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.
Hoboken Nightingale
This app has broadened my literary horizons, introducing me to new authors. This app is my secret weapon for learning while I'm on the move. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique and fun feature. I can customize the narration to my liking.
Knight Light
I'm addicted to the personalized recommendations – it's like the app knows me! I love that ListenBook supports a wide range of formats, making my library diverse. 💼 Boosting productivity at work with an audiobook in the background – love it! 💻🎧 🚶♀️🎧 Strolling through captivating narratives while I take my daily walks – pure bliss! 🏞️📚 I can’t believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
WanderWord
🚶♀️🎧 Walking has never been this productive – exploring new worlds while I exercise! 🏞️💫 Audiobooks made accessible and enjoyable – this app's design is a triumph. The statistics feature in ListenBook provides valuable insights into my audiobook habits, helping me learn and grow. ListenBook Pro is worth every penny. Unlimited audiobook length? Count me in!
Instant Star
Savoring audiobooks without fuss – this app's design is impressive. Audiobook pleasure simplified – this app's design is a standout. ListenBook's player features are incredibly helpful. Chapters and bookmarks make navigation easy.
Red Pepper
ListenBook's dedication to providing an excellent audiobook experience is evident in its smooth and silky playback. Looping playback is a brilliant study tool. Thanks to ListenBook, my learning has improved!
Flashpoint
ListenBook's support for various audio formats makes it a versatile app for all kinds of audiobook enthusiasts. I'm grateful for ListenBook's seamless compatibility with a variety of formats – it's a true lifesaver. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. 🎉 Unlocking the door to imagination – this app is my key to endless stories and endless possibilities. 📚🔑 ListenBook’s support for CarPlay is great. I can listen to audiobooks in my car easily.
Starshine
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. With ListenBook, I can keep track of my audiobook consumption and explore new content with ease. Looping playback helps me retain knowledge from audiobooks effectively. It's an invaluable tool. Noise reduction and voice tone changing are brilliant features.
Queen Bee
🎧 Fueling my audiobook addiction with this fantastic app – pure listening pleasure! 📚🔥 As a busy individual, I appreciate ListenBook's versatility in downloading audio files from various sources. It's a time-saver for sure! I'm impressed with the wide range of supported formats. Finally, an app that plays all my audiobooks flawlessly. Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus!
Station WMD
This app is my secret weapon for staying entertained during mundane tasks. I love how this app's chapters, bookmarks, and controls give me full control over my audiobook journey. 🎶📚 The harmony between simplicity and functionality in this app is truly impressive. Audiobooks have never sounded this good! 🎵🎧 Bravo to the creators of this app – they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. 📚👏 Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. 📚👌
Classy Dancer
I've found my new favorite way to relax – cuddled up with an audiobook. The ListenBook app is a fantastic companion for my long walks, helping me learn and explore at the same time. The app's support for different audio formats is like a dream come true for audiophiles.
Plenty Orange
ListenBook has made audiobook listening a personalized and enriching journey. 👩🍳 Elevating culinary experiences with auditory tales – cooking has never been this entertaining and educational! 🍳🎧 The app's versatility in audio downloading is impressive. It's a one-stop solution for all my content.
Journeyman
Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. Say goodbye to monotony – this app's diverse format support and intuitive controls have turned my daily activities into thrilling audiobook adventures. 📱🔊 My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials.
Killah Goose
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. User-centric audiobook joy – this app's ease of use is impressive. ListenBook has transformed the way I engage with literature. It's like having a virtual bookshelf in my pocket. I’m blown away by how feature-rich ListenBook is. From the customizable themes to the car mode, everything is designed with the user in mind. The app works flawlessly, and I’ve had zero issues with crashes or bugs. Highly recommend!
Bowie
🌟 Unleashing the power of audiobooks with this user-friendly app – it's like having a personal storyteller on demand! 📚🔥 Smooth playback and great sound quality. ListenBook is my new favorite app! This was my first audiobook in this genre and I'm hooked! The performance brought the story to life in a way reading never could. Already downloaded another by the same narrator.
Vortex
Drag and drop downloads directly from my web browser? That's a level of convenience I appreciate. Perfect for listening to educational materials. Highly efficient and useful.
Roma Kabuki
Gone are the days of waiting for the right time to read – this app is always ready. With this app, I'm experiencing the joy of reading in a whole new light. 📱 Accessing my favorite stories has never been this straightforward – this app's functionality is a bookworm's dream come true. 📚💫 ListenBook has completely elevated my audiobook experience. It's an integral part of my daily routine. The interface is sleek and modern. It's a pleasure to navigate and use the app.
Solo Kill
🏡 Cleaning the house with an audiobook in the background – talk about productivity! 🧼📖 Audiobooks made accessible – this app's ease of use is a true blessing. Library organization has never been this easy. My audiobook collection is finally tidy. The automatic extraction of artwork and metadata keeps my audiobook library organized and visually appealing.
ELLerG!c
The app's customization options allow me to tailor the listening experience to my liking. Listening to audiobooks with my kids has become a cherished bonding activity. ListenBook has redefined my audiobook journey, making it more enjoyable and convenient than ever before. I'm amazed at how this app has made my daily routines more enjoyable and intellectually stimulating.
Truth
The compatibility with CarPlay and Apple Watch sets ListenBook apart from the rest. The audio filters make a noticeable difference. ListenBook provides an excellent listening experience.
Tomcat
🚶♀️🎧 Enjoying the great outdoors while immersing myself in fantastic tales – walking never felt this magical! 🏞️📚 ListenBook is packed with useful features. It’s the best audiobook app I’ve used. ListenBook is the best audiobook player I’ve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers! Great for multitasking! I listened while cooking, driving, and even working out, and it kept me entertained the whole time. The narrator’s voice was pleasant, and the story flowed smoothly. Very enjoyable! Middle-of-the-road experience. The audiobook was fine—good narration, decent story—but it didn’t leave a lasting impression. If you’re looking for something low-commitment, this works.
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