and she presented it in an easy to understand and matter-of-fact way.

[Lynton Lam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring stories of McSally's life, I really enjoyed learning through her trials and tribulations in the military - some great takeaways. McSally writes confidently and with grace as she explains the worst moments of her life and how they enabled her to do amazing things!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and inspiring read. There is much to admire about Senator (Colonel) McSally. Before entering politics, she served in the US Air Force for 22 years. If I had to describe her in one word, it would be — tenacious! She showed tremendous resolve and determination fighting for the rights of women in the military (in particular when stationed in a Muslim-majority country). It was interesting to read about her experiences at the Air Force Academy, her flying the A-10 in combat missions, and also her achievements in training for and competing in triathlons and marathons.

[Beka · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book I read in 2023 and it was definitely a page turner, Martha McSallys book Dare to Fly thought many important lessons about pushing yourself and tapping in to your “misery database” as she calls it. Definitely a must read! Be forewarned there are some trigger warnings, so make sure you double check to see if this book is right for you!

[Kim Ringle · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great, great read for any woman to be inspired. Martha is a fighter, for women.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome life lessons

I am not a Republican but I gotta say as a fan of military aviation + self-help books + biographies; this one is a DELTA HOTEL. Some really good, sage advice in here about overcoming adversity and changing bad cultures to better. Please read.

[Jonathan Drnjevic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am not a fan of Senator McSally's politics. That said, there is MUCH inspirational and helpful in this memoir/collection of essays. It's a worthwhile read for sure.

[Katherine S · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-read for any strong woman! Martha’s tales of courage and overcoming fear are unlike any other. Highly recommended.

[James Yee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got a copy of the book as part of a fundraiser campaign. I was expecting it to be an autobiography, but it was actually more like an autobiographical lessons-learned type book. Most of it seemed like common sense advice, so I didn't find myself highlighting any brilliant quotes or ideas in it. But it did give me new appreciation of what the author has accomplished and gone through in life.

Since I was expecting an autobiography, at first I thought it was a little disjointing to read because chronologically it's all over the place. But if you keep in mind that each chapter is supposed to be its own lesson, then it makes more sense. For example, in one chapter she might be talking about her experiences in the Air Force Academy, and then the next chapter she's talking about her grade-school days, and then the next chapter she's talking about her life running for Congress.

Anyhow, worth a read to understand where she's coming from and what she's about. But don't expect to be blown away with any new ideas or tips. Also, some of the advice tends to be faith-based. So some people might be turned off by the reliance on "The Force" at times (that's me paraphrasing and trying to keep it religiously-neutral).

[CatReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I don't necessarily share Colonel McSally's political or religious views, there is a lot to admire about this memoir. Colonel McSally has demonstrated immense grit throughout her life, from battling and helping to dismantle sexism in the US military, risking her career and reputation to engage in a multi-year, largely singlehanded crusade to stop requiring women military personnel to dress in traditional Muslim coverings while stationed in Saudi Arabia and otherwise act in subservient roles to their male colleagues when in public (whereas there was never such a requirement for male military personnel), and speaking up about her own experiences as a survivor of sexual assault in the military and to change the system to prevent further acts of sexual violence against military members regardless of gender and orientation. Her courage and integrity in those instances add to those of other women who've more recently publicly spoken about about societal sexism and sexual violence.

[Sierra Charlesworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It definitely was more of a “life lessons” book than an actual memoir. I enjoyed her stories, her grit & tenacity, feminism, relationship to God and her dogs (🥰), her drive, and the specific lessons she taught.
I wanted a little more detail in the stories, a timeline of events (perhaps in more chronological order??), and more emotion. Writing was good, but not great. Good read, though.

Loved these two quotes:

“None of us is born either courageous or fearful. We learn courage or fear from patterns- and we can unlearn them as well. It doesn’t mean that we will vanquish fear, but it does mean that each of us can find the ability to decide to do things afraid. Doing things afraid means learning to push to the fear and anxiety, to find a way to the other side.”

“It is possible to live and thrive through the darkness, trusting that the darkness cannot live forever and that the night will end.”

[Anne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read the hardback. I bought it at the Bookstore at the Military Women's Memorial. McSally isn't my Senator nor do I have the same beliefs as her but I bought it thinking that she'd have something of interest to say. She speaks quite a bit about her religious beliefs and love of animals particularly her dogs.

Her experience in advocating has primarily been on her behalf. She made it so female service members didn't have to wear a hijab when serving in Saudi Arabia/Kuwait and other predominantly Muslim countries. She felt that wearing the abaya & sitting at the back of the car was against her religion & shouldn't have to do it. I agree - it was a stupid rule that the military had. But there are millions of them. She got the rule changed - though it took years.

