The Happy Bottom Riding Club: The Life and Times of Pancho Barnes

by Lauren Kessler

Pancho Barnes was a force of nature, a woman who lived a big, messy, colorful, unconventional life. She ran through three fortunes, four husbands, and countless lovers. She outflew Amelia Earhart, outsmarted Howard Hughes, outdrank the Mexican Army, and out- maneuvered the U.S. government. In The Happy Bottom Riding Club , award-winning author Lauren Kessler tells the story of a high-spirited, headstrong woman who was proud of her successes, unabashed by her failures, and the architect of her own legend.
        
Florence "Pancho" Barnes was a California heiress who inherited a love of flying from her grandfather, a pioneer balloonist in the Civil War. Faced with a future of domesticity and upper-crust pretensions, she ran away from her responsibilities as wife and mother to create her own life. She cruised South America. She trekked through Mexico astride a burro. She hitchhiked halfway across the United States. Then, in the late 1920s, she took to the skies, one of a handful of female pilots.
        
She was a barnstormer, a racer, a cross-country flier, and a Hollywood stunt pilot. She was, for a time, "the fastest woman on earth," flying the fastest civilian airplane in the world. She was an intimate of movie stars, a script doctor for the great director Erich von Stroheim, and, later in life, a drinking buddy of the supersonic jet jockey Chuck Yeager. She ran a wild and wildly successful desert watering hole known as the Happy Bottom Riding Club, the raucous bar and grill depicted in The Right Stuff.
        
In The Happy Bottom Riding Club , Lauren Kessler presents a portrait, both authoritative and affectionate, of a woman who didn't play by women's rules, a woman of large appetites--emotional, financial, and sexual--who called herself "the greatest conversation piece that ever existed."

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Aviation, History, Biography Memoir, Womens Studies

305 pages, Hardcover

First published May 23, 2000

About the author

Lauren Kessler is an award-winning author and immersion reporter who combines lively narrative with deep research to explore everything from the gritty world of a maximum security prison to the grueling world of professional ballet; from the wild, wild west of the anti-aging movement to the hidden world of Alzheimer’s sufferers; from the stormy seas of the mother-daughter relationship to the full court press of women’s basketball. She is the author of 12 works of narrative nonfiction, including Pacific Northwest Book Award winner Dancing with Rose, Washington Post bestseller Clever Girl and Los Angeles Times bestseller The Happy Bottom Riding. She is also the author of Oregon Book Award winner Stubborn Twig, which was chosen as the book for all Oregon to read in honor of the states 2009 sesquicentennial.

Her journalism has appeared in The New York Times Magazine, Los Angeles Times Magazine, O magazine, Utne Reader, The Nation, newsweek.com and salon.com. Club www.laurenkessler.com

Reviews

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Saying that Pancho Barnes was a character would be like saying Al Pacino is an actor. Almost everyone is familiar with Amelia Earhart but most are not aware of the numerous other accomplished women pilots of that same era, including Pancho Barnes. Pancho had also set many records and broke some that had been set by her better-known compatriots. Pancho was not averse to getting dirty working on the planes she flew as well as other machinery and that combined with the way she typically dressed resulted in her often being mistaken for a man. She also worked as a stunt pilot for movies and organized a stunt pilots union to improve the pay and dangerous conditions that they dealt with.

She had been born to wealth and had been greatly influenced by her grandfather who was an inventor, businessman, risk taker, etc, and Pancho inherited many of these traits. My first real exposure to Pancho's story was through a 1988 movie that starred Valerie Bertinelli as Pancho Barnes, which vastly improved on the real Pancho's looks. Pancho wasn't pretty, she swore as a normal part of her vocabulary, constantly told off-color stories, and developed a liking for younger men-including one of my uncles who was married to her, for a while. But she was always up for a good time and would freely share whatever she had. Her parties went on for days and were legendary, attended by fellow pilots and Hollywood friends.

She had many great business ideas but as soon as thing started coming together she lost interest and was on to the next thing. This combined with a total lack of financial common sense resulted in her going through money like there was no end to it resulting in many business failures. Along the way, because of her connections with other pilots, including Jimmy Doolittle, Chuck Yeager, and others, she developed a pilot training center on her property during WWII and many of her acquaintances along the way continued to hang out at her facilities including the book's namesake Happy Bottom Riding Club. She experienced many successes but also many failures. This book was well written and researched and put some realism to the life of a very colorful individual that had been softened quite a bit for the 1988 movie.

