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Call Sign, White Lily: The Life and Loves of the World's First Female Fighter Pilot
Call Sign, White Lily is the never-before-told story of the world's first female fighter pilot, the beautiful Russian born, Lilia Litvyak, 1921-1943.
As a child, she was mesmerized by fireflies, loved the scent of white lilies and skated like the wind on Moscow's ice ponds. By the tender age of 14, aviation became her passion; by 16 she had completed her first solo flight; and, by 18 she had trained some 40 male pilots. When Hitler invaded Russia, she became the first female fighter pilot to enter the Motherland's elite all-male 437th IAP. There she flew 168 missions, downed 15 Messersmitts, fell in love with and married her commanding officer, the handsome Captain Alexi Solomatin, who subsequently perished before her eyes. Lilia was shot down for a fourth and final time on August 12, 1943, 17 days shy of her 22nd birthday near the tiny village of Marinovka, in what we now know as the Eastern Ukraine. Due to the absence of her remains at the time, the severe restrictions of post-war communism and the eventual partioning of the Ukraine itself, Lilia's exploits and sacrifices went largely unrecognized until May 5, 1990, when then President Mikhail Gorbachev awarded Lilia the country's highest honor, Hero of the Soviet Union. Today a monument and museum reside in Lilia's name in the modest town of Krasny Luch, not far from the scene of her final battle.
396 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
168 people are currently reading
190 people want to read
About the author
M.G. Crisci
24 books20 followersM. G. Crisci
Stories that entertain. People you’ll remember. Literature that matters.
Manhattan-born M.G. Crisci is the critically-acclaimed author of 16 books inspired by real events, a former Fortune 500 senior executive, an internationally-recognized brand-building expert, a thought-provoking East-West social commentator, and an award-winning journalist.
M.G. has been elected to Who’s Who in the World 23 times for his business, literary, and cultural contributions, and received several lifetime achievement awards.
mgcrisci.com
Youtube.com/worldofmgcrisci
twitter.com/worldofmgcrisci
https://amz.run/3KXS
Stories that entertain. People you’ll remember. Literature that matters.
Manhattan-born M.G. Crisci is the critically-acclaimed author of 16 books inspired by real events, a former Fortune 500 senior executive, an internationally-recognized brand-building expert, a thought-provoking East-West social commentator, and an award-winning journalist.
M.G. has been elected to Who’s Who in the World 23 times for his business, literary, and cultural contributions, and received several lifetime achievement awards.
mgcrisci.com
Youtube.com/worldofmgcrisci
twitter.com/worldofmgcrisci
https://amz.run/3KXS
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 23, 2017
I wanted to love this book. Really I did. There's a dearth of good books about this amazing woman in print. However, the authors almost laughable grasp of Aviation and history made it impossible to enjoy this book. The inconsistencies and complete wrongness of some of the facts were just too glaring.
For instance, the Polikarpov PO-2 Mule biplane, the main mount of the famous Night Witches, is a product of 1929, and first flew over a DECADE after WWI, which the author says it was a veteran of. Later he states the same aircraft has a bomb bay. It is far too small for that, and the bombs were attached under the bottom wing.
Later, further proving no real research into aviation history was done, Crisci states that Litvyak shot down Eric Hartmann. THIS NEVER OCCURED.
The episode he twists around was Lidia shooting down Staff Sergeant Erwin Maier, who, while an Ace, was in no way, shape, or form the TOP ACE OF ALL TIME. Other information from earlier in the book seemed very spurious, however, I have not personally talked to any of the survivors that knew her when she was a child, so can't I say if those episodes are entirely fabricated or not.
She also never got married, and even the author shows this by using letters she wrote home. If she had gotten married, don't you think she would have told her mother? I understand his book was supposed to be fiction, but it's based on a historical figure .... don't you think maybe some research should have been done first?
For instance, the Polikarpov PO-2 Mule biplane, the main mount of the famous Night Witches, is a product of 1929, and first flew over a DECADE after WWI, which the author says it was a veteran of. Later he states the same aircraft has a bomb bay. It is far too small for that, and the bombs were attached under the bottom wing.
Later, further proving no real research into aviation history was done, Crisci states that Litvyak shot down Eric Hartmann. THIS NEVER OCCURED.
