The daring exploits of Mildred Bruce: aviator, racing driver, powerboat racer - and the first woman to fly solo around the world over land. Mildred Bruce enjoyed a privileged upbringing that allowed her to search for thrills beyond the bounds of most female contemporaries. She stole her briother's motorbike at only 15. She raced at Brooklands in the Twenties against some of the greats of that era, and took a car 200 miles north of the Arctic Circle. She won the ladies' prize of the Monte Carlo rally and embarked upon powerboat racing. Whilst Amy Johnson was receiving global acclaim for her flight to Australia, Mildred learned to fly, and 8 weeks later embarked on her round the world flight, the first person to fly from the UK to Japan. Captured by brigands, feted by the Siamese, Japanese and Americans, she survived several crashes with body and spirit intact, and joined the list of British aviation celebrities on her return in 1931. AUTHOR: Paul Smiddy has spent his life being obsessed by flying.

For the last 25 years, although slightly distracted by a successful career in finance, aviation has been a major part of his life. A Liveryman of the Guild of Air Pilots and Air Navigators, he has been an active private pilot all of his life, flying to destinations all over Europe, USA and the Caribbean, among others, and has contributed to many flying magazines. SELLING POINTS: * A lover of all things fast, Mildred Bruce said 'going slow always made her tired' * Mildred spent her life setting records on land, on the sea and in the air * She was one of the best known aviatriaxes of her era, and quietly became the fist woman to fly solo over land around the world in 1931, embarking on her trip just a few weeks after she started flying * A woman ahead of her time, Mildred was a divorcee, had affairs, was an unmarried mother and a sucessful businesswoman * New biography coincides with Carol Vorderman's attempt for Channel 5 to emulate Mildred's journey in her own small aircraft 23 b/w illustrations.