Anyone with an interest in the early days of aviation, women in aviation, WWII pilot training, development of new aircraft and the test pilots who proved them, and how not to run a business as well as many other topics will enjoy this book. To sum up Pancho Barnes' general philosophy in life I will just list one of her quotes here: Ah, hell. We had more fun in a week than those weenies had in a lifetime. - Pancho Barnes

[Byron Edgington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here we have a biography of a woman who was, arguably, one of the more colorful, outrageous and engaging characters of her time, or perhaps any time. Referring to Florence ‘Pancho’ Barnes as an early feminist would be akin to calling Mary Shelley a good author, or Gloria Steinem a magazine editor. Pancho Barnes grew up immersed in monetary wealth, but she made a conscious decision early on to live her life free of the trappings (pun intended) of that wealth. Indeed, Ms Barnes’ most endearing, or perhaps most aggravating trait seemed to be her disdain for money, and her conscious effort to spend it faster than it arrived. Inheriting her carefree attitude from a beloved grandfather, she emulated the fellow all her life. Thaddeus Sobieski Constantine Lowe made a name for himself as the first to fly a balloon in the Civil War. Grandpa Thaddeus adored young Florence, and the feeling was mutual. He told his darling granddaughter that she would fly one day, but Grampa Thaddeus had no idea just how far, and in what fashion the future Pancho Barnes would do so. She idolized her grandfather, and vowed to go well beyond his exploits,
Here’s how far. Pancho Barnes came by her name on one of her many daredevil adventures in Mexico, one of several forays she embarked on in her rush to escape the boredom of her staid, circumscribed life in moneyed California. She became one of the first women in America to fly her own airplane, married early and often, the first time to a preacher, then took several men as her lovers and married three others. She traveled the world looking for the next cure for her restlessness, refusing to submit to the conventions of her time, particularly those concerning female deportment.
The author has succeeded in painting a portrait of a life lived at the edges, and without regard to social approval. She’s written the book with care, and with a well developed sense of the journalist’s style, refusing to judge, leaving that to readers. Just the facts, ma’am, is the mantra here, and Kessler holds that line throughout. The writing is expositive without being breezy, informative without adulation and well researched in its insights and detail. This is a history book without meaning to be. Anyone curious about the background of aviation in America and/or womens’ place in it will latch onto this book and explore it cover to cover. Pancho Barnes wasn’t just present at the creation of womens’ aviation history she made a lot of it. In any scene at her club in the Mojave Desert, where icons of early aviation gathered, Pancho Barnes is close by, slapping backs, filling shot glasses, sharing flying yarns with the likes of Chuck Yeager, Jake Ridley, Ike Northrup and many other test pilots. She’d done her share of those exploits, and was accepted among those men as an equal. Why women don’t figure more prominently in aviation history is even more curious considering the activities of Pancho Barnes and women like her.
Rich man’s daughter & granddaughter, aviator, songwriter, lover of countless men, movie actor/stunt pilot, screenwriter, land speculator and creator of The Happy Bottom Riding Club, Pancho Barnes crafted a life that never stopped until the day she died. Not exactly a positive role model for young women perhaps, but, maybe so... As the author has done, we leave that to readers. Five stars, and I don’t award those very often.
Byron Edgington, author of The Sky Behind Me: Extended Downwind

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written, researched and edited.

The story of Pancho Barnes, an American legend.
A trailblazer for women in aviation.

Born and raised in Pasadena, California,
she was born into a wealthy family, and lived a life of luxury until she was talked into an arranged marriage.

But Poncho (Florence Leontine Lowes Barnes) didn’t take to married life. She needed excitement, something not attainable as a minister’s wife.

So she lived life on her own terms, not conforming to society’s expectations of how a woman should conduct her life.

An amazing character and a very entertaining story.

[Todd Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many know of Pancho Barnes from the movie “The Right Stuff”, now get the whole story. From her childhood, wood and wire flying days, the famous club, to her sad last years. This book tells the story of the hard drinking foul mouthed women who befriended the men of Muroc-Edwards air base. Lauren Kessler did a wonderful job telling the tale of an American legend.

