The title of the book is derived from John Gillespie Magee Jr.'s well-known Battle of Britain poem "High Flight".

(as she is called in the text) making her way to France to join the fight against Nazi Germany during World War II, despite being in violation of U.S. neutrality laws.

The book covers the period from May 1940 through early 1943, including the Battle of Britain, as well as America's entry into the war in December 1941 following the Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor.

Earhart encounters and befriends other Americans who volunteered to join the Eagle Squadrons and flew with the RAF, including Vernon Keogh, Andrew Mamedoff, and Eugene Tobin.

She also encounters a number of key figures in the British government and BAF, most of whom are unenthusiastic about allowing a woman to join combat missions.