Hidden Figures is the story of three Black women who overcame racism and sexism to become pioneers in mathematics and space exploration. Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson worked at NASA during the Space Race, calculating trajectories for John Glenn’s historic orbit around Earth. Their brilliance was unquestioned, but their courage and determination were constantly tested. Despite discrimination and meager salaries, these women persisted in their groundbreaking work; they refused to give up on themselves or each other. Drawing on interviews with family members and friends as well as exclusive access to previously unpublished documents—including personal correspondence between the women mathematicians at NASA— Hidden Figures tells an important story about American history that has never been fully told before.
For who is this book for ?
This book is for anyone interested in American history, computers and technology, or the story of underrepresented groups fighting against discrimination.
Pros :
- The book tells the story of three black women who overcame racism and sexism to become pioneers in mathematics and space exploration.
- Hidden Figures is an important story about American history that has never been fully told before.
- The author conducted interviews with family members and friends as well as exclusive access to previously unpublished documents in order to write this book.
Cons :
- The author occasionally interrupts the story to add in information that is not relevant.
- The book does not have a strong plot or narrative arc.
- The women’s stories are interesting, but could have been developed more fully.
Learn more about the author
Margot Lee Shetterly is an author and former journalist. She was born in Hampton, Virginia, to parents who worked at NASA Langley Research Center during the space race. Hidden Figures is her first book.
Reader Reviews
“Absolutely loved it! I was completely absorbed in the history and characters. Couldn’t put it down.”
“This gorgeously written and researched book should be required reading in every school in America.”
“This is the untold story of Black women who helped America win the Space Race. Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson were pioneers in mathematics and space exploration at NASA during segregation. Their brilliance was unquestioned but their courage constantly tested.”
“This book is fantastic! It tells the story of three black women who overcame racism and sexism to become pioneers in mathematics and space exploration. Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Mary Jackson worked for NASA during the Space Race, calculating trajectories for John Glenn’s historic orbit around Earth. Their brilliance was unquestioned, but their courage and determination were constantly tested.”
