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Dressed to Kill
"My fingers close around the trigger. I pause for a split second to think about the bullets I am about to spray across the ground. After today, I'll no longer be the new girl." Captain Charlotte Madison is blonde, beautiful and flies Apache helicopters for a living. She has completed two tours of duty in Afghanistan and is currently fighting on the frontline in her third. DRESSED TO KILL shows us what life is like for a girl in a resolutely male-dominated environment. But she isn't just a woman in a man's world, she's a woman women aspire to be - glamorous as well as brave, and beating the men at their own game. Only a tiny percentage of people can multi-task to the extreme level the aircraft demands, and most airmen who try to qualify as an Apache pilot fail. Full of the exciting, adrenaline-filled action that has made other military memoirs so successful, DRESSED TO KILL is also unique. A highly intelligent and brilliant young woman, Charlotte is Britain's first female Apache pilot, and the first British female pilot to kill in an Apache. We have, quite simply, never seen the landscape of 21st-century frontline conflict from a perspective like hers. DRESSED TO KILL will appeal to anyone interested in current affairs, but it will also speak to a whole generation of young women who will relate to 27-year-old Charlotte in a way they never imagined possible.
341 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2010
15 people are currently reading
127 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
April 17, 2025
Maybe I’ll publish my dairy one day
January 30, 2013
Charlotte tells us about her life in the military and how she got to be in the military to begin with. Giving an insight on the training she received, the type of things she faced on a daily basis but not only that she gives us an insight into what's going on in her head and I felt I really got to know her. She might be an Apache pilot but she's just a girl too, worrying about the same things that any girl would. It's wonderful to read a females perspective of life in the forces.
It's well written and easy to read. I couldn't put it down. I found this book absolutely fascinating. I would love to see more work by Madison.
It's well written and easy to read. I couldn't put it down. I found this book absolutely fascinating. I would love to see more work by Madison.
April 5, 2010
Only reason it missed out on 4 or 5 stars, was the patronising and overly 'girly' tone that appeared at times throughout the book, certain parts of her training/flying seemed to be skimmed over without great detail and with more focus on the guy she was seeing or how to top up her tan. Aside from that an awesome book that gave some real detail into being in the female minority in the british army.
November 9, 2022
An interesting and provocative look at the life of a female in the UK military. I was intrigued to read of her experiences working on the front line as a helicopter fighter pilot, one of only a handful in the UK. Some areas of the book slowed the overall pace, but this is likely an editing issue rather than an author one. Recommended for those interested in life stories, memoirs and war history.
December 31, 2023
I absolutely loved this book. I barely put this book down while reading.
This book had really interesting insights, from many aspects of military life. Not only did 'Madison' give, what I would guess is, a realistic insight into being female within the military but also one who doesn't shut off the 'girly' aspect of her personality like some other female military authors I've read. She described some specifically female challenges she had during her deployments and training. The insights and descriptions of being the first female apache helicopter pilot was so vividly portrayed and passionately spoken about within this book that it really made me think of the role with previously unrecognised respect.
In conclusion I recommend this book to anyone who's interested in attending Sandhurst (RMAS) or military aviation.
This book had really interesting insights, from many aspects of military life. Not only did 'Madison' give, what I would guess is, a realistic insight into being female within the military but also one who doesn't shut off the 'girly' aspect of her personality like some other female military authors I've read. She described some specifically female challenges she had during her deployments and training. The insights and descriptions of being the first female apache helicopter pilot was so vividly portrayed and passionately spoken about within this book that it really made me think of the role with previously unrecognised respect.
In conclusion I recommend this book to anyone who's interested in attending Sandhurst (RMAS) or military aviation.
July 4, 2017
What an informative book. True story about a remake apache pilot on the frontline in Afghanistan. She was first woman to achieve this and is about her experiences in Afghanistan and what it felt like to be there actively fighting.
Really enjoyed it.
Really enjoyed it.
October 5, 2019
Link to my review: https://sierrakilobravo.wordpress.com...
Big Sis and I have this kind of tradition where when we visit each others houses, we raid the bookcase and run off with our plunder. When we were in New Zealand in June of 2015, I flogged Dressed to Kill off her shelf, and it turns out it was a good haul.
Written by Charlotte Madison, the first female Apache pilot, it covers her career from initial training through to the end of her service. There are some great stories in the book, with the descriptions of camp life and combat being the highlights. She also really gets into the effects that life in a combat zone can have on people, and how hard it can be to adjust to life back at home.
I don’t read a lot of biographies, but I know that I enjoyed this because I read it in about a week and a half. A sure sign that I have been hooked and engrossed.
Big Sis and I have this kind of tradition where when we visit each others houses, we raid the bookcase and run off with our plunder. When we were in New Zealand in June of 2015, I flogged Dressed to Kill off her shelf, and it turns out it was a good haul.
Written by Charlotte Madison, the first female Apache pilot, it covers her career from initial training through to the end of her service. There are some great stories in the book, with the descriptions of camp life and combat being the highlights. She also really gets into the effects that life in a combat zone can have on people, and how hard it can be to adjust to life back at home.
I don’t read a lot of biographies, but I know that I enjoyed this because I read it in about a week and a half. A sure sign that I have been hooked and engrossed.
November 30, 2019
I'm amazed by the Apache, and even more amazed by the pilots. Incredible story of Charlotte's path to becoming one of these legends, and her experiences in Afghanistan. Shame about the stupidity she has to put up with en route. Great read, hard to put down.
December 22, 2021
Amazing read
Wasn’t sure what to expect with this book. It turns out it’s a cracking read and at times quite funny. Honest, tactical and emotional. What a wonderful author from a colleague who has served. I highly recommend this book!
Wasn’t sure what to expect with this book. It turns out it’s a cracking read and at times quite funny. Honest, tactical and emotional. What a wonderful author from a colleague who has served. I highly recommend this book!
July 16, 2024
A very good read from another person's perspective.
It shows how a woman sees war and what it involves and how she is affected and deals with her own worries, etc.
It's a very good read.
It shows how a woman sees war and what it involves and how she is affected and deals with her own worries, etc.
It's a very good read.
July 28, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed this entirely. Charlotte is a very inspiring woman. This book gives a good insight into the emotional side of warfare too.
January 13, 2026
Utterly captivating. Anyone who likes military biographies should read this. A unique and too rare female perspective of military life.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
January 21, 2011
Charlie is a great narrator. She give you the details starting from her training in high school through to the airforce where she does very well. You get to know her, her humour, her friends and begin to like her. She is modest and getting on with her peers. Her story then takes you on the journey with her into her professional training in the airforce which leads her to a posting in Afghanistan. Her story follows her life in camp, away from her home, family and closest friends while she is employed in war against the Taliban in Afghanistan. Her retelling of her daily life in such a specialized field, at war and in peril is unique.
I found that her style of story telling made for quick reading. The book was probably very light reading compared with the hardships she faced daily for the months spent in Afghanistan compared to the time she spent away from her family and friends.
A great book showing a woman's strength, her compassion and self-doubts within a male dominated work space and her struggle and survival within this environment.
I found that her style of story telling made for quick reading. The book was probably very light reading compared with the hardships she faced daily for the months spent in Afghanistan compared to the time she spent away from her family and friends.
A great book showing a woman's strength, her compassion and self-doubts within a male dominated work space and her struggle and survival within this environment.
August 29, 2016
This is the story of the first female apache pilot. It recounts briefly her time at Sandhurst and then during training for AAC and learning to fly, but concentrates on her tours to Afghanistan.
It strikes an interesting balancing act between the macho-ness required to be in the Army, esp as a pilot and even more so as the first female apache pilot, and the girliness that all are inherently born with which comes out when they get together even in the middle of camp bastion. Particularly interesting is the way she battles during training with some particularly arrogant and sexist pilots who believe they are the best and resent her incursion into their male world. It is noticeable, however, that her squadron rally round and seem to protect her slightly from all this: the sense of both team loyalty and seeing when a job is well done winning through.
An interesting insight both into the world of the Apache as a support weapon and life for women on operations in the male dominated environment.