[Tom Tischler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Florence Mae Dobbins was a California heiress who inherited her love of flying from
her grandfather. She married young and ran away from her responsibilities as a
wife and mother to create her own life. She cruised South America, trekked through
Mexico on a burro and hitchhiked across across the U.S. Then in the 1920's she took
to the skies, one of a handful of pilots at this time. She began to fly for the movies,
met the stars and directors and later in life a drinking buddy of jet jockey Chuck Yeager.
She was now a barnstormer, racer, and cross country flyer. She owned a bar called The
Happy Bottom Riding Club in her later years. The author of this novel presents a portrait
both authoritative and affectionate of a woman who didn't play by women's rules.
She had large appetites - emotional, financial and sexual. She called herself the greatest
conversation piece that ever lived. This is a true story about Florence Dobbins who later
became Pancho Barnes.You really have to read this book to try and understand a woman
who had a big, messy, colorful and unconventional life. I myself liked the book and gave it a 4.5

[LiteraryAviatrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

To paraphrase Kessler, The Happy Bottom Riding Club is a biography of an ill-behaved woman, and the price one pays for being an ill-behaved woman. It is a well-researched, and well-written biography of one of aviation’s most brazen pioneers—male or female—by a former journalist who knows how to dig up the dirt and present it in a dispassionate way to let readers decide what they think. I’m grateful that Kessler, with her writing and research skills, selected Pancho and early aviation as one of many fascinating ‘hidden worlds’ she’s delved into through her writing, preserving this history for posterity and making it accessible to a broad audience. You can watch or listen to my interview with Kessler about this book on the Aviatrix Book Review website.

I was familiar with Florence Lowe Barnes’ story from another biography I’d read a decade earlier, Pancho: The Biography of Florence Lowe Barnes, by Barbara Schultz, also an excellent book. I remembered admiring Pancho’s daring confidence, her rejection of convention, particularly in the context of her times, and, as a former military aviatrix myself, I envied the way she was accepted and respected by both Hollywood male flying peers, and the record-setting Mojave Desert Air Force fliers in the mid-twentieth century, including such icons as Chuck Yeager. I also remembered that, in her later life, her defiance caught up with her in ways I (and likely she) didn’t anticipate. It was because of this that I loved how Kessler opened this book with a flash from the future—a moment of glory from Pancho’s later life after all the so-called friends she’d entertained during her heyday had long since moved on. Kessler gives us a taste of what’s to come in this opening, leaving us with questions about how and why someone who had so much, had lived so 'large', and affected so many, had become poor, isolated, and almost forgotten.

Some ‘spoilers’ follow:

One of the things I didn’t remember, that I loved in this telling, was the story of Pancho’s grandfather—his influence on, and interest in early aviation, and how his affinity for Florence in early childhood shaped her lifelong behavior and attitudes. Kessler paints the scene of this Victorian debutante-gone-rogue in its full context, so we really understand how radical she was for her times. We follow her into an arranged marriage, through the dawn of Hollywood flying films, across the country in the first women’s air race, and then off to the Mojave where Pancho built and lost a small leisure empire, catering to the growing military presence—often outrageously, always creating a romping good time for her patrons, and always with Pancho at its center. There were times, as a reader, when we got into Pancho’s poorly handled finances, when I thought, “Ugh, we’re doing accounting again?” But, these elements are critical to her story arc, and help explain how she landed where she did later in life.

I admire Pancho’s larger-than-life spirit and her ferocious tenacity, but she wasn’t for everyone in the Aviatrix Book Club. She was devastatingly reckless with money, apparently emotionally inaccessible to the people who needed her most, and she partied like a Rockstar. There were also some criticisms about just how frequently Pancho’s appearance was mentioned in a negative way, but my takeaway from this is that Kessler was placing Pancho in the context of contemporary societal expectations, and she probably encountered this comment many times in her research. Even if those things turn you off, that doesn’t mean the book isn’t worth a read, if for no other reason than to delve deeply into the context of early aviation in the Western United States.

It’s not all about aviation, though. Pancho loved horses, and dogs, dabbled in screenwriting and music, was married four times and had more lovers. She jaunted off on wild adventures on land, sea, and in the air, and she turned into a fierce litigator with no training—she fought tooth-and-nail against the U.S. Government when eminent domain claimed the oasis she’d built, and then managed to find other reasons to fight in court in her later years, typically finding herself on the losing end. Any opinion about Pancho aside, this book is inarguably deeply researched and presents this legendary aviatrix as the flawed heroine she was.

[Melissa Kowalski]

Marrying into a family of pilots, how perfect was my “blind date with a book” pick?! I got this book on my first visit to 2nd and Charles and was intrigued by the description, not knowing it would be about a badass lady pilot. Once I opened it up, I knew I would be setting this aside until November to read.

Poncho Barnes was a wild child, party animal, badass woman. She did not stick to the ladylike norms of the 20/30’s and instead would do everything to go against the norms…like get kicked out of multiple schools, travel cross country on a horse and a dingy, learn to fly in the matter of 6 days and take on multiple different short lived career options. She also hosted some of the craziest parties it seemed at her mansions, and had fun with multiple different men…even though she was married to a reverend (for a short period of time). At this point, you are probably thinking “Melissa, what the heck are you reading,” right?!

