تشالنجر: قصة حقيقية عن البطولة والكارثة على حافة الفضاء

National Book Critics Circle Award Winner in Nonfiction • Kirkus Award Winner in Nonfiction • Nominated for the Andrew Carnegie Award for Excellence in Nonfiction • New York Times Notable Book • New York Times Bestseller • “Amazing... a thrilling suspense novel... Challenger is a great book.” -The Atlantic • “Heartbreaking...a universal story that transcends time.” -The New York Times • “A moving... moving narrative.” - Wall Street Journal. From the New York Times bestselling author of Midnight in Chernobyl comes this meticulous, comprehensive (Washington Post) account of the Challenger disaster, a moment-by-moment account of its events based on fascinating new archival research—a captivating history that reads like a thriller. On January 28, 1986, just 73 seconds after liftoff, the space shuttle Challenger broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all seven passengers on board. Millions of Americans witnessed the tragic death of the Challenger shuttle crew, which included a New Hampshire teacher named Christa McAuliffe. Like the assassination of John F. Kennedy, the Challenger disaster is a defining moment in the history of the twentieth century, a moment that forever changed America's view of itself and its optimism for the future. However, the full story of what happened, and why, has never been told. Based on in-depth archival research and meticulous original reporting, Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster at the Edge of Space follows the lives of a number of key characters - including all seven ill-fated crew members - during the years leading up to the accident, and provides a detailed account of the tragedy itself and the investigation that followed. It is a compelling tale of ambition and creativity undermined by political opportunism and cost-cutting in the name of national prestige; And about arrogance and heroism; And an investigation led by leakers and whistleblowers determined to uncover the truth. Throughout the book, warning signs of an impending disaster appear, which are recognized, then ignored, and later hidden from the public. Higginbotham reveals the history of the Space Shuttle program and the lives of the men and women whose stories were touched by the disaster, as well as the designers, engineers and test pilots who fought against the odds to get the first shuttle into space. Masterfully blending poignant human drama with fascinating, captivating science, Challenger marks a turning point in history and brings to life a story more complex and surprising than we remember.