The episode he twists around was Lidia shooting down Staff Sergeant Erwin Maier, who, while an Ace, was in no way, shape, or form the TOP ACE OF ALL TIME. Other information from earlier in the book seemed very spurious, however, I have not personally talked to any of the survivors that knew her when she was a child, so can't I say if those episodes are entirely fabricated or not.
She also never got married, and even the author shows this by using letters she wrote home. If she had gotten married, don't you think she would have told her mother? I understand his book was supposed to be fiction, but it's based on a historical figure .... don't you think maybe some research should have been done first?
May 12, 2024
Lilia’s story is filled with bravery, passion and commodore between women living in a man’s world. Crisci’s dedication writes that he set out to portray Lilia’s story as she was unknown for her bravery and progressiveness in the war, and that he did. The novel shows Lilia’s courage, intelligence and determination from day one. From infancy, Lilia was constantly solving problems and breaking down barriers. As she aged, she became a bombshell beauty, sporting her signature red lipstick and a scarf. I absolutely loved this about Lilia. She continually proved there could be a good mix between masculine ferocity at war and feminine beauty. Shooting down German fighter pilots while wearing red lipstick was iconic! I think it’s sad more people don’t know Lilia’s story. I hope this changes with Crisci’s novel!
My favorite part of the book - the photos. This novel contains 94 rare photographs. Multiple photos are of Lilia herself with her plane and her friends Katya and Inna. These were so special, I absolutely loved seeing this piece of history for myself. It really brings the story to life. You can see Lilia’s beauty and the fire in her eyes! Such a special piece of history to be able to see without taking the long trip to Ukraine! Speaking of that, given the chance I would love to visit her museum. This book has opened a door to an incredible woman’s history I would relish to see in person!
The only thing I didn’t like about the novel - the way it is written in a “story” format. Crisci’s foreword states he thinks people would learn about history more if it were written in an entertaining story-like way. He also notes “due to the passage of time” some events had to be imagined, which I understand. I just continually wondered which parts of Lilia’s story were stretched for the book, and which were historically accurate. I would assume the majority of big events noted are historically accurate as Crisci put so much time and effort into researching her life!
My favorite part of the book - the photos. This novel contains 94 rare photographs. Multiple photos are of Lilia herself with her plane and her friends Katya and Inna. These were so special, I absolutely loved seeing this piece of history for myself. It really brings the story to life. You can see Lilia’s beauty and the fire in her eyes! Such a special piece of history to be able to see without taking the long trip to Ukraine! Speaking of that, given the chance I would love to visit her museum. This book has opened a door to an incredible woman’s history I would relish to see in person!
The only thing I didn’t like about the novel - the way it is written in a “story” format. Crisci’s foreword states he thinks people would learn about history more if it were written in an entertaining story-like way. He also notes “due to the passage of time” some events had to be imagined, which I understand. I just continually wondered which parts of Lilia’s story were stretched for the book, and which were historically accurate. I would assume the majority of big events noted are historically accurate as Crisci put so much time and effort into researching her life!
August 14, 2022
I really wanted to like this book. The astonishing sacrifices made by tens of millions of men and women in the Great Patriotic War for a state that was often cruel and manipulative make that conflict, for me, one of the most inspiring events of the last century.
Lt. Litvyak makes a great subject. Her father is executed by the state for imaginary crimes. Her personality is willful and demanding. The family loves many of the traditions that the new Soviet state is forcibly trying to eliminate. But despite it all, she pushes aside her mother´s objections, society´s disapproval, and her own peaceful sensibilities to become a soldier in the Red Army.
The book never really tells us why. The author acknowledges that it is in many ways a work of historical fiction, an imagined account, and gives himself the freedom to give Litvyak thoughts and motives, which he fails to do. Instead, he tells us folktales, romantic dreams, and cautionary tales, each compelling in their own way but incapable of explaining the actions of the real Litvyak or even of his own character.
A minor, though constant irritant, is really terrible editing. Litvyak´s age is occasionally misstated, her airplane is sometimes a Yak-1 other times a Yak-3, the author puts the discovery of her airplane´s wreckage in 1986 and the official declaration of that fact in 1979. Typographical errors, even mistaken indentation, are common and some photographs are mislabeled. This is the 5th edition, making one wonder what the first was like.
