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.
Acid Gosling
The captivating narrators make each story come alive in a unique way. Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. 📱🔊
Little Cobra
The fact that ListenBook doesn't just play, but enhances audio quality, is truly remarkable. ⏰ Early mornings have become my favorite time to listen to audiobooks – energizing! 🌅🎧 The app's compatibility with CarPlay adds an extra layer of convenience, especially during road trips. The app is very intuitive. ListenBook makes finding and playing audiobooks simple.
Poptart AK47
ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. 📱 Carrying my favorite stories with me wherever I go – this app is like a portable library in my pocket. 📚👜 As an audiobook enthusiast, I'm in awe of ListenBook's advanced features. The ability to adjust the reader's voice tone is a unique and fun addition. The statistics feature is brilliant. I love seeing how much time I spend on audiobooks with ListenBook.
Cujo
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. 🎶📚 Enriching my environment with the power of storytelling – audiobooks infuse my home with literary magic. 🎧🏠 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique tool that adds a touch of creativity to my listening experience. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a blessing for clear and distraction-free listening.
Granola Dove
I love how this app's user-friendly interface allows me to navigate through chapters and controls effortlessly. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a standout. Looping playback of a single track helps me focus and absorb complex content. Looping playback is a game-changer for my study sessions. It helps me absorb information more effectively.
Pexxious
ListenBook's dedication to delivering high-quality sound and user-friendly features has won me over. The app's integration with Apple Watch makes it an indispensable tool for my active lifestyle. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has significantly improved the audio quality of my recordings.
Nutmeg
This app has added a new layer of enjoyment to my downtime – I'm truly grateful. I can't get enough of this app's intuitive design – it's like a personal library right at my fingertips. No more carrying heavy books – this app has transformed my reading habits. ListenBook has become my trusted companion. It's my go-to app for expanding my knowledge and enjoyment.
White Dragon
ListenBook's support for CarPlay and Apple Watch integration has made my daily activities more seamless and convenient. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature enhances my immersion in every audiobook, regardless of surroundings.
MythMaker
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Princess Dove
This app's sleek design and effortless controls have made audiobook listening an immersive experience. The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption. Sharing audiobooks with friends is a blast. AirDrop makes it seamless. Navigating chapters is a breeze with ListenBook. It's a user-friendly and seamless experience. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
RightN0w2
This app has become my loyal companion during travels and relaxation times. 💼 Juggling tasks while exploring narratives – this app is my multitasking hero! 💻📖 🚶♂️🌟 Strolling through captivating narratives has never been easier – this app's intuitive controls make audiobook listening a delight. 🎧🏞️ Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch. ListenBook has become my constant companion. It's like having a personal audiobook assistant.
Frosty Squid
Audiobooks have become my favorite workout companions, making exercise a breeze. This app has turned my mundane tasks into exciting opportunities for reading. This audiobook kept me company during a long road trip and made the miles disappear! The narrator's engaging performance and the crisp production quality made for an immersive experience. I appreciated how well they balanced drama with clarity - never sacrificing understanding for effect.
Onion King
ListenBook's library organization and book groups help me keep my content neatly sorted. I'm grateful for ListenBook's support for a wide range of formats, making it a one-stop solution for audio content.
ShadowFax
ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. I'm hooked on this app's ability to turn any moment into a reading opportunity. 🎉 Rekindling my literary flame – this app has brought back the joy of reading in a whole new format. 📖🚀
DARK HQ
I'm blown away by ListenBook's ability to maintain audio quality even for formats like FLAC and AWB. Audiobooks have become my constant companions during my daily activities. ListenBook's basic audio filters enhance my listening experience and make it uniquely mine. ListenBook's interface is so intuitive. I was up and running in no time. The app is so versatile. It works with all my devices.
Lumberyard
I'm enjoying books I never thought I'd be interested in – all thanks to this app. ListenBook has made managing and enjoying audiobooks, lectures, and speeches effortless and enjoyable. ListenBook is a true audio treasure! It turns my own audio files into immersive listening experiences. With ListenBook, I can finally enjoy my audiobooks without worrying about format compatibility. It handles everything!
Handsome
Audiobooks have become my companion during long walks, transforming exercise into a pleasure. 📚 Embracing a new reading habit with this app's seamless accessibility. Say goodbye to boredom! 📱🎉 Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings. ListenBook has revolutionized my audiobook experience. I can't imagine going back! Looping playback is a fantastic study tool. It helps me focus and retain information effectively.
Sky
I've rediscovered the joy of reading through the convenience of audiobooks. 🎉 Unlocking the door to imagination – this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. 📚🔑 ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. The unlimited audiobook length is a dream come true.
General Finish
ListenBook has seamlessly integrated into my daily routine, enhancing my workouts, commutes, and moments of relaxation. It's a true companion. Looping playback is a study tool that I can't live without. It helps me master challenging content. ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use. The import process is seamless. I had no trouble adding my audiobooks.
Ex0tic
With ListenBook, my daily commutes have become a cherished time for learning and enjoyment. ListenBook's loop and shuffle playback features add versatility to my audiobook listening experience.
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