Slaying Snakes In the Cockpit
I absolutely loved reading this book! Susan Kilrain has written a wonderful memoir of her life’s fascinating moments: her struggles, independence, resilience, and perseverance. Each story carries a special message, evokes many emotions, and delivers lessons along the way. As I read, I was alternating between shock, laughter, and feeling pride for her accomplishments. For those interested in military flying, astronaut experiences, or overcoming challenges, Slaying Snakes in the Cockpit is for you! I guarantee you will have a tough time putting it down!
Eileen M. Collins, Colonel, USAF, Retired, author of Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars: The Story of the First American Woman to Command a Space Mission
……………..
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Commander Susan Kilrain’s amazing story of her challenges, disappointments, triumphs, and achievements. From humble beginnings, she succeeded not only as a Navy fighter pilot, but she went on to become the youngest person ever to pilot the space shuttle.
One of the first women to fly the mighty F-14 Tomcat fighter jet, the star of the movie Top Gun, she describes how she focused on her ultimate goal of becoming a space shuttle pilot even in the face of setbacks. We learn of the persistence that enabled her to break into the previously male-dominated worlds of naval jet fighter pilots and the highest of imaginable heights. Her concise description of her emotions, fears, and unrelenting determination prevented me from putting down this fascinating book. I eagerly read it from start to finish.
This book should be required reading for professional women as well as men planning a career. Move over, Top Gun, Susan Kilrain is the real deal, with the genuine Right Stuff!
Captain Robert “Hoot” Gibson USN, Fighter Pilot, Test Pilot, former NASA Chief Astronaut and author of Space Ace
……………..
Slaying Snakes in the Cockpit is a riveting memoir by friend, colleague, and incredible storyteller Susan Kilrain. Susan takes the reader on an exciting journey navigating a circuitous obstacle-rich environment as a wife, mother, fighter pilot and astronaut – culminating in the right stuff to become the youngest NASA space shuttle pilot.
Leland Melvin, former NASA astronaut and author of Chasing Space and the Space Chasers graphic novel series
……………..
Susan Kilrain, who trailblazed a path to become the first woman Navy Test Pilot to fly the space shuttle, takes us on a personal behind-the-scenes journey into the worlds of naval aviation and the NASA Astronaut Corps. Overcoming immense obstacles and immeasurable odds to reach her lifelong goal of becoming an astronaut, Susan opens her heart to the reader with rare honesty and relatable experiences. This is a must read for anyone pursuing a dream. When you think there is no chance of success – read this book and think again.
Mike Massimino, former NASA Astronaut, New York Times Bestselling author of Spaceman and Moonshot
……………..
This book is a powerful reminder that extraordinary journeys rarely begin with privilege or certainty – they begin with grit and honesty. Susan traces her path from a turbulent childhood to the unforgiving worlds of military aviation and spaceflight, showing what it really takes to persist when the odds are stacked against you. Her story isn’t about perfection or luck. It’s about preparation, resilience, and learning how to keep flying when everything seems to be going wrong at once. What makes this book resonate is its hard-earned wisdom: fear can be managed, setbacks can be reframed, and success often belongs to those willing to adapt rather than quit. It’s an inspiring, unvarnished account of what it means to aim high and keep going.
Scott Kelly, former NASA Astronaut and Author of Endurance
……………..
If you have a daughter or niece inmiddle school through twenty-something, buy her this book. Commander Kilrain tells a compelling story set during a time of major change in the 1970s, 80s, and 90s, but its deeper value is as a practical roadmap for any woman pursuing success in a male-dominated field. It teaches hard-won lessons: set a goal that burns in your heart, push through fear, find another way when you hear “no,” and keep moving forward with grit and persistence. It also reminds readers that success takes both toughness and judgment – knowing when to joke back, and when to stand firmly against prejudice. This is a book about ambition, resilience, and refusing to let a dream be denied.
Jim Halsell, former NASA Astronaut
……………..
This is the story of a woman who mapped out her future in a male-dominated world and marched right into it, confident and undaunted. With determination and resilience, she conquered occasional fears and the too-frequent doubts, animosity, and obstacles hurled by others. Susan Still Kilrain, always guided by her uncommonly clear goals and her tenacity to stay on the paths she plotted to achieve them, tells her story as if talking to the reader. She draws you into engineering and aviation, landing on an aircraft carrier, being a fighter pilot, becoming an astronaut, piloting space shuttle missions, being a devoted wife and mother, and reinventing a career after flying. She relives moments of danger and recovery, always showing the skills and attitudes that mattered most. In an account that is frank, informative, and sometimes humorous or poignant, she shares her life lessons and encourages others to persist in achieving their ambitions, to make possible the seemingly impossible. Her children’s book, An Unlikely Astronaut, charmingly conveys this message to younger readers. Both of Kilrain’s books are captivating.
Valerie Neal, Curator Emerita and former Chair, Space History Department, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum
……………..