Lt. Litvyak makes a great subject. Her father is executed by the state for imaginary crimes. Her personality is willful and demanding. The family loves many of the traditions that the new Soviet state is forcibly trying to eliminate. But despite it all, she pushes aside her mother´s objections, society´s disapproval, and her own peaceful sensibilities to become a soldier in the Red Army.
The book never really tells us why. The author acknowledges that it is in many ways a work of historical fiction, an imagined account, and gives himself the freedom to give Litvyak thoughts and motives, which he fails to do. Instead, he tells us folktales, romantic dreams, and cautionary tales, each compelling in their own way but incapable of explaining the actions of the real Litvyak or even of his own character.
A minor, though constant irritant, is really terrible editing. Litvyak´s age is occasionally misstated, her airplane is sometimes a Yak-1 other times a Yak-3, the author puts the discovery of her airplane´s wreckage in 1986 and the official declaration of that fact in 1979. Typographical errors, even mistaken indentation, are common and some photographs are mislabeled. This is the 5th edition, making one wonder what the first was like.
January 15, 2023
She was an Amazing pilot
I would have given it a 5 if there wasn't timeline continuity issues because based on her date of birth and the years that we're put with the paragraphs she would have been 16 not 14 but I'm not really sure because she could have done it when she was 14 to 16. Unfortunately I'm a very detail oriented person so having those kinds of issues just drove me nuts the entire time I read the book. But the story of her was amazing it's weird that nobody talks about her. She did more before she died at 22 then most people will do in their entire lives.
I would have given it a 5 if there wasn't timeline continuity issues because based on her date of birth and the years that we're put with the paragraphs she would have been 16 not 14 but I'm not really sure because she could have done it when she was 14 to 16. Unfortunately I'm a very detail oriented person so having those kinds of issues just drove me nuts the entire time I read the book. But the story of her was amazing it's weird that nobody talks about her. She did more before she died at 22 then most people will do in their entire lives.
May 10, 2021
The wording of this book is so choppy.
Theoretically, since these are Soviet citizens, they are speaking Russian. OK, so it's written in English for the audience (me, you, whoever).
The problem is with the way the characters speak - it's as if they are speaking halting, choppy English instead of their own native language.
I really hate when authors do this.
Theoretically, since these are Soviet citizens, they are speaking Russian. OK, so it's written in English for the audience (me, you, whoever).
The problem is with the way the characters speak - it's as if they are speaking halting, choppy English instead of their own native language.
I really hate when authors do this.
June 2, 2012
I could not put this book down. I loved it and can't wait to read others by him!
November 3, 2024
One can only wonder at the number of obstacles and aggravations a female, a teenager, and a daughter of a murdered enemy of the Stalinist state had to overcome, face down or ignore to become fist a licensed pilot, then instructor and ultimately a front-line fighter pilot. Her wartime record includes over 250 missions and 15 unassisted kills. Her Fame in Russia would attract the notice of that unitary executive, the dictator of Germany, Adolph Hitler, thereby adding to the risks and issues unique to her life. Say her name: Lilia Litvyak. Call Sign White Lily: World's First Female Fighter-Pilot Becomes Hitler's Worst Nightmare by M.G. Crisci represents a valiant first effort to record her biography.
Mr. Crisci should be credited with making a serious effort to hunt down people who may have know Ms Litvyak .She had been nearly lost to all but local history for decades. Little of early life would have been recorded and those interviewed would be motivated to speak of her as a hero. It is reasonable to believe that there is very little verifiable or certain about much of her years. For example, where her school records can be found, Ms Litvyat seems like a good student. When it comes to childhood recollections, she always seems to be the hero or leader of childish escapades. She is the one who invented the games and found ways to include the younger or less adept players.
As for growing up in not just Soviet Russia, but Russia under Stalin, Mr. Crisci tends too much to straddle. He is very clear about the over haste in her father’s fall from honored leader in Russia’s railroad system, to a murdered victim of a jealous denunciation and arrest as an enemy of the state.
Mr Crisci also seems to have problems defining his intended audience. At times he seems to be writing for a YA audience. This may explain his decision to include made up conversations. The tendency to sugar coat Stalin’s Russia , to the degree that he does, seems to reflect a need to avoid lengthy digressions into the many ways this world was made to be a hard life, beyond that which was justifiable.
