Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
Who Would Like This Book:
Hidden Figures shines a much-needed spotlight on the brilliant Black women mathematicians who helped launch the U.S. into space. It's both an eye-opening lesson in forgotten history and an empowering portrait of perseverance in the face of racial and gender barriers. Perfect for anyone interested in STEM, history buffs, educators, and readers who appreciate stories of overcoming adversity. If you loved the movie, you'll find even more fascinating details in the book.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the writing style a bit dry or choppy, wishing for more engaging storytelling or character depth. Others thought the book was heavy on historical context or the impact of segregation at the expense of technical and scientific detail. If you prefer fast-paced narratives, tightly focused biographies, or lots of personal photos and vivid anecdotes, this book might not grip you as much.
About:
"Hidden Figures" by Margot Lee Shetterly is a compelling true story that sheds light on the untold contributions of black women mathematicians who played a crucial role in the American space race. The book delves into the lives and struggles of these remarkable women, focusing on their journey in breaking stereotypes, overcoming discrimination, and making significant advancements in mathematics and engineering fields during the challenging times of WWII and the civil rights movement.
The narrative of "Hidden Figures" intricately weaves together the personal stories of Dorothy Vaughan, Katherine Johnson, and Mary Jackson, highlighting their unwavering determination, resilience, and intelligence in the face of adversity. Through a blend of historical detail, character depth, and societal challenges, the book not only celebrates the achievements of these unsung heroes but also provides a poignant reflection on the impact of segregation, gender biases, and the evolving landscape of the aerospace industry.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include discussions of racial discrimination, segregation, and other civil rights issues that may be distressing to some readers.
From The Publisher:
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-a powerful, revelatory history essential to our understanding of race, discrimination, and achievement in modern America. The basis for the smash Academy Award-nominated film 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.
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.
-WINNER OF ANISFIELD-WOLF AWARD FOR NONFICTION
-WINNER BLACK CAUCUS OF AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION BEST NONFICTION BOOK
-WINNER NAACP IMAGE AWARD BEST NONFICTION BOOK
-WINNER NATIONAL ACADEMIES OF SCIENCES, ENGINEERING AND MEDICINE COMMUNICATION AWARD
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2 comment(s)
Too dry
I know this is an important piece of writing because it introduced so many people, myself included, to an important piece of history.
But this book is boring as fuck. God bless Shetterly for writing it, but I could not get through it.
What can you read after
Hidden Figures?
About the Author:
Margot Lee Shetterly grew up in Hampton, Virginia, where she knew many of the women in her book Hidden Figures. She is an Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Fellow and the recipient of a Virginia Foundation for the Humanities grant for her research on women in computing. She lives in Charlottesville, Virginia.
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