'Gripping' ED CAESAR ¿ 'Masterly' GEOFF DYER ¿ 'Incredible' TIM HARFORD ¿ 'A universal story
that transcends time' NEW YORK TIMES ¿ 'Superb' DAILY TELEGRAPH ¿ 'We know what's going to
happen but feel the suspense nonetheless' THE TIMES ** THE NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER ** **
WINNER OF THE KIRKUS BOOK PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2024 ** The definitive dramatic
minute-by-minute story of the Challenger space shuttle disaster based on fascinating in-depth
reporting and new archival research - this is riveting history that reads like a thriller. On
the morning of 28 January 1986 just seventy-three seconds into flight the space shuttle
Challenger broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean killing all seven people on board. Millions
around the world witnessed the tragic deaths of the crew which included 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 a detailed account of the tragedy itself and into the
investigation that followed. It's a compelling tale of optimism and ingenuity shattered by
political cynicism and cost-cutting in the interests of burnishing national prestige of
hubristic 'go fever' and of an investigation driven by heroic leakers and whistle-blowers
determined to bring the truth to light. With astonishing clarity and narrative verve Adam
Higginbotham reveals the history of the shuttle program 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 fascinating science and shocking political infighting Challenger brings
to life a turning point in our history. The result is an even more complex and extraordinary
story than any of us remembered - or thought possible. Finalist for the Carnegie Medal for
Excellence in Nonfiction 2024 An Amazon Best Book of the Year 2024 Goodreads' nominee for
Readers' Favourite History and Biography 2024