It is also possible that Mr. Crisci either could not imagine the number of ways an attractive blonde, female teen might be targeted for mistreatment, disrespect and abuse as she forced herself forward among not only males, but males with legitimate reason to hold themselves as the elite of males, fighter pilots. It is also possible that WWII Russia had enough female leaders and coworkers that Ms Lidyvat was unusual but not as much of a challenge to her male counterparts. It is creditable that as she survived and succeeded as a warrior, there was less time and less support for those who might not respect their fellow pilot
Whatever its limits, practical and personal reflected in the telling of Call Sign White Lily: World's First Female Fighter-Pilot Becomes Hitler's Worst Nightmare by M.G. Crisci; hers is a story that needs telling. Say her name, with respect: Lilia Litvyak.
Mr. Crisci should be credited with making a serious effort to hunt down people who may have know Ms Litvyak .She had been nearly lost to all but local history for decades. Little of early life would have been recorded and those interviewed would be motivated to speak of her as a hero. It is reasonable to believe that there is very little verifiable or certain about much of her years. For example, where her school records can be found, Ms Litvyat seems like a good student. When it comes to childhood recollections, she always seems to be the hero or leader of childish escapades. She is the one who invented the games and found ways to include the younger or less adept players.
As for growing up in not just Soviet Russia, but Russia under Stalin, Mr. Crisci tends too much to straddle. He is very clear about the over haste in her father’s fall from honored leader in Russia’s railroad system, to a murdered victim of a jealous denunciation and arrest as an enemy of the state.
Mr Crisci also seems to have problems defining his intended audience. At times he seems to be writing for a YA audience. This may explain his decision to include made up conversations. The tendency to sugar coat Stalin’s Russia , to the degree that he does, seems to reflect a need to avoid lengthy digressions into the many ways this world was made to be a hard life, beyond that which was justifiable.
It is also possible that Mr. Crisci either could not imagine the number of ways an attractive blonde, female teen might be targeted for mistreatment, disrespect and abuse as she forced herself forward among not only males, but males with legitimate reason to hold themselves as the elite of males, fighter pilots. It is also possible that WWII Russia had enough female leaders and coworkers that Ms Lidyvat was unusual but not as much of a challenge to her male counterparts. It is creditable that as she survived and succeeded as a warrior, there was less time and less support for those who might not respect their fellow pilot
Whatever its limits, practical and personal reflected in the telling of Call Sign White Lily: World's First Female Fighter-Pilot Becomes Hitler's Worst Nightmare by M.G. Crisci; hers is a story that needs telling. Say her name, with respect: Lilia Litvyak.
May 10, 2021
An intriguing and very unusual war story
This book came about because the author was in a taxi driven by a Russian immigrant. In a conversation with him, he asked the Russian what he felt was the most unknown thing about Russia. The reply was that no one in the West knows that 30 million Russians perished in WW2.
This eventually led the author to find some way to memorialize the efforts of the Russians to overcome the Nazis.
By some very convoluted contacts, he became connected with some Ukrainian ladies who had a very compelling story to tell about a young female pilot who was buried in their town. It was up to him to reconstruct the whole story in English from Russian documents and photographs.
It is an amazing reconstruction, one that is quite moving. And it is quite a memorial to all those who fought and died in just trying to survive. It can be classified as historical fiction, because the major facts are supported by documentation, but the personal interactions may well be fictional. It is true that the author had access to a personal friend of the legendary Lily, but only after a long span of years.
This story brings to mind the resistance of Hans and Sophy Scholl, young resisters of Hitler in Germany. Their idealism was easily the equivalent of Lily's and their end was easily as fatal as hers. But I see the same devotion to protecting their heritage, no matter the cost.
This book came about because the author was in a taxi driven by a Russian immigrant. In a conversation with him, he asked the Russian what he felt was the most unknown thing about Russia. The reply was that no one in the West knows that 30 million Russians perished in WW2.
This eventually led the author to find some way to memorialize the efforts of the Russians to overcome the Nazis.
By some very convoluted contacts, he became connected with some Ukrainian ladies who had a very compelling story to tell about a young female pilot who was buried in their town. It was up to him to reconstruct the whole story in English from Russian documents and photographs.
