Customer Review
- Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2017This is an absolutely incredible story. It follows a group of female African-American math whizzes who fought their way through the ranks at NASA to become mathematicians, engineers, and managers. This book had me from the third page of the introduction. The author, having grown up in the community that grew up around Langley, and whose father worked as a scientist there, wrote, "As a child [...] I knew so many African Americans working in science, math, and engineering that I thought that's just what black folks did." It was the first indication of the community that was so much a part of these women's lives.
What most impressed me about this book is the kind of meritocracy it described. These women were remarkable. They understood math in ways that 99% of the population never will. They were able to work their way into better jobs by impressing the white men in charge. While I think the obstacles they faced were somewhat downplayed, it was still refreshing to read about women breaking down barriers just by their hard work, intelligence, and ability to argue for their ability. Meanwhile, even in heel-dragging Virginia, they were integral members of growing middle-class neighborhoods that prospered while their members had good government jobs.
Overall, my only complaint is that the narrative lacked a sense of urgency and possible consequence. Most impediments were stated in a way that made their eventual conquering seem obvious and inevitable. It is not a book that I read in one sitting, but enjoyed over several weeks of short reading breaks.