Originally known as Florence, Poncho was raised how many little girls dream of…a pampered, carefree, money filled life. She had no concept of money or budgeting and flew through her inheritance in the matter of years…then got lucky multiple times and got additional inheritances. Poncho legit would get into something and go all out, spending all of her money, whether it be with planes, homesteading, hospitality. She also was always looking out for those closest to her, helping them out when needed. She would have $50 in her pocket, and if one of her acquaintances needed something, she would gladly hand it over. But, money was secondary to having fun in her eyes, she was long accustomed to the indulgences of spontaneity.

This was such an interesting read…especially because I have never heard of her before, yet she seemed to hang with some VERY well known names. I can’t wait to ask my in laws at Sunday dinner if they are aware of her, since she was said to be a well known name in aviation.

[Katherine M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating biography about an amazing woman who I would neverb want to go out to lunch with.

[Virginia Childres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pancho, my Heroinne

What a great biography of a strong, independent, yet broken woman. I loved the history and, since I live in Kern County, legacy
so close to home!

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pancho Barnes was pretty amazing. Sad that her life ended like it did.

[Liam Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Happy Bottom Riding Club: The Life and Times of Pancho Barnes by Lauren Kessler is a narrative biography about a woman named Florence Mae Dobbins. She grew up in a wealthy family, raised like any privileged girl in the early 1900’s. She had to be beautiful, wear expensive clothes, and be a proper woman dedicated to serving her man. At a young age, she realized that this was not the life she wanted to live, she was “a little girl who had no interest in being a little girl” (Kessler, 41). Growing up she was expected to marry a rich man and live happily ever after, but she was very unhappy with this way of life. She ran away from it all with a man and developed a love for aviation and changed her name to Poncho Barnes. She was one out of the handful of women aviators at the time and quickly gained popularity.

I like the way that Kessler portrays Poncho Barnes. She was a very strong woman who didn’t listen when the world told her she needed to be a certain way. She didn’t do things that women were supposed to do, and she did all of the things that were supposed to be exclusively for men. Growing up, she preferred things associated with young boys; she played rough, got dirty, and behaved poorly. She was often shamed by her mother for the way she acted because it wasn’t how a woman normally acted. Her poor behavior got her expelled from multiple schools, and until she was an adult, she was seen as a bad example for a girl. The author does an amazing job showing how she broke gender boundaries put in place by society and lived the way she wanted to. After reading the book, I felt like I knew her on a personal level because Kessler was so descriptive about her incredibly colorful personality in ways that made you want to root for her. Who doesn’t love a rebel?

Poncho Barnes, like Emelia Earhart, was drawn to the beauty and excitement of the largely male-dominated world of early aviation and ignored the restrictions and expectations most women were burdened with at the time. While men may have made the same achievements already, they didn’t have to deal with society’s brutal pressure, scrutiny, and judgment of someone ignoring gender boundaries. While her life and accomplishments were truly amazing, the author didn’t oversell it. Although she was a woman doing something special, it would have been just as entertaining if a man had played her role in the story. Life gave her two choices, “She could retreat into herself… Or, with apologies to no one, she could come out swinging” (43). The story is inspiring to anyone trying to find their own way through life. The fact that she is a woman just makes her story more impressive and unusual. Kessler regards Pancho highly without worshipping her. This is really important because it makes her relatable and human, and keeps the book from becoming a feminist hagiography.

The Happy Bottom Riding Club: The Life and Times of Pancho Barnes was a great read, it gave me great insight into the life of Pancho Barnes and her accomplishments. It follows an amazing person who is a role model to so many young women and aviators. Lauren Kessler has written a story that will inspire you no matter your background. I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in aviation or just looking for a fun read.

[Miriam · Rating 4 out of 5]

A highly fascinating book about a highly fascinating woman. To describe Poncho Barnes at all would be to put limitations on a woman where there were clearly no limits. If she were born any earlier, I don’t think that she would have survived the social constraints of that time. If she were born much later, I don’t know that we would have heard too much about her as she could have more easily blended into the more current day’s societal norms. Or on second thought, maybe not. Poncho would have likely pushed the limits of whatever times she lived in. She was a true legend.

