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.
Steel Cut Toe
My kids are hooked on the children's audiobook collection – it's a parenting win! This app is a book lover's dream come true – a vast library right at your fingertips. ListenBook has truly transformed my audiobook experience. The sleek interface, extensive format support, and easy downloading options make it my go-to app!
Acid Gosling
ListenBook's innovation, seamless playback, and versatile features make it a standout app. This app has made waiting in lines and queues an opportunity for exploration and enjoyment. ⏰ Maximizing my time with efficient features – this app's functionality lets me dive into stories even in the busiest moments. 📚⏳ 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.
LunaStar
Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook is a fun feature that adds a unique touch to my audiobook experience. ListenBook's dedication to excellence is evident in its well-designed interface, smooth playback, and powerful features. The app is perfect for long flights. It keeps me entertained the whole time. I love the ability to change the playback pitch. It’s a unique feature. I love the ability to import books from my computer. It’s so easy.
Mallow Man
🎉 An app that turns house chores into exciting adventures – count me in! 🧹📖 ListenBook Pro's tone adjustment feature is a unique touch that adds personalization to my audiobook journey.
Mad Rascal
💼 Making work hours fly by with captivating stories – a true work-life balance! 💻📖 The statistics feature in ListenBook adds an element of self-awareness to my audiobook consumption.
Spider Fuji
Audiobook multitasking made easy – this app's functionality is top-notch. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Green Scavenger
I can't believe I waited so long to start listening to audiobooks – this app has converted me! I can't believe how quickly I finish books now, all thanks to this app. With this app, reading is no longer a luxury – it's a convenient habit. ListenBook has redefined my workout routine. The controls are so user-friendly. Easy sharing with friends via AirDrop. Very convenient.
Tall Sally
As a visually impaired person, this app has opened up a new world of stories for me. 🎧 Immerse yourself in stories effortlessly – this app's functionality is the gateway to endless audiobook adventures. 📚🌟 With ListenBook Pro, I can enjoy super long audiobooks. It's fantastic! The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night. I love the ability to share my progress with friends. It’s a fun feature.
Little Cobra
🏃♂️📚 Running through chapters, literally! This app keeps me motivated on the track. 🏃♂️📖 Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. 📚🔊 Quick access to chapters is so handy. Navigating through content is a breeze. Finally, an app that supports all audiobook formats. It's a dream come true for audiophiles like me. I've found my new favorite narrator! Their voice was perfectly suited to this material, with just the right blend of authority and approachability. The production quality was broadcast-level - no distracting breaths, clicks, or inconsistent volume. Already looking for more of their work.
Ladysmith
Seamless audiobook integration – this app's functionality is truly remarkable. ListenBook's detailed statistics feature helps me keep track of my listening habits. It's amazing to see how much I've learned from all those audiobooks!
Doz
This app has turned audiobook listening into a daily ritual for me. ListenBook's user-friendly interface and seamless playback have made it my go-to app. Unlimited length audiobooks with ListenBook Pro are a huge plus!
Black Fantastic
🎙️ This app's functionality is a symphony of efficiency – I'm enjoying audiobooks without missing a beat in my day. 🎶📚 The best app for audiobooks. Downloading and organizing files is super easy with ListenBook. This app is a must-have for anyone who loves audiobooks. The interface is intuitive, and the app supports all formats. I love the auto-bookmark feature—it saves my place automatically, so I never lose track. Highly recommend!
CodeExia
ListenBook's user-friendly controls and innovative features have made it an essential tool for my audiobook enjoyment. This app's compatibility with different file types means that my entire audiobook collection is at my fingertips. Supports all my playlists and bookmarks perfectly. Fairly enjoyable, but forgettable. I didn’t have any major complaints, but I also don’t see myself revisiting this one. It was a decent way to spend a few hours, though.
VileHero
This app has rekindled my love for literature, and I'm spreading the word to everyone I know. 🏡 Making house chores more enjoyable – audiobooks help me stay engaged while tidying up the living space. 🏠📚 ListenBook’s interface is clean and intuitive. It’s a joy to use. This audiobook spoiled me for others! The narrator's professional delivery set a high bar - perfect diction, ideal pacing, and emotional authenticity. The recording quality was equally impressive with no distracting artifacts. I finished it far too quickly because I couldn't stop listening. The narrator was good but spoke a bit too slowly for my taste. I had to speed it up to 1.2x which then made some parts sound slightly unnatural.
The Shield Toronto
Audiobook pleasure at its finest! This app's sleek design and efficient organization ensure that every story is accessible and delightful. 📚👌 ListenBook is a must-have for any audiobook enthusiast. It's reliable, efficient, and a pleasure to use. The app’s design is sleek and modern. ListenBook is my favorite audiobook player.
Mad Viral
💡 This app truly understands the needs of audiobook enthusiasts – it delivers an effortless and enjoyable listening experience. 📚🎧 ListenBook is more than just an app – it's a doorway to a world of knowledge and imagination. Supports extensive playlists and bookmarks. Very user-friendly. I love the chapter navigation feature. ListenBook makes it easy to find specific sections. The sleep timer is a lifesaver. I fall asleep listening to my books every night.
Moon Radar
🏃♀️📖 Running with purpose – this app keeps my mind engaged as I conquer my fitness goals! 🏃♀️📚 Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh.
Venious
ListenBook's audio filters have transformed the way I experience audio content – it's a real game-changer. I'm addicted to this app's seamless integration with my daily activities. Audiobooks on demand? Yes, please! With this app's diverse format support and easy downloads, my reading routine has reached new heights. 🌟📚 Library organization is brilliant. No more cluttered audiobook collection. ListenBook’s interface is sleek and user-friendly. Finding and playing my audiobooks has never been easier.
White Swan
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a revelation. It elevates the audio quality, providing a clear and immersive listening experience that enhances my enjoyment. The app is perfect for people who love to multitask. I can listen while cooking.
Houston Rocket
Audiobooks have become my escape from reality – a journey into captivating worlds. Effortless audiobook management – this app's usability is a winner. Tone adjustment is an innovative touch that adds a personal connection to the audiobook narration. It's like having a custom reading experience. Adjustable playback speed and volume control are top-notch. A wonderful performance! The narrator captured the mood of the book perfectly, making it easy to visualize each scene. The audio quality was crisp, and the pacing kept me hooked from start to finish.
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