It is an amazing reconstruction, one that is quite moving. And it is quite a memorial to all those who fought and died in just trying to survive. It can be classified as historical fiction, because the major facts are supported by documentation, but the personal interactions may well be fictional. It is true that the author had access to a personal friend of the legendary Lily, but only after a long span of years.
This story brings to mind the resistance of Hans and Sophy Scholl, young resisters of Hitler in Germany. Their idealism was easily the equivalent of Lily's and their end was easily as fatal as hers. But I see the same devotion to protecting their heritage, no matter the cost.
September 12, 2023
This book was a disappointing read. Not because of the subject, Litvyak was phenomenally accomplished as a pilot, but because the author wanted to write an "entertaining" story.
Lilia Litvyak is presented as a determined individual, constantly having to face incredible challenges, only to have them resolved relatively quickly, either by a conversation or her looks causing men to instantly fall in love with her. She feels less like a real person and more like an American man's fantasy of a female fighter pilot.
Every person mentioned in this book feels flat. There's an unnecessary pillow fight scene that introduces one woman that we literally never hear about again. There are some historical inaccuracies, there are mathematical inaccuracies, and everyone sounds like a Russian character from an 80's movie.
If you want some added fun, check any of the references in the questionably cited "References" section.
Lilia Litvyak is presented as a determined individual, constantly having to face incredible challenges, only to have them resolved relatively quickly, either by a conversation or her looks causing men to instantly fall in love with her. She feels less like a real person and more like an American man's fantasy of a female fighter pilot.
Every person mentioned in this book feels flat. There's an unnecessary pillow fight scene that introduces one woman that we literally never hear about again. There are some historical inaccuracies, there are mathematical inaccuracies, and everyone sounds like a Russian character from an 80's movie.
If you want some added fun, check any of the references in the questionably cited "References" section.
February 16, 2021
The best book that I have read in years. I recommend it to friends of mine who are air plane nuts. Well researched and documented. The lady was one hell of a pilot.
Not an easy book to put down, and the best I read in years. I recommend it to anyone with a love of history and aviation.
Not an easy book to put down, and the best I read in years. I recommend it to anyone with a love of history and aviation.
November 26, 2020
Well written
Well written and interesting historic tribute to the fierce young Russian patriot and pilot, White Lily, who gave her life for her Motherland. Thank you for your service to the global community, Lilia. A big investment of MG Crisci's time, energy, and heart.
Well written and interesting historic tribute to the fierce young Russian patriot and pilot, White Lily, who gave her life for her Motherland. Thank you for your service to the global community, Lilia. A big investment of MG Crisci's time, energy, and heart.
May 31, 2021
Russia in WWII
I found this book very informative about Russia’s involvement in WWII. The perspective of this book has made me curious about Russia’s determination and sacrifice in fighting Hitler.
I found this book very informative about Russia’s involvement in WWII. The perspective of this book has made me curious about Russia’s determination and sacrifice in fighting Hitler.
June 16, 2021
Page-turning good read
Very informative about the WWII Era in Russia. Especially about living under communist tyranny and oppression. The desire of most people to protect their society to death is very similar to American values!
Very informative about the WWII Era in Russia. Especially about living under communist tyranny and oppression. The desire of most people to protect their society to death is very similar to American values!
September 8, 2021
Incredible story
This was an interesting story and would make a great movie. The heroine in this book is brought to life by the author and and I would have been proud to meet the White Lily.
This was an interesting story and would make a great movie. The heroine in this book is brought to life by the author and and I would have been proud to meet the White Lily.
September 19, 2021
Based on a True Story this book revealed something I never knew: women flew combat missions in WWII FROM Russia against Germany
One pilot was singled out and her story told from early childhood until her body was found
Very informative and moving. Highly recommend for anyone interested in WWII
One pilot was singled out and her story told from early childhood until her body was found
Very informative and moving. Highly recommend for anyone interested in WWII
December 20, 2021
A real pioneer
A loving portrait of a remarkable woman. A book of war history that shows the brutality of war and political control of the population.
Interspersed are pictures of the love and joy of humanity.
A loving portrait of a remarkable woman. A book of war history that shows the brutality of war and political control of the population.
Interspersed are pictures of the love and joy of humanity.
December 27, 2025
Female Fighter pilots 100 years before the West
So interesting and engaging. A story so few have heard. This is a book for you if you like untold WWII, aviation or heroine historical fiction.
