I've read both threads, this and the archived, and found many books that I must add to my collection, but I cannot believe no-one has mentioned Beryl Markhams 'West with the Night'. Perhaps one of the most beautifully written autobiographies ever.. .This is the Lady made the first solo flight the wrong way across the atlantic, (East to West) not just the first woman, but the first flight, in I think, a Mew Gull.. .White Bear.