[Amy1N · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had Pancho been conventionally beautiful, everyone would know who she is. Her name would be as familiar to everyday folks as Amelia Earhart’s had she been delicate and feminine. This book takes you through her rip roaring life (and several husbands) and while delightful was also a bit distressing because a) she spent money like it grew on trees and b) her death was quite sad. But, still highly endorse if you’d like to learn more about early aviation in the US or find a new feminist icon.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild and crazy lady. Hard living, full of energy and ideas. Friend of many early aviators. No smarts about money - came from wealthy family, died penniless. Known for her stories, often raunchy.
Interesting but the middle gets pretty redundant.

[Janta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this -- I thought the author really captured Pancho Barnes' spirit. Though certainly not without her faults, it's clear that Barnes was a true original. This was another fun read in the "People I'd Never Heard Of" category.

[Esteban Stipnieks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Probabably the biggest farce is Eddie Van Halen's wife playing Pancho Barnes in a movie. The book is interesting bringing aspects, timing and specifics of her life that are largely missing from various books written that include her.

[Connie Townsend · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story of the life of Pancho Barnes. Historical information regarding the development of flight and women's role as pilots. Exciting, funny and tragic story. Well worth the time.

[Nutkin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating biography!

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read on a historic person in aviation history. She was an amazing woman with a rich life.

[Linda Zelig · Rating 4 out of 5]

This woman's story had to be told! The research notes bear out the veracity of the telling. An exciting read about the early days of flying and the woman who made an adventure out of it.

[John Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating life, she came of age in the roaring 20s and never stopped roaring. Tragic and uplifting at the same time. Quite a pioneer in many ways. Highly recommended.

[Bonnye Reed · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful read. Who'd have thought the early 20th century could have fashioned such an outspoken, independent woman - and one willing to set the mark HIGH when it came to her personal freedom and choices. While I was reading this book I kept picturing my grandmothers - both vigorous women, both destined to be basically single parents and bread winners as was Pancho, but hemmed in by society and church to the point of bloodlessness. Not that I could ever picture Grandma Reed doing anything that appealed to Pancho, but my Granny Tina Goddard Ketner had a wonderful laugh, and an infectious, mischievous grin that occasionally made you wonder where her mind was going..... Both these ladies where remarkable, but I could wish for them a little fun and the occasional cigar. Maybe flying cross country for an all night poker game.... If you can find this book, read it. It's a hoot.

[Jeff · Rating 1 out of 5]

'The Happy Bottom Riding Club. The Life and Times of Pancho Barnes', Lauren Kessler, 2000. American women have contributed almost nothing to the progress of aviation. Books on women in aviation are almost exclusively the domain of woman authors. Inevitably they end up grasping for straws for a subject worthy of research. "The Happy Bottom Riding Club" is a case in point. Pancho Barnes was a fowl mouthed, repulsive woman, abandoning her infant child for a life of reckless barnstorming, boozing and promiscuity. Hasn't her life has been played out by her male counterparts one thousand and one times before? The fact that she was a women does not make her story any more relevant.

[Kathee · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, I liked the book because Pancho was from our area. Then, I liked the book because she was such a colorful character. I also liked the book because it was well-written and easy to read. My late father-in-law was stationed at Muroc with his wife and oldest child when Pancho would have had the ranch there. I wish I could ask him about her. It was interesting to read about an early aviatrix, a woman who lived by her own rules, though eventually it cost her her way of life and, finally, her life.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a thrilling and extraordinary person. I really enjoyed reading about her life at Edwards. It makes me appreciate all the history and traditions passed down through Test Pilot School. May we never forget her and the role she played in the facinating history of Edwards AFB and aviation itself.

[KennyO · Rating 4 out of 5]

Here's a biography that respects its subject without worshiping her. It's not one of the best biographies on my shelf (I love bio's and have many more than I list on Goodreads) but it regards Pancho with a suitable degree of wonder at her accomplishments and way of life and I appreciate that. Highly recommended!

[Rrshively · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a biography about a woman who lived her life to the fullest. Her personality and morals are so opposite to mine that I had to skip some sections of the book. The part I most enjoyed was about her early flying days and adventures at that time. Parts were interesting, but I'd rather spend my time reading something else.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The biography of a an adventurous women raised in an affluent family in the 1920's. Was the contemporary of Amelia Earhart. At first I had a hard time getting into this book, but then I wanted to know how her life turned out and couldn't put it down.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a much better telling of the story of Pancho Barnes than a book read previously. It was less a straight forward chronology and more a well crafted re-telling of her fascinating and out sized life.

[Joan]

My dad, a WW2 B-17 pilot met Poncho and was at her "Club" in Ca. many times so this book held special interest for me. He talks about her to this day and what an unusual woman she was and what a bigger than life she led.