The #1 New York Times bestseller
The phenomenal true story of the black female mathematicians at NASA whose calculations helped fuel some of America’s greatest achievements in space. Soon to be a major motion picture starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, Kirsten Dunst, and Kevin Costner.
Before John Glenn orbited the earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of … the earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as “human computers” used pencils, slide rules and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets, and astronauts, into space.
Among these problem-solvers were a group of exceptionally talented African American women, some of the brightest minds of their generation. Originally relegated to teaching math in the South’s segregated public schools, they were called into service during the labor shortages of World War II, when America’s aeronautics industry was in dire need of anyone who had the right stuff. Suddenly, these overlooked math whizzes had a shot at jobs worthy of their skills, and they answered Uncle Sam’s call, moving to Hampton, Virginia and the fascinating, high-energy world of the Langley Memorial Aeronautical Laboratory.
Even as Virginia’s Jim Crow laws required them to be segregated from their white counterparts, the women of Langley’s all-black “West Computing” group helped America achieve one of the things it desired most: a decisive victory over the Soviet Union in the Cold War, and complete domination of the heavens.
Starting in World War II and moving through to the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement and the Space Race, Hidden Figures follows the interwoven accounts of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson and Christine Darden, four African American women who participated in some of NASA’s greatest successes. It chronicles their careers over nearly three decades they faced challenges, forged alliances and used their intellect to change their own lives, and their country’s future.
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I learned about a group of women I knew nothing about.
Very seldom does a book based on actual people get to be delivered in such a powerful and dramatic way. I read this in one sitting, because I was simply unable to put it down. Amazing!!!
Loved it. A living history of my lifetime.
I watched this with my sons. Even as a white woman I felt her pain. Too often women of any colour are treated as second class citizens in the workplace. But what was happening at that time to black women was beyond the pail. Wonderful testament to Katherine Johnstone,
Incredible true story, beautifully written.
I love the writer’s style- of course you feel horrible for how these brilliant people were treated, it was great to see them show the way they were so smart the other scientist had to give them the respect they so richly deserved!
A most satisfying read! What these women were capable of, and accomplished, is awe-inspiring.
EVEryone shouldered this book.
Excellent presentation of history. Makes you think about what you thought you understood growing up.
Hidden Figures is a wonderfully researched history and inspiring story.
I have been captivated and blown away by the *story* of this book from page one. During a time in American history when any woman, let alone a black one, was neither believed nor expected to have a career of any kind but especially one in math or the sciences, these women did. They jumped hurdles, broke barriers, and changed the minds of countless men who believed math was too difficult for women, as well as changing the face of the workplace landscape. It wasn’t believed they could do what they did, and yet, because of their hard work and dedication, a man made it to the moon. And not only did they do all this, but they did it before and during the intense civil rights movement, while living in the South! I am just amazed. What a treasure that this story has finally been unearthed from the great depths of the mountain that is buried and forgotten history, dusted off, analyzed and researched, and shared with all of us now. I think women of all races can probably thank Dorothy, Katherine, Mary, and all the others, for helping to pave the way for women’s rights.
But about this book specifically—it’s terribly, horribly dry. My husband listened to about 3 minutes of it and said, “the movie is probably better.” (Note: we have not seen it and cannot give an actual opinion on that as of now.) Written almost in a time-line, he-said-she-did-they-went-fashion, makes it a dull reading. It’s clinical and lifeless. Which is unfortunate because the story is remarkable and most definitely could have have been told with boundless heart and passion. One needn’t take any artistic liberty to make the story more dramatic because it’s fabulous. And having read amazingly well written history books (“Boys in the Boat” and “Unbroken” as examples), I know the story written about in this book could have been handled better. As I described to my husband, it’s a story of heart and passion embodied in lifeless, passionless writing. Other gripes include the many facts repeated multiple times, bounce-backs in history that make listening confusing, and endless names of people which are not always distinguishable from one another and are very difficult to keep straight. They are introduced almost like lists, and though each one’s story is told, it just doesn’t seem like there is enough to keep them as separate people.
That said, I learned a lot about this time period and the time and work that actually went into the space race. My appreciation for this time in history and all the hard work made by the people of this pioneering era, most especially the women, has been raised exponentially. I liked that about the book, even with all its delivery faults.
For unearthing the story and bringing it to the forefront of American consciousness, for Dorothy and Catherine and Mary and all the other “computers,” mathematicians, and engineers, I give 5 stars. For the book itself, it’s style and delivery, I give 2. Would I recommend this book? Yes. But be aware that it’s very dry and perhaps not the best vehicle for an amazing true story.
Outstanding real story about very special women in the space program
Great book, who knew these great women did soooo much!!!
I really enjoyed reading this book! It was definitely a page turner, and very informative!! it was also entertaining learning about how these African American women changed their country t
Excellent true account.
I enjoyed the detail of this book. I particularly liked learning of people in history who were the precursors to the ones we well know. For instance, Irene Morgan was the early version of Rosa Parks. While I was reading this book, I realized that it was quite common for these type of actions to take place but time wasn’t ready for them.
Saw the movie and thought it was wonderful. Can you imagine what I would have to say if I had read the book first?
Excellent descriptions of life for women, particularly black women with brains and determination! These days, many young people have no idea what these women went through to attain their right standing in the science and math communities. I believe the younger generation doesn’t have a clue about the difficulties that their predecessors experienced and sacrificed for them. I’m so glad I read this. A MUST READ FOR EVERYONE!
My book club read this and not a one of us liked it. The actual history of these women is interesting and inspiring. The book is dry and boring.
Engaging and inspiring. Help me to know how the black woman and black people in general are sidelined. They were graceful and preserved in completing the task. Yet they were not given the recognition they deserved. I thought it a must read for all humanity.