This was something different for me but I thoroughly enjoyed it. Listened to Mandy whilst I was out running and walking on audio book. My husband was in the RAF for 23 years so some of the jargon wasn't new to me. Loved the bits when she came to RAF Lossiemouth - I can see the landing lights from my house and the old Milltown airfield which is literally across the field. It was a fantastic insight into the male dominated world of the fast jet pilot and kept me interested from start to finish. Glad she realised all her dreams.

As an ex-fighter pilot myself I was really looking forward to this book to see a woman's perspective of a male dominated role of combat aviation.
Unfortunately I didnt realise this book's target audience is teenagers, so was very disappointed very quickly.
The opening prologue describes how the author was daydreaming (really?!?!?) whilst on a combat mission over enemy territory, finding her aircraft locked on by a IR surface to air missile, employing the standard flying maneuvers to break the lock and then looking behind her to see "bright lights" and not even realising that her automatic counter-measures had deployed flares!!
There are a few errors in the book too which become annoying as they are repeated over and over.
Sorry but I did not enjoy this book, maybe a clash of personalities, maybe the book being aimed at teens rather than adults, but I do not recommend at all. If you want to read a good book about flying the Tornado in combat then see the books by John Peters or Pablo Mason, both superb.

Mandy Hickson was one of the first women to break boundaries and become a fast jet pilot in the RAF. From her early days in Air Cadets, through university Air Squadrons to joining the RAF officer training and ultimately to flying over Iraq as pilot of a Tornado GR4 fighter jet, Mandy shares the highs and lows of her journey.
There were moments that made me want to scream (mostly when she was judged as “a woman” not for her ability), and times that really warmed my heart (such as the evening when her team rallied round to help her grasp the finer points of formation flying).
I particularly liked the “you need to be more feminine” remark from the officer & her response of “With all due respect, Sir, when would you like me to be more feminine? Is it when I’m wearing my flying kit? Or when I’m crawling through mud and hiding in bushes in my combat trousers and jacket? Or is it in the bar when I’m wearing a skirt and drinking half-pints?” “Yes, but you do insist on buying two half-pints”
An Officer, Not a Gentleman is a very easy to read, eye-opening & amusing biography and the writing style is very much as though Mandy is speaking to you, telling her story as obstacle after obstacle were put in her way & she trampled over them, never giving up on her dream. Time after time, she proved that women are just as good as men!
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook – having the author read it makes it so much more personal & it’s not only a great story but also includes some excellent life lessons! I really loved “Emily’s story” – a moment when Mandy was able to inspire a teenager who also had a dream to fly

Disclosure: I received a copy of this audiobook free from the publisher via NetGalley. Whilst thanks go to the publisher for the opportunity to read it, all opinions are my own.

#BookReview #NetGalley #AudioBook #MandyHickson

The day teenage Mandy chose to forego her weekly dose of Tom Selleck as Magnum PI on TV and at her mums suggestion enrol with the local Air Cadets changed her life. From Air Cadet to hurtling over the Southern Iraq desert as Pilot of a Tornado GR4 fighter jet wasn't an easy path and this book takes the reader through the highs and lows of her journey to get there.

With a prologue that gripped me instantly my intention to just read the first couple of chapters was soon forgotten and before I knew it I was halfway through this compelling book.

Being a female training in such a male dominated environment certainly had its challenges and the author makes light of the times she was singled out for her many failings or misdemeanours, instead focusing on the positives and carrying on, determined to reach her goal. From parade squares, kit inspections and crawling around in damp undergrowth to the dizzy heights of achieving her dreams this was an inspiring read.

I listened to audiobook of this one, narrated by the author and for me that worked. I immediately warmed to her self-deprecating humour and easy tone and I liked the way she spoke warmly of colleagues, friends and support staff. The camaraderie she felt at being part of her team so obviously apparent. There's a lot to admire about someone who having achieved her goals can look back over her journey and with so much to be proud of, accept that she had failings.

I liked the book and I liked the way it was told, respect and credit on both counts to the author.

Having read the paperback version of this book I obviously had an expectation of what was coming, however Mandy offers a personal narrative which gives the listener empathy, excitement, expectation and in some parts sadness.
Written in a way that progression through a career of which there were many roles is seamless, I feel there is an honest account and insight into a world we can only imagine through the eyes of the media,
An Officer, Not a Gentleman gives an edge of the seat insight which I am sure will in some instances give the heart palpitations.
Thoroughly enjoyed the read and even more so the audio version. One I shall wholeheartedly recommend .
John M