It strikes an interesting balancing act between the macho-ness required to be in the Army, esp as a pilot and even more so as the first female apache pilot, and the girliness that all are inherently born with which comes out when they get together even in the middle of camp bastion. Particularly interesting is the way she battles during training with some particularly arrogant and sexist pilots who believe they are the best and resent her incursion into their male world. It is noticeable, however, that her squadron rally round and seem to protect her slightly from all this: the sense of both team loyalty and seeing when a job is well done winning through.
An interesting insight both into the world of the Apache as a support weapon and life for women on operations in the male dominated environment.
September 10, 2011
I come from an airline and travel background so this book interested me. Charlotte was the first British female Apache pilot for the RAF. It is a summarised and fast paced story of her career success.
Charlie accomplished so much and did it humbly. She had no desire as a feminist to prove a point - she was just good at her job and excelled, gaining the admiration of her peers and superiors. Some of her memories of serving in Afghanistan in a real men's world. Lots of technical jargon one does get used to.
Charlie accomplished so much and did it humbly. She had no desire as a feminist to prove a point - she was just good at her job and excelled, gaining the admiration of her peers and superiors. Some of her memories of serving in Afghanistan in a real men's world. Lots of technical jargon one does get used to.
May 30, 2010
Top Gun for women! A fascinating insight into the military world as experienced by the first British female Apache pilot. There is as much willy waving and sexist behaviour as I suspected but the combat scenes are page-turning even for a pacifist like me. Her reflection upon what it feels like to kill is gently and honestly explored. Sometimes the writing gets a bit "girl"ed up but not enough to distract from her story.
August 4, 2014
The tale of a female Apache pilot is provided in an exciting, personal and at times touching manner in this book by Charlotte Madison. She succeeds in bringing forth her personality through words and I found the way in which she worked alongside males, who often displayed macho characteristics, was inspiring for other women as well as being at times, entertaining.
An evocative and touching story.
An evocative and touching story.
November 22, 2012
Madison gives a good illustration on a life most of us would not think of. However, although the strange mixture of giggles and war can make for compelling reading, there are times when details just feel… unnecessary. In saying that, "poo" and "stinky feet" could also be seen as an observation that is meaningful to woman, and I may be coming from a purely male perspective. Overall though, a great read that is very insightful.
July 28, 2012
Really liked this book, gives a good insight into what it is like to fly a Apache helicopter, in a war zone, and what life is like for the pilots, especially the women.
I do like that she did not face such a hard time, or resistance to her being female, but for the occasional tosser.
Very good and intresting book.
I do like that she did not face such a hard time, or resistance to her being female, but for the occasional tosser.
Very good and intresting book.
January 20, 2014
The story of Britain's first female Apache helicopter pilot and her deployment to Afghanistan is interesting. However, it's plainly told and with one eye on being PC and one on good PR for the army. And in the end she quits to be with her man.
January 24, 2011
It was interesting to get a female perspective, particular having read Ed Macy's books that cover many of the same events.
April 23, 2011
Gi Jane meets Sweet Valley High. It was not to my taste.
I am sorry to my friends who like this book. I just couldn't appreciate it.
I am sorry to my friends who like this book. I just couldn't appreciate it.
August 13, 2016
A slow first chapter, then it quickly picks up to equal Ed Macy's brilliant book "Apache". 5 stars,
October 4, 2012
This book gave me a great I sight into what it's like to be a female in the army... And not just in any ordinary job, but an apache pilot. I really enjoyed this book and recommend to everyone
June 20, 2013
An excellent insight to the UK's first female Apache Attack helicopter and her deployment to Afghanistan. Lads and Lasses will enjoy reading this book. Well worth a read
June 29, 2015
She uses too many acronyms that I had to keep referring to the list. But overall, great narration from a girl's standpoint being on the frontline. Thoroughly entertaining and never a dull moment.
June 7, 2015
Fairly average book. Doesn't have the excitement of Ed Macy's book but still a good story.
September 25, 2015
It was good to read a female's version, especially one of an Apache Pilot. You have to admire her strength and determination to not let prejudice prevent her from achieving her goals in life!
February 18, 2021
A fantastic insight into life as an Apache Pilot, and life deployed to Afghanistan. Couldn't put it down and was left wanting to know more!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews