ALMOST ASTRONAUTS 13 Women Who Dared to Dream

In the 1950s and ‘60s, thirteen female pilots, known as the "Mercury 13," applied to become astronauts. Susan Ericksen performs this compelling account of their attempt to join the U.S. space program, expertly integrating conversational narrative, compelling quotations, and contrasting viewpoints. Ericksen increases her pace while describing the rigorous water and airborne survival tests experienced by the women and injects a tone of pride when reporting their superior psychological and physiological performance. Ericksen's sassy attitude portrays the Mercury 13's resistance to the scorn and prejudice voiced by leaders like President Johnson and astronaut John Glenn. Indeed, none of them made it into the space program—at best, they were viewed as having “the right stuff at the wrong time.” The book’s last chapter recounts women’s later successes in the field of aeronautics, and Ericksen delivers these with passion. S.W. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2010, Portland, Maine [Published: FEBRUARY 2010]