Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space
By Adam Higginbotham

Gripping' ED CAESAR • 'Masterly' GEOFF DYER • 'Incredible' TIM HARFORD • 'A universal story that transcends time'and NEW YORK TIMESand • 'Superb'and DAILY TELEGRAPHand • 'We know what's going to happen, but feel the suspense nonetheless'and THE TIMES** THEand NEW YORK TIMESand BESTSELLER **** WINNER OF THE KIRKUS BOOK PRIZE FOR NON-FICTION 2024 **The definitive, dramatic, minute-by-minute story of theand Challengerand 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 shuttleand Challengerand 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, theand Challengerand 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,and Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Spaceand 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,and Challengerand 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 National Book Critics' Circle Award 2024Finalist for the Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction 2024Aand Daily Mailand Best Science Books of 2024Aand New York Timesand Notable Book of the Year 2024Aand Washington Postand Notable Book of the Year 2024One of theand New Yorker's dozen Essential Reads of 2024One of theand Atlantic's Ten Best Books of 2024An Amazon Best Book of the Year 2024An Apple Best book and Best Audiobook of 2024A Spotify Best Audiobook of 2024Goodreads' nominee for Readers' Favourite History and Biography 2024