Challenger : a true story of heroism and disaster on the edge of space / Adam Higginbotham.
| Author/creator | Higginbotham, Adam author. |
| Format | Book |
| Edition | First Avid Reader Press hardcover edition. |
| Publication | New York : Avid Reader Press, 2024. |
| Copyright Date | ©2024 |
| Description | xi, 561 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (chiefly color) ; 24 cm |
| Subjects |
| Portion of title | True story of heroism and disaster on the edge of space |
| Contents | Prologue -- Part one: The last man on the Moon. Fire on Pad 34 -- Whitey on the Moon -- The spaceplane -- The most complicated machine in history -- The future black spaceman -- The FNGs -- Never a straight answer -- The great tile caper -- Part two: The high frontier. When thoughts turn inward -- The first American woman in space -- The squeeze -- The black cat -- The human satellite -- Acceptable risk -- The teachernauts -- Abort to orbit -- The mystery of Hanger AF -- The back gate -- The ultimate field trip -- Part three: The face of God. Friday, January 10, 1986: 7:00 a.m. -- Monday, January 27, 1986: 8:00 a.m. -- Monday, January 27, 1986: 7:55 p.m. -- Tuesday, January 28, 1986: 2:00 a.m. -- Tuesday, January 28, 1986: 11:28 a.m. -- The commission -- The truth -- Apocalypse -- The long fall -- Epilogue. |
| Abstract | "From the New York Times bestselling author of Midnight in Chernobyl comes the definitive, dramatic, minute-by-minute story of the Challenger disaster based on fascinating new archival research and in-depth reporting--a riveting history that reads like a thriller"-- Provided by publisher. |
| Summary | On January 28, 1986, just seventy-three seconds into flight, the space shuttle Challenger broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all seven people on board. Millions of Americans witnessed the tragic deaths of the crew, which included New Hampshire schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe. Like the assassination of JFK, the Challenger disaster is a defining moment in twentieth-century history -- one that forever changed the way America thought of itself and its optimistic view of the future. Yet the full story of what happened, and why, has never been told. Based on extensive archival research and meticulous, original reporting, Challenger : A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space follows a handful of central protagonists -- including each of the seven members of the doomed crew -- through the years leading up to the accident, and offers a detailed account of the tragedy itself and the investigation afterward. It's a compelling tale of ambition and ingenuity undermined by political cynicism and cost-cutting in the interests of burnishing national prestige ; of hubris and heroism ; and of an investigation driven by leakers and whistleblowers determined to bring the truth to light. Throughout, there are the ominous warning signs of a tragedy to come, recognized but then ignored, and later hidden from the public. Higginbotham reveals the history of the shuttle program and the lives of men and women whose stories have been overshadowed by the disaster, as well as the designers, engineers, and test pilots who struggled against the odds to get the first shuttle into space. A masterful blend of riveting human drama and fascinating and absorbing science, Challenger identifies a turning point in history -- and brings to life an even more complex and astonishing story than we remember. -- Provided by publisher. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (pages [533]-542) and index. |
| Issued in other form | Online version: Higginbotham, Adam. Challenger. First Avid Reader Press hardcover edition New York : Avid Reader Press, 2024 9781982176631 |
| Genre/form | Nonfiction. |
| LCCN | 2024002780 |
| ISBN | 9781982176617 (hardcover) |
| ISBN | 198217661X (hardcover) |
| ISBN | 9781982176624 (trade paperback) |
| ISBN | 1982176628 (trade paperback) |
| ISBN | (electronic book) |
| Standard identifier# | 40032369257 |
| Stock number | Simon & Schuster, Order Dept 100 Front st, Riverside, NJ, USA, 08075 SAN 200-2442 |
Availability
| Library | Location | Call Number | Status | Item Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joyner | General Stacks | TL867 .H54 2024 | ✔ Available | Place Hold |