So interesting and engaging. A story so few have heard. This is a book for you if you like untold WWII, aviation or heroine historical fiction.
December 28, 2019
I read this seven years ago and loved it. I had to read it again after reading The Huntress. I suggest reading these two books together. (a note, my edition had several editorial errors, I was able to read through the errors. even with the errors the book is a great read!)
March 31, 2021
Good Historical Fiction
A good review of World War II from a view we were never taught. I hope I get to see her museum some day.
A good review of World War II from a view we were never taught. I hope I get to see her museum some day.
January 5, 2023
Great story.
February 1, 2024
Very interesting story, but poorly written and full of typos!
January 29, 2014
I'm a lover of history and I've always been especially drawn to World War II history. As an American, my knowledge of Russian WWII history is limited to what I've read in history books and other memoirs and biographies of the war. I didn't know that there was a regiment of women pilots who broke through the barriers and gave women a chance to be equal to men in the fight for their homeland, their families and their way of life. I picked up this book to see who this White Lily was. I was pleasantly surprised by the narrative.
Lilia Litvyak was born to Vladimir and Anna, a couple who had started out as peasant farmers who dreamed of a better life. Through their hard work and dedication to their country, they were able to give Lilia a comfortable life. She was stubborn and head-strong from a young age. She loved the wildflowers her mother would place by her bed every night and they would continue to be a prominent factor in her life until the end. She was athletic, intelligent and beautiful. Whenever anyone underestimated her, she would not only prove them wrong, she would do it in spectacular fashion.
She was bitten by the flying bug very early in her life and she made it her dream to become a pilot. She wanted to be a fighter pilot and then later, she wanted to be the pilot of an aircraft that would bring people across Russia in peace, for pleasure. She was definitely ahead of her time! She had the respect of her parents if not their outright approval and she began working for the local aerodrome when she was just 14 years old. She worked her way from doing clerical work to then doing the dirtiest work of all, cleaning out the oil pits. She earned the respect of the owners and was soon trained to be a pilot. She was so good at what she did that she was then asked to train other young men to fly.
This was good enough for awhile, but she soon wanted more. She wanted to be in the air fighting for her Motherland. Stalin finally gave grudging permission for a women air corps and Lilia was one of the first pilots. She quickly rose in the ranks and proved herself both inside and outside of combat. Eventually she was sent to the front to fight with the best Russian pilots. She quickly earned the respect of her superiors and to the men of her unit. She shattered the glass ceiling. The accomplishments that Lilia had in her young life rival those of many people 4 times her age. It's easy to see why she not only earned the respect and admiration of an entire Russian nation, but also the ire of the Nazi regime. They were repeatedly humiliated by a waif of a girl!!
This was a very well written and engaging book. The characters were very well written and it was easy to become immersed in Lilia's life. You laughed with her and cried with and for her. The book goes through her life from her very humble beginnings and travels through her trials, tragedies and her valor and heroics. I completely enjoyed reading this book and it opened a whole new aspect of WWII history for me. I look forward to learning more about Lilia and the women of the Russian military and their contributions to save their Motherland. What a wonderful story about how a woman can still be a woman even when she's gunning down Nazis! I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in history, especially those who want to learn more about what roles women played.
I give this book 4 very enthusiastic stars. The only reason the book didn't receive 5 stars was because of the way the book was formatted. It's something I'm seeing more and more with e-books. Instead of having normal paragraphs with indentations, they're formatted with the space or double space between the paragraphs. Yes, the whole book looks like my review! It doesn't really detract from the story at all, just more of a personal preference to see e-books follow their print book cousins. I was a little disappointed in the cover for this book as well. With so many beautiful and amazing pictures and drawings of Lilia, they instead have chosen to put a young woman with long, blonde hair on the cover. In doing some searching, it looks like other editions actually have a drawing of Lilia on the cover. I would have much preferred to see that cover instead of the one that it has now. Again, a personal preference. I would still recommend this book to anyone who is interested in history, WWII and especially those who are wanting to see the war effort and the work and efforts that women put forth.
