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 knew about the women/computers and still lament their stories are still unfolding after all these years. Why?
Inspirational
Read this book and your appreciation for “elites” will increase. The talent, ability, skills, and intelligence of oppressed unsung heroes has too long been tolerated. Books like this one, and “Code Girls” are long overdue and eye-opening.
Better than “Henrietta Lacks,” which important in its way is not as complete and balanced a story as this one.
Belongs in the libraries of all who consider themselves oriented to reality and who desire to know the truth about the long buried contributions of women and minorities to the history of great moments and achievements in history.
Love this book ! It made me feel I right there with them! Felt the passion and the accomplishment!
A touching true story of the hard work of some genius behind the scene women, helping our country. It takes place before the times of recognition for their gender and their race, and delightfully ends with victory.
Lots of interesting history that not everyone knew about. Let you see what things were like back then and how most women were treated, women were second class and especially black women.
I learned so much. A wonderful read.
When someone has an agenda and tries to twist history to fit it, you have a book like this one.
Katherine Johnson did developed enabling capabilities without which the Apollo program would have been drastically delayed if possible at all. The book barely explains what she did. She had a tremendous respect among her colleagues. Was it hard for her to earn it? You bet. Was she owned that respect before she did what she did? No; respect is earned. Did she deserve the amount of disrespect that was thrown in her face? NO! But in the XXI century have enough respect for the lady to cherish her for what she did; tell this to readers; and do not invent thing. Katherine Johnson did so much; she does not need invented things assigned to her.
A phenomenal story that’s based on the true experience of 3 brilliant African American women who worked at NASA in the early days of the space race. You will admire the pioneering spirit of these women who refused to mute their brilliance or their abilities in spite of the discrimination they faced in the workplace.
While this is an incredible story and should be acknowledged more regularly and consistently in our American History books, I found this book a tangled mess. Often switching from one person of interest to another, I was often lost on who we were talking about currently. Maybe it’s because I saw the movie when it first came out. And even though I found the first half of this book was important background into the NASA section, I was confused for hours of this audiobook on what the story was about. It just felt muddled and disorganized.
It was disheartening to be reminded of the travesty our country brought upon itself as it fought for freedoms outside of America that it encouraged inside. As well as encouraging to what those brave souls fought for and how even now people of character and substance can achieve. The trials and difficulties the American women faced both black and white was definitely highlighted as were the discrepancies between all races and both sexes. The advancements and pay disparages were mentioned as well! The contributions the West Computers made during these historical moments have been built upon and unfortunately were necessary to make the changes we now enjoy, But I wish the story flowed better. I can’t even recall very many you of the names of the key players in this real life drama!!
The performance was impeccable! It felt like one of the ladies of color was telling us her own story while we enjoyed each other’s company in the living room. I just wish I could have interrupted once in a while like I could have in person!
A must-read for all women!
Excellent book about excellent women
Most interesting story. So glad the truth of the women and history behind the space program was finally revealed.
Who knew.?
trash
Information was surprising and unique.
Fills s huge void in our history of black women who made enormous intellectual contributions to our history.
this book is just like the movie it is amazing I love this book I rate this a 1000000000
very inspiring. Not only about these amazing women and Langley, but about segregation and how they overcame it. Great read
Great, great history and fascinating story!