Now that she's in a position of power in the Senate - I'm looking for her to do something great for all the women of the US - not just herself.

[Adrienne]

I found this book very inspiring. Ms McSally relates her challenges in beng the first woman to fly a combat jet plane and her decision to successfully run for congress in Arizona. She is honest and forthright in revealing challenges she faced on a personal level.
Her writing is good. Any time I picked up this book, it was hard to put down. The book is arranged in chapters with quotes at the start of each, reflecting the theme of that chapter.
It is a great book for these covid times, giving encouragement to anyone pursuing their life's dreams.
I highly recommend it.

[LAMONT D · Rating 4 out of 5]

UNBELIEVABLE TENACITY IS ON DISPLAY AS SHE RETELLS HER CHALLENGES STARTING WITH LOSING HER DAD AT A YOUNG AGE ALL THE WAY THROUGH THE MILITARY YEARS AND GOING TO WASHINGTON, FIRST TO THE HOUSE AND THEN BRIEFLY TO THE SENATE. HER HONESTY AND TRANSPARENCY GIVE YOU A GLIMPSE OF WHAT IT WAS LIKE BEING THE FIRST FEMALE PILOT TO FLY A COMBAT MISSION WHILE OVERCOMING ALL THE NEGATIVE AND SOMETIMES HORRENDOUS THINGS THROWN AT HER FOR BEING A FEMALE IN THE MILITARY. WHAT AN EXAMPLE TO YOUNG LADIES TO OVERCOME ADVERSITY TO ACHIEVE YOUR DREAM AND YOUR GOALS.

[Kendra Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn’t so much a memoir, as it is a grouping of lessons learned throughout life. I would have liked a little more memoir in there, and more feeling. She felt pretty emotionally detached from some very serious and awful experiences. Overall though, I loved the lessons and will take some with me. Her grit and perseverance in the face of being told no or finding obstacles was inspiring. I also loved her mantra to “do things afraid.” She is a badass woman who has done a lot of good for other women in this world!

[Sheppard C. Webb, MD · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some insight, a bit preachy

A good deal of work went into this book. It is earnest and honest. I loved the vignettes and lessons learned, but although I’m sure the good Senator shares her religious views with candor and honesty, as an atheist, I found some of the book rather preachy. But the descriptions of her early life, education, training, missions, and moral soul-searching were riveting and at the same time thought provoking.

[Roxanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Direct, strong, precise advice intertwined with her personal successes, struggles, failures after which she gets back up, looks directly into the eyes of those impeding her progress and the progress of women and men in moving beyond gender bias. Me thinks she will run for president one day, and I will likely give her my vote.

[Jerry Scrivo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inspiring

Martha has an amazing Story. I agree that we need to attack each new challenge believing that we can succeed even if we don’t know how to accomplish the seemingly impossible. That is how we learn and the truth is that we learn more from failure than from success. Failure may be painful, but fear of failure is our greatest limitation.

[Hetal Sonpal · Rating 4 out of 5]

this is a remarkable story of Martha, who makes her way as the first female US Air Force fighter pilot and then goes on to become a US Senator. And all this when women did not have much of a chance to rise up, even in the US, is quite remarkable. this is a story of grit and determination and should be an inspiring read for all.

[Sarah Danial · Rating 4 out of 5]

McSally accomplishments are remarkable, especially in a male-dominated military environment in which she broke many barriers. The chapters of the book depict incidents which are intended to explain the title of the chapter. McSally is a devout Christian and she shows her faith throughout the book.

[Andrew J Hebert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worthwhile Read

Martha has been a champion of American values: faith, service, and above all, integrity. Thank you for sharing your life and hard learned lessons as well as opening our eyes to the need to doing something.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was not as in depth in her life as I expected. However, I learned a lot from the leadership lessons, and I could not put the book down. It was a very easy read, and I will probably wind up rereading the book later.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting and inspiring read. There are many reveals contained in the book that gives really good advice about overcoming adversity and changing bad cultures to the better. Martha comes off as an advocate for change. I really enjoyed the book.

[Danielle Ellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn't familiar with Senator McSally before, but after reading this I have tremendous respect for her and all she's been through.

[Marsha Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Worthwhile book! She uses her life stories to teach true principles. This would be an ideal book for any young woman to read, or even not so young!
Good lessons for everyone to learn or relearn.

[Jeff · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an impressive lady. I would be honoured to meet her. She has an incredible drive that puts me to shame. Read this book.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

She has accomplished a lot, but I did not find anything special about this book.

[Danica Holdaway · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super inspiring and impressive but also made me feel like the weakest link and made me hate the military

[Riley Hanni · Rating 5 out of 5]

My only issue with this book is that it wasn’t long or detailed enough! Loved it.