Rise of the Rocket Girls
Rise of the Rocket Girls
Nonfiction | Biography | Adult | Published in 2016
Book Brief
352
Biography • Nonfiction
California • 1940s-1960s
2016
Adult
16+ years
1040L
Super Short Summary
Rise of the Rocket Girls by Nathalia Holt recounts the untold story of the exceptional women mathematicians at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory from the 1940s. These pioneering "human computers" were crucial in calculating missile trajectories and later, space missions to Mars and the moon. Despite facing gender-based discrimination and unequal pay, they achieved remarkable advancements, including leadership roles and early computer programming. The book also discusses workplace sexual harassment.
Inspirational
Informative
Nostalgic
Reviews & Readership
10,455 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Nathalia Holt's Rise of the Rocket Girls has been praised for its engaging narrative and inspirational depiction of the women who played crucial roles at NASA. The book's well-researched historical context is a highlight, though some critics note occasional lack of depth in individual character portrayals. Overall, it successfully sheds light on the overlooked contributions of these pioneering women.
Who Should Read Rise of the Rocket Girls?
Readers who will enjoy Rise of the Rocket Girls by Nathalia Holt are typically those fascinated by space exploration, the contributions of women in STEM, and historical narratives of overlooked figures. Fans of Margot Lee Shetterly's Hidden Figures and Walter Isaacson's The Innovators will find this book particularly engaging.
10,455 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
352
Biography • Nonfiction
California • 1940s-1960s
2016
Adult
16+ years
1040L
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