Lilia Litvyak was born to Vladimir and Anna, a couple who had started out as peasant farmers who dreamed of a better life. Through their hard work and dedication to their country, they were able to give Lilia a comfortable life. She was stubborn and head-strong from a young age. She loved the wildflowers her mother would place by her bed every night and they would continue to be a prominent factor in her life until the end. She was athletic, intelligent and beautiful. Whenever anyone underestimated her, she would not only prove them wrong, she would do it in spectacular fashion.
She was bitten by the flying bug very early in her life and she made it her dream to become a pilot. She wanted to be a fighter pilot and then later, she wanted to be the pilot of an aircraft that would bring people across Russia in peace, for pleasure. She was definitely ahead of her time! She had the respect of her parents if not their outright approval and she began working for the local aerodrome when she was just 14 years old. She worked her way from doing clerical work to then doing the dirtiest work of all, cleaning out the oil pits. She earned the respect of the owners and was soon trained to be a pilot. She was so good at what she did that she was then asked to train other young men to fly.
This was good enough for awhile, but she soon wanted more. She wanted to be in the air fighting for her Motherland. Stalin finally gave grudging permission for a women air corps and Lilia was one of the first pilots. She quickly rose in the ranks and proved herself both inside and outside of combat. Eventually she was sent to the front to fight with the best Russian pilots. She quickly earned the respect of her superiors and to the men of her unit. She shattered the glass ceiling. The accomplishments that Lilia had in her young life rival those of many people 4 times her age. It's easy to see why she not only earned the respect and admiration of an entire Russian nation, but also the ire of the Nazi regime. They were repeatedly humiliated by a waif of a girl!!
This was a very well written and engaging book. The characters were very well written and it was easy to become immersed in Lilia's life. You laughed with her and cried with and for her. The book goes through her life from her very humble beginnings and travels through her trials, tragedies and her valor and heroics. I completely enjoyed reading this book and it opened a whole new aspect of WWII history for me. I look forward to learning more about Lilia and the women of the Russian military and their contributions to save their Motherland. What a wonderful story about how a woman can still be a woman even when she's gunning down Nazis! I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in history, especially those who want to learn more about what roles women played.
I give this book 4 very enthusiastic stars. The only reason the book didn't receive 5 stars was because of the way the book was formatted. It's something I'm seeing more and more with e-books. Instead of having normal paragraphs with indentations, they're formatted with the space or double space between the paragraphs. Yes, the whole book looks like my review! It doesn't really detract from the story at all, just more of a personal preference to see e-books follow their print book cousins. I was a little disappointed in the cover for this book as well. With so many beautiful and amazing pictures and drawings of Lilia, they instead have chosen to put a young woman with long, blonde hair on the cover. In doing some searching, it looks like other editions actually have a drawing of Lilia on the cover. I would have much preferred to see that cover instead of the one that it has now. Again, a personal preference. I would still recommend this book to anyone who is interested in history, WWII and especially those who are wanting to see the war effort and the work and efforts that women put forth.
October 26, 2015
Being a military aviation buff, this was a pleasure to read. It is the story of the short life of Lilia Litvyak, a Russian fighter pilot listed as among the top two female military pilots in history. In shortened three-year career she flew more than 175 missions and shot down about 45 German fighters and bombers plus raged havoc on Germany ground targets. She became a real hero to the Russian people, and a more-than serious menace to the Luftwaffe. Her call sign was "White Lily," derived from her love of flowers and the white lilies painted on her Yak 9's fuselage. She always flew with some wild flowers in her cockpit.
This is true historic fiction. The people are real; the events are real. But the narrative includes surmised conversations and inner feelings to move the story along, and the author was successful in this.
A book such as this would have normally resulted in five stars, except for two major problems: many typographical errors and a few factual errors. One unforgivable error was the author's misspelling in each usage of the name of one of the foremost pilots in WWII -- Adolf Galland. In each reference the author identified him as Gallad, an error any casual reader of military aviation would recognize.
Despite these issues I highly recommend this book to like-interested readers.
This is true historic fiction. The people are real; the events are real. But the narrative includes surmised conversations and inner feelings to move the story along, and the author was successful in this.
A book such as this would have normally resulted in five stars, except for two major problems: many typographical errors and a few factual errors. One unforgivable error was the author's misspelling in each usage of the name of one of the foremost pilots in WWII -- Adolf Galland. In each reference the author identified him as Gallad, an error any casual reader of military aviation would recognize.
Despite these issues I highly recommend this book to like-interested readers.