Buckle up for the ride of your life! Susan Kilrain’s Slaying Snakes in the Cockpit is wildly exhilarating, deeply personal, and beautifully written. Her storied life as a fighter pilot, astronaut, wife, and mother will leave you breathless, emotionally drained, and incredibly humbled by her achievements in and out of the cockpit. It’s the best astronaut memoir I have ever read!
Admiral William H. McRaven, USN, Retired, NY Times best-selling Author of Make Your Bed, The Hero Code, Sea Stories, Conquering Crisis, and The Wisdom of the Bullfrog
……………..
This book is about a young girl who discovered her dream at an early age and navigated an unconventional path to achieve it. Susan’s accomplishments are truly inspiring and a good lesson – if you can see it, you can do it. If you want it bad enough, never accept no, don’t make walls out of speed bumps, never give up on your dream: that’s what this book is all about.
On 28 April 1993, Secretary of Defense Les Aspin lifted the combat exclusion for women from aviation, permitting women to serve in almost any aviation capacity. At the time, my job was Head, Junior Officer assignments in the Aviation Distribution Branch, Bureau of Naval Personnel. When I reported to that job in January 1993, my boss told me the Secretary of Defense may lift the Combat Exclusion Policy for women in aviation and instructed me to pick twenty-five women for initial assignment. I reviewed every female naval aviator’s record that would be eligible for assignment. Susan’s record was the most impressive, and she was number one on the list. The day the exclusion was lifted, she was the first person I called. At the time, she was attending Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, MD. She declined the orders, stating she wanted to finish TestPilot School and stay on the east coast. You can imagine my surprise when I ran into her when she was checking in to VF-101 for F-14 Tomcat training the following year.
Captain Chuck Wyatt, USN, Retired, FormerVF-101 Commanding Officer
……………..
I implore you to read this book. Amid a plethora of publications by and about space shuttle astronauts, Susan’s extraordinary autobiography is at the very pinnacle. For her, the path to space was strewn with countless obstacles – mostly as a woman wanting to succeed in a succession of male-dominated domains. However, the grit and determination she found within herself to finally realize her dreams is related with complete and unapologetic honesty. I was cheering her on with every page I read.
Colin Burgess, space historian and author of Fallen Astronauts, The Greatest Adventure, and more
……………..
To be selected as a NASA space shuttle pilot-astronaut is a high mark of achievement indeed. So is being selected as a US Navy fighter pilot. Susan Kilrain has adroitly managed to shoehorn both inside one single lifetime. I appreciated and applauded her achievements as I read along, but what I honestly wasn’t prepared for were the additional hurdles she faced for simply being a woman. It’s as bare and honest a look at one’s own career and choices as any I’ve ever read. Do you want to understand what intelligent and determined people go through in order to succeed, even when the odds lean against them? Then give this book a read.
Jay Gallentine, space historian and Author of Born to Explore, Infinity Beckoned, and Ambassadors from Earth
……………..
Susan Kilrain followed a unique path to an astronaut career and flights to orbit, rising from a challenged childhood and home life to engineering school, and then to naval aviation, becoming not only one of the first women cleared for combat duty but also a naval test pilot. All of this prior to winning selection as a NASA astronaut and piloting two science missions aboard the shuttle.
In Slaying Snakes in the Cockpit, Kilrain shares her journey with uncommon frankness, telling the painful yet ultimately inspiring tale of a woman in America’s military and space program.
Michael Cassutt, space historian and Author of The Astronaut Maker and Tango Midnight
……………..
From engineer to naval aviator to space shuttle pilot and beyond, Susan Kilrain has lived an incredible journey. But what’s most incredible about Slaying Snakes in the Cockpit is how Susan invites the reader to join her on that unique journey, bringing to life unforgettable experiences vividly and colorfully.
David Hitt, space historian and Author of Bold They Rise and Homesteading Space
……………..
Susan’s story lands with power and grace. As a devoted daughter shaped by a father who taught her that everything was possible, you can feel that foundation in every page – a steady, honest, and deeply human story that completely pulled me in. This is a woman who leads, lifts others, and reminds us to go after what calls us, fully and unapologetically. I love this book!
Michelle Valberg, internationally acclaimed photographer
……………..
While I grew up an uber fan of Apollo, I was a child of the magnificent shuttle. All shuttle fans likely know what an amazing achievement it is to be named a pilot of that beautiful spacecraft, not to mention being the youngest ever to do it. Then to go on to actually do it twice! My daughter was born in 2015 and she can’t seem to connect with names like Armstrong, Stafford, and Young. But she sure does find it easy to connect with names like Ride, Collins, and Kilrain. This book details the life of a true trailblazer and if my little girl can achieve a small fraction of what Commander Kilrain has, I’ll be an awfully proud father!
Jason Rubin, formerly of Al Worden Endeavour Scholarship
……………..
Susan has had a career that is an inspiration to all – she has truly lived the American Dream. Her storytelling is superb, and her book will positively motivate all of its readers.
Carl Jacobson, World Traveler
