Rise of the rocket girls : the women who propelled us, from missiles to the moon to mars / Nathalia Holt.
In the 1940s, when the newly minted Jet Propulsion Laboratory needed quick-thinking mathematicians, it recruited an elite group of young women -- known as human computers -- who, with only pencil, paper, and brain power, helped bring about America's first ballistic missiles. But their hearts lay in the dream of space exploration, and when JPL became part of NASA, the computers helped send the first probes to the moon. Later, through their efforts, we launched the ships that showed us the contours of our solar system. For the first time, Nathalia Holt tells the stories of these women, who charted a course not only for the future of space exploration but also for the prospects of female scientists. Based on extensive research and interviews with the living members of the team, Rise of the Rocket Girls illuminates the role of women in science, both where we've been and the far reaches of space to which we're heading
Record details
- ISBN: 0316338907
- ISBN: 9780316338905
- Physical Description: xiii, 337 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some color) ; 21 cm
- Edition: First Back Bay edition, January 2017
- Publisher: New York, New York : Back Bay Books (Little, Brown and Company), 2017.
- Copyright: ©2016
Content descriptions
- Bibliography, etc. Note:
- Includes bibliographical references (pages 293-323) and index.
- Formatted Contents Note:
- A door opens -- Mobilization -- Past is prologue -- The double V -- Manifest destiny -- War birds -- The duration -- Those who moved forward -- Breaking the barriers -- Home by the sea -- The area rule -- Serendipity -- Turbulence -- Angle of attack -- Young, gifted, and black -- What a difference a day makes -- Outer space -- With all deliberate speed -- Model behavior -- Degrees of freedom -- Out of the past, the future -- America is for everybody -- To boldly goJanuary 1958: Launch day -- Up, up, and away -- Headed west -- Rockets rising -- Miss Guided Missile -- Holding back -- Ninety days and ninety minutes -- Moonglow -- Analog overlords -- Planetary pull -- The last queen of outer space -- Men are from Mars -- Look like a girl
- Target Audience Note:
- 1040L Lexile
Search for related items by subject
- Subject:
- United States. National Aeronautics and Space Administration > Officials and employees > Biography.
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (U.S.) > Biography.
Jet Propulsion Laboratory (U.S.) > History.
Memoirs and biographies.
African American authors.
African American interest.
African American mathematicians > Biography.
African American women > Biography.
African Americans > Biography.
Astronautics > United States > History > 20th century.
Astronauts > Biography.
Astronauts > United States > Biography.
Autobiographies.
Mathematicians > United States.
Race discrimination.
Race discrimination > United States.
Rocketry > United States > History.
Sexism.
Space race.
Women computer programmers > United States > Biography.
Women computer programmers > United States > History.
Women in computer science > United States > Biography.
Women mathematicians > United States.
Women mathematicians > United States > Biography.
Women mathematicians > United States > History.
Women > Biography.
Biography.
Sexism.
Women.
Womyn. - Genre:
- Biographies.
Available copies
- 50 of 50 copies available at NC Cardinal. (Show)
- 1 of 1 copy available at Onslow County Public Library.
Holds
- 0 current holds with 50 total copies.
Other Formats and Editions
Show Only Available Copies
| Location | Call Number / Copy Notes | Barcode | Shelving Location | Status | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jacksonville Main Library | 629.4072 HOL (Text) | 36015000611703 | Adult Nonfiction | Available | - |
Accessibility Features
Summary:
In the 1940s, when the newly minted Jet Propulsion Laboratory needed quick-thinking mathematicians, it recruited an elite group of young women -- known as human computers -- who, with only pencil, paper, and brain power, helped bring about America's first ballistic missiles. But their hearts lay in the dream of space exploration, and when JPL became part of NASA, the computers helped send the first probes to the moon. Later, through their efforts, we launched the ships that showed us the contours of our solar system. For the first time, Nathalia Holt tells the stories of these women, who charted a course not only for the future of space exploration but also for the prospects of female scientists. Based on extensive research and interviews with the living members of the team, Rise of the Rocket Girls illuminates the role of women in science, both where we've been and the far reaches of space to which we're heading