December 8, 2022
The story of this woman is amazing and that was felt through different sections of the book, however, there were many grammatical and organizational errors that often left you rereading sections out of confusion. Especially random scenes that were abruptly inserted that had little to no relation to what was going on. The writing was often choppy. This may have been a lack of thorough editing before publishing. It seems the author really wanted this to be a biography but there is not a lot of existing information on Lilia Litvyak and therefore, it was sloppily made into a historical fiction. They deem it "technically historical fiction." It is a historical fiction with some real photos that are the only biographical part. The story of Lilia Litvyak is worth knowing and there is limited information on her life. It is just disappointing the way it was told in this novel.
February 7, 2012
Once again, M.G. Crisci does not disappoint. This is the second book I've read by him, and I loved both books. I'm finding out that his writing style is writing a non-fiction book so well that it feels like it's fiction. Personally, I'm not a fan of non-fiction novels, but if it didn't say true story on the front, I wouldn't have know it was a true story. I liked all the characters in Call Sign, White Lily. I can honestly say there's not a person I didn't like. I also loved how he wrote the book to sound like it was Russian translated into English. It gave the book more authenticity. Crisci makes you feel like you are actually there living the story right beside Lilia Litvyak. I recommend this book to anyone that likes stories about World War II or just wants a good book to read.
June 23, 2013
This book was a quick read, maybe a little tiresome, but deserving of four stars. The book began with a foreboding that Lilia's excellence in all things she did would end in her early, tragic death. I liked her character, and I liked the author's style of writing. His pick-up timing was perfect. The book was very intense in the last chapters. However, I was confused about the date that she was MIA and the date she was killed in the line of duty. I have re-read those sections and believe I understand the discrepancy. BE WARNED readers. Read carefully because those dates are important to the story! Finally, what I liked most about this book was reading about the Russians who loved their Motherland in the same way that I love my country.
Thank you, Mr. Grisci, for a good read.
Thank you, Mr. Grisci, for a good read.
September 26, 2019
This is a fascinating story of wartime bravery - incredulous yet true. A well written account recounting the tragic life of the 17-year-old Russian schoolgirl Lilia Litvyak who learned to fly, became an instructor and went on to be the world's first female fighter pilot. Despite being a beautiful and diminutive woman in a mans war, she went on to lead her squadron into battle, bravely defending her homeland at Stalingrad and beyond. Hated by Hitler, Lilia became the poster-girl for Russian resistance against the invaders, flying 268 missions and achieving a personal tally of 15 confirmed 'kills'.
This forgotten story is a must read for anyone who thinks Britain and America won the war.
This forgotten story is a must read for anyone who thinks Britain and America won the war.
September 17, 2013
I found this a fascinating look at a young woman and her experiences of war, but also on a large scale it explained much of Russian culture at the time and made me question many of the preconceptions we have on these issues.
The book was written in a clear simple manner, contrasting the complex lives, loves and losses shown within. At times felt the author had taken artistic liberty a bit too far with her scenes of how a person felt in the last minutes before their death, but I think this was done with the best intentions to give a rounded feel to the story.
The book was written in a clear simple manner, contrasting the complex lives, loves and losses shown within. At times felt the author had taken artistic liberty a bit too far with her scenes of how a person felt in the last minutes before their death, but I think this was done with the best intentions to give a rounded feel to the story.
June 22, 2013
I enjoyed this book and it kept my attention throughout. It was a fascinating example of fictionalized history, a highly interesting look at a remarkable woman's groundbreaking service during WWII.
However, the book was somewhat marred by frequent typos and spelling errors that distracted from the story. I hope the author will consider having the manuscript proofread and/or edited again for subsequent editions to give it more polish and to make a good story even better.
However, the book was somewhat marred by frequent typos and spelling errors that distracted from the story. I hope the author will consider having the manuscript proofread and/or edited again for subsequent editions to give it more polish and to make a good story even better.
July 18, 2019
I heard this local author speak at the Library and was intrigued with his curiosity, enthusiasm, and dedication to finding about this young, female, Russian fighter pilot in WWII and went to Russia and talked to many people and wrote a detailed story, with photos, that was very engrossing and painted a picture of Russian life during WWII with which most Americans are unfamiliar. The author says it will be made into a movie by a Russian producer.
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