Alaska's Skyboys

"Ringsmuth's book is as thrilling and brilliant as the skyboys she writes about. . . . Alaska's Skyboys lays scholarly groundwork to further explore aviation as an interpretive framework necessary for understanding Alaska's multidimensional frontier history."—Russ Vanderlugt, Alaska History

"Ringsmuth's book is something of a revelation."—David Fox, Anchorage Press

"Ringsmuth provides a comprehensive history that follows the early days of flying through World War II, the Cold War, and the transition to commercial air travel. She artfully balances the tragedies and triumphs of flying and suggests provocatively that a flying culture emerged in the parts of Alaska that depended on bush planes. She also tactfully points out the contradiction between Alaskans who cherish their autonomy and living off the grid and the planes and technology required to do so. . . . Those interested in the personal stories of flying greats will appreciate this book."—Diana L. Di Stefano, Western Historical Quarterly

"This will be a 'must read' book for readers interested in the evolution of flight in Alaska. Ringsmuth presented this history magnificently and thoroughly documented it."—Dan Hagedorn, curator, The Museum of Flight

"The story of manned flight in the twentieth century is about rocketing into the future and going ever higher and faster. So why do Alaskans embrace a nostalgic past filled with daring bush pilots who stick their heads out the window to read the weather and terrain? Katherine Johnson Ringsmuth answers this important question in her fascinating and important book."—Ross Coen, author of Fu-go: The Curious History of Japan's Balloon Bomb Attack on America