Hidden Figures

The story of African-American women who worked as mathematicians and engineers at NASA during the early years of the space program.

3.8/5 Goodreads · 19,400 ratings

240 pages· 35,198 words· Est. 5 hour read

$9.99Save 4%

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Bookroo's summary

Meet Dorothy, Mary, Katherine, and Christine—four African-American mathematicians who broke barriers at NASA. As 'human computers,' they calculated the trajectories that sent astronauts into space, all while navigating the challenges of the Civil Rights era. Their groundbreaking work not only propelled rockets but also advanced gender and racial equality. Discover how these remarkable women transformed NASA and left an indelible mark on history.

From the publisher

New York Times bestselling author Margot Lee Shetterly’s book is now available in a new edition perfect for young readers. This is the amazing true story of four African-American female mathematicians at NASA who helped achieve some of the greatest moments in our space program. 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 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. This book brings to life the stories of Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, Katherine Johnson, and Christine Darden, four African-American women who lived through the civil rights era, the Space Race, the Cold War, and the movement for gender equality, and whose work forever changed the face of NASA and the country.

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