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

224 pages, Hardcover

Published May 26, 2020

Reviews

[Clay Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great portrait of civilian and military life, warts and all.

[Spectre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Senator McSally describes some of her accomplishments and personal trials in this motivational essay.

[Rupert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my Top Ten Favorites of all time, and I only have about five of those top-ten slots filled so far. Dare To Fly-Simple Lessons in Never Giving Up, is truly a "Must Read" if you are the least bit into real-life, inspirational stories that can and will lift your mind-heart-and-spirit, give you "YES!!" moments with both tears and laughter, along with non-condescending and tip-of-the-point wisdom, for which McSally paid dearly to gain. It's all built on unassailably-solid integrity, a lot of candid disclosure, and foundational truth, all of which seem to exist in shorter and shorter supply these days.
My best 'review' is to ask that you just start reading it. Martha McSally is the 'real deal' of someone who has suffered and endured loads of crazy (stuff), who thrived mightily in spite of all her burdens and trials.
If you have even an inkling to read this book, please do yourself and others a favor, by moving it into your most important books to read in 2024. You CAN become the victor you want and need to be, and perhaps the example someone else needs too, as they see you overcome sorrows and shackles that may be quite hidden or buried, or very visible. This book is a lifting symphony and triumphant harmony of hope!

[Rhoniesha Seubert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Martha McSally is an inspiration! As I read through her experiences, I found myself envisioning a future where I could emulate her strength and conviction. She beautifully portrayed her courage to stand up for her beliefs, especially within the confines of the military, where conformity often reigns supreme. It's a truly inspirational book.

[Alicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! Full disclosure: I really love Sen. McSally's story and since this book was just a drawn-out version of her life events I thoroughly enjoyed reading all about it.

She is definitely a woman of "firsts." First female to be the CIC of the Assault Course (this made me LOL because the Assault Course CIC when I did BCT in the summer of 2018 was "Assault Course Jackson" who was a 220 lb. man...). First female fighter pilot to fly in combat. First female to command a fighter squadron. You get the gist. Overall badass and well-rounded public figure.

She structures this book into 12-14 life lessons each attached to a different moment in either her Air Force or Congressional career and this made it engaging, interesting, and easy to follow.

I would categorize this book as more of a memoir and less as a self-help, gimmicky "how to succeed in life" publication, which was definitely a better way to format her overall personal narrative. Sen. McSally's life demands attention and framing it as a personal account did it justice.

I highly recommend this book to everyone because I firmly believe no matter who you are you might learn something from reading it!

[Maddy MacDonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok honestly didn’t hate this even though i expected to not enjoy it. her stories and life experiences are really interesting and engaging, it’s just the fact that she incorporated basic pieces of advice as like the selling point????? she’d talk about all these crazy military experiences and then be like “and that’s why wingmen are so important” or “i never look past an issue, i always try and do something about it” which like period but it’s like she was writing a persuasive essay in 11th grade. also the ending felt veryyyyy essay-like which i don’t enjoy in a book but overall i liked her life experience.

[C. Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

A readable and inspirational story. It has insights from a variety of aspects of this fascinating American's life -- childhood events, education, military service, becoming a pilot, being a good neighbor and a dog lover, athletics, spirituality, and politics all play a part in the story, but it never bogs down. I found this book used, and it's a great example of the sort of serendipity I love to experience when casually shopping for used books, not knowing what I might find, but being open to something new and good.

[Aubrey Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had never heard of Martha McSally before this Book Club pick but I really love her grit and attitude. In this memoir, she talks about overcoming many obstacles to become the first female fighter pilot in the US Air Force. She's such a force and inspiration.

"When we survive challenging times, persevere through tragedy, dig down deep to meet a difficult goal, push through pain and adversity and succeed, it gives us a memory to strengthen us for future challenges. Adversity and difficulties viewed through this lens have positive potential in our lives."

[Dave Hale · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping that I could use this book to inspire my 14-year-old granddaughter into aviation pursuits. McSally's over-use of jargon, profanity, and insubordination were killers as educational material. While I appreciate the challenges she faced, and ultimately overcame, I felt this book was just a little too raw to hand to a teen and say: "Here is an inspirational story that can open your eyes and motivate you to become successful."

[Stephanie Cairns · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this book. I expected it to be more of a memoir, though it is set up moreso as each chapter being a life lesson. I did find it jumped around a little and I was a little confused about the timeline the events took place, though again since it wasn’t a memoir this wasn’t a huge problem.

[Gene Ruppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

An in-depth look at Martha’s life and her life experiences. I found it inspiring, compelling and often anecdotal. Worth the read!

[Riley Pickett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book about someone who overcame countless trials to soar to great heights. Overall a really good book.

[Lauren S · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the best book I have read this year. I couldn’t put it down. I’m so inspired by all McSally’s accomplishments and the way she fought through difficult, sometimes tragic times. Great read.

[Maya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my mom's book and typically we don't have the same taste in reading but this seemed different then her historical fiction books so I decided to try it. This book was not bad at all. Despite being something that is totally different than what I normally read in that sense.