America's 1890s Parachute Queen - William D. Kalt

Death-defying pioneer parachute artist Miss Hazel Keyes earned renown across America, leaping from her balloon in the 1890s. Drawing spectators to her parachuting performances by the thousands for more than a decade jumping with her monkey, Miss Jennie Yan Yan, Hazel endured relentless hardship and injury to earn her living and claim her slice of fame. Suffering assault by friends, family, strangers, and the earth, she survived her perilous occupation for more than a decade.

Following her career, the skydiving queen again garnered fame. She blazed a new trail as she battled her husbands, sons, government officials, and "bad actors" to maintain her wealth, sanity, and property. The rock-tough woman persevered despite gunshot wounds, emotional anguish, and betrayal. Her tale of fortitude stands remarkable in the annals of American history.