Book description
Winner of the 2024 National Book Critics Circle Award in Nonfiction • Winner of the 2024 Kirkus Nonfiction Prize • Shortlisted for the 2025 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction • A New York Times Notable Book of 2024 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Stunning...A heart-pounding thriller...Challenger is a remarkable book.” —The Atlantic • “Devastating...A universal story that transcends time.” —The New York Times • “Dramatic...a moving narrative.” —The Wall Street Journal From the New York Times bestselling author of Midnight in Chernobyl comes the definitive, “compelling, and exhaustively researched” (The Washington Post) minute-by-minute account of the Challenger disaster, based on fascinating and new archival research—a riveting history that reads like a thriller.On January 28, 1986, just seventy-three seconds into flight, the space shuttle Challenger broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all seven people on board. Millions of Americans witnessed the tragic deaths of the crew, which included New Hampshire schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe. Like the assassination of JFK, the Challenger disaster is a defining moment in 20th-century history—one that forever changed the way America thought of itself and its optimistic view of the future. Yet the full story of what happened, and why, has never been told. Based on extensive archival research and meticulous, original reporting, Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space follows a handful of central protagonists—including each of the seven members of the doomed crew—through the years leading up to the accident, and offers a detailed account of the tragedy itself and the investigation afterward. It’s a compelling tale of ambition and ingenuity undermined by political cynicism and cost-cutting in the interests of burnishing national prestige; of hubris and heroism; and of an investigation driven by leakers and whistleblowers determined to bring the truth to light. Throughout, there are the ominous warning signs of a tragedy to come, recognized but then ignored, and later hidden from the public. Higginbotham reveals the history of the shuttle program and the lives of men and women whose stories have been overshadowed by the disaster, as well as the designers, engineers, and test pilots who struggled against the odds to get the first shuttle into space. A masterful blend of riveting human drama and fascinating and absorbing science, Challenger identifies a turning point in history—and brings to life an even more complex and astonishing story than we remember.
Trash Master
Audiobook immersion without complications – this app's ease of use is commendable. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer for immersive listening in any environment. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. Makes audiobook listening super easy and enjoyable. Thank you!
Kill Switch
This app has turned my gym sessions into immersive storytelling experiences – time flies by! I'm amazed at how this app seamlessly integrates into my life, enhancing every moment with stories. Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories – this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. 📱🎧 ListenBook has become an essential part of my day, enhancing my commute and allowing me to enjoy audiobooks like never before. The app is super intuitive. I was up and running in minutes.
Con Mammoth
I can't imagine my day without a dose of literature from this app. This app is a gift for book lovers who struggle to find reading time. ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey.
FlyGuardX
Audiobooks have made my long drives enjoyable, and this app is my co-pilot. Navigating chapters and genres is a breeze with this app's functionality. ListenBook Pro takes things up a notch with unlimited audiobook length. It's a game-changer! I’ve been using ListenBook for months, and it’s been a fantastic experience. The app is lightweight, doesn’t drain my battery, and works perfectly in the background. The equalizer and voice boost features are amazing. Highly recommend!
Opulent Gamer
This app has transformed my daily walks into exciting literary adventures. I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations – it's like the app knows me! ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! AirDrop sharing is a very convenient feature. Thanks, ListenBook!
MeeP
I'm hooked on this app's effortless downloading process – I can have my favorite audiobooks in seconds. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use.
Old Felix
I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful.
Sienna Princess
This app is a true treasure for audiobook lovers – it's my go-to source for literary adventures! ListenBook's audio filters allow me to customize the audio playback to suit my preferences perfectly.
Mr. Spy
🎉 This app has ignited my passion for reading – I can't get enough of its convenience! 📚🔥 Savoring stories has never been this smooth – this app's functionality is genius. Audiobook immersion without complications – this app's ease of use is commendable. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata adds a professional touch to my audiobook collection. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience.
Sherm
ListenBook's library organization and book groups make managing my collection effortless. 🏝️ Soaking up the sun with an audiobook by my side – beach days just got better! 🏖️📖 Audiobook lovers, rejoice! This app's functionality is a game-changer. Seamlessly switch between formats and enjoy a hassle-free reading experience. 📱🎧
Gov Skull
ListenBook's library organization and Book Groups feature make it easy to keep my audiobooks organized and accessible. The intuitive interface and seamless navigation make this app a joy to use. Thanks to ListenBook's binaural audio processing, my extended listening sessions are fatigue-free. I can't thank this app enough for making my audiobook experience exceptional. Its intuitive interface and diverse compatibility are a true game-changer. 📱🎧
Devil Bread
I never thought I'd enjoy audiobooks as much as I do now – all thanks to this app. 📱 Carrying stories wherever I go – this app's convenience allows me to indulge my love for reading on the move. 📚🛍️ The app's performance is exceptional, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted audiobook experience. It's clear that it's designed with audiobook enthusiasts in mind. The app is so user-friendly. Even my grandma can use it!
Skool
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. This app's ease of use has made my daily activities more enjoyable and educational. Audiobook adventures simplified – this app's functionality is a revelation.
MythMaker
I can't believe how easy it is to download and manage my audio content using ListenBook. The chapters feature on ListenBook enhances my audiobook exploration – it's like flipping through pages. Efficiency meets audiobooks – this app's functionality is a perfect match. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and powerful features have rekindled my love for audiobooks. The audio filters and precise controls are fantastic! Absolutely love this app! It's made my daily commute so much more enjoyable.
Copilot
📱 No more lugging around heavy books – this app brings the library to my phone! 📚📱 🧘♂️ Finding zen in the art of listening – this app takes mindfulness to a new level! 🧘♂️🎧 ⭐️ Kudos to the developers for creating an app that's both functional and user-friendly. I can navigate and enjoy my books effortlessly. 📚👏 ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances the audio quality to a whole new level.
Miss Twilight
ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for enjoying clear audio in any environment. Perfect narration for this genre! The voice actor’s tone matched the atmosphere of the book, enhancing the overall experience. No complaints—just a smooth, enjoyable listen from beginning to end.
RiddleRanger
Integration with Apple CarPlay has made long road trips so much more enjoyable. ListenBook's support for multiple download methods ensures I can always access my favorite content. This app has turned even the most ordinary moments into reading sessions. Elevating my reading experience to a whole new level, this app's user-friendly interface and easy navigation have me hooked. Audiobooks have never been this enjoyable! 📱🔊 ListenBook has broadened my horizons by introducing me to a diverse range of audiobooks. It's a gateway to endless knowledge, entertainment, and inspiration.
Saturn Extreme
The sound quality is outstanding – it's like having a movie theater in my ears! With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one convenient app. ListenBook's clean interface and organized layout make it a pleasure to browse through my audiobooks. The app's performance is beyond impressive. It's like it's tailor-made for my device. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality to a new level.
Bug Fire
I can't believe how much I've learned and enjoyed through this app's audiobooks. With this app, every moment becomes an opportunity to indulge in fantastic stories. The controls, layout, and seamless playback are a reader's dream. 📚🎧
MysticMingle
ListenBook has reignited my love for storytelling and learning, one audio file at a time. I've listened to hundreds of audiobooks, and this one stands out for its professional quality. The narrator struck the ideal balance between dramatic interpretation and letting the text speak for itself. The audio engineering was superb with consistent volume levels and crystal-clear recording. An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience