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3.73k reviews for:
Talentos Ocultos: La Genialidad No Tiene Color. La Fuerza No Tiene Género. El Valor No Tiene Límite.
Margot Lee Shetterly
3.83 AVERAGE
3.73k reviews for:
Talentos Ocultos: La Genialidad No Tiene Color. La Fuerza No Tiene Género. El Valor No Tiene Límite.
Margot Lee Shetterly
3.83 AVERAGE
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
adventurous
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
The middle of the 20th century in the United States was a time of constant change, ingenuity, civil unrest, and pushback from women, Black Americans, and other minority groups that demanded equality to the white men that dominated every field and high office in the country. No one was more familiar with the intersectionality of these defining mid-century elements than the Black female computers working for various government organizations that would eventually culminate into what is known today as NASA. Hidden Figures uncovers several of these women's stories that, until the publication of this book and subsequent release of its star-studded movie adaptation, were doomed to be relegated to the lesser-known annals of American history.
Mary Jackson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Katherine G. Johnson were all brilliantly-minded young mathematicians who were hired by the government in the 1940s and early 1950s as computers contributing to the aeronautic developments in the war efforts for World War II and the Korean War. What was initially offered as temporary employment turned into lifelong careers of engineering and innovation in the industry. Following the Korean War, the United States switched gears and focused on their endeavors to reach space, competing closely with Russia in the Great Space Race of the 1950s and 1960s. Jackson, Vaughan, and Johnson all played crucial roles in the development of spacecraft that would ensure America would send the first man to the moon. These women overcame not only gender discrimination but also the segregation and racism that this time in our history would come to be recognized by, and over the years since, their stories would inspire millions of girls, women, and minorities to reach—quite literally—for the stars.
This is an amazing story, but unfortunately, it came wrapped in less amazing execution. I appreciate Shetterly's efforts to share with us this impressive moment in both Black and women's history, but I found the writing and organization of this book to be clunky and confusing throughout. I'm very much looking forward watching to the movie adaptation tonight, although I'm sure it glamorizes the whole affair quite a bit, but I'm willing to bet it's a little more straightforward and easier to parse. And I'm really excited to not be getting the three women confused while I watch! I had to utilize Google a lot while reading this to keep the story straight and look up details. Shetterly would often jump around in her timeline, which didn't help much either. I just think this book would have benefited from some other formatting or something. Maybe it would have helped to divide it into sections focusing on each individual and her accomplishments. I understand that they are intertwined, but especially on audio, this story was just difficult to follow.
That said, wow, what an incredible and uplifting story of overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles to accomplish remarkable careers and achievements. My list of heroes has been growing this Women's History Month, and now I have several more names that can be added to it. My advice? Skip the book and opt for the Cliffnotes version. Of course, enjoy the movie too! (Who doesn't love Janelle Monáe, Taraji P. Henson and most especially Octavia Spencer? I'm pumped!)
Mary Jackson, Dorothy Vaughan, and Katherine G. Johnson were all brilliantly-minded young mathematicians who were hired by the government in the 1940s and early 1950s as computers contributing to the aeronautic developments in the war efforts for World War II and the Korean War. What was initially offered as temporary employment turned into lifelong careers of engineering and innovation in the industry. Following the Korean War, the United States switched gears and focused on their endeavors to reach space, competing closely with Russia in the Great Space Race of the 1950s and 1960s. Jackson, Vaughan, and Johnson all played crucial roles in the development of spacecraft that would ensure America would send the first man to the moon. These women overcame not only gender discrimination but also the segregation and racism that this time in our history would come to be recognized by, and over the years since, their stories would inspire millions of girls, women, and minorities to reach—quite literally—for the stars.
This is an amazing story, but unfortunately, it came wrapped in less amazing execution. I appreciate Shetterly's efforts to share with us this impressive moment in both Black and women's history, but I found the writing and organization of this book to be clunky and confusing throughout. I'm very much looking forward watching to the movie adaptation tonight, although I'm sure it glamorizes the whole affair quite a bit, but I'm willing to bet it's a little more straightforward and easier to parse. And I'm really excited to not be getting the three women confused while I watch! I had to utilize Google a lot while reading this to keep the story straight and look up details. Shetterly would often jump around in her timeline, which didn't help much either. I just think this book would have benefited from some other formatting or something. Maybe it would have helped to divide it into sections focusing on each individual and her accomplishments. I understand that they are intertwined, but especially on audio, this story was just difficult to follow.
That said, wow, what an incredible and uplifting story of overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles to accomplish remarkable careers and achievements. My list of heroes has been growing this Women's History Month, and now I have several more names that can be added to it. My advice? Skip the book and opt for the Cliffnotes version. Of course, enjoy the movie too! (Who doesn't love Janelle Monáe, Taraji P. Henson and most especially Octavia Spencer? I'm pumped!)
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
challenging
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
Before NASA was NASA calculations to put rockets and humans into space were made by human computers, a talented group of female mathematicians. Among them was a group of African American former math teachers from segregated schools.
Even though they faced segregation in their work area as well they refused to let race define them and worked together with their coworkers to provide calculations that allowed the US to enter the space race and eventually put men on the moon.
Even after the advent of computers the women, especially Katherine Johnson, were relied upon to verify the accuracy of the computers. In fact, John Glenn based his decision to make the first manned space flight on Katherine’s confirmation of the correctness of the computer’s calculations.
The book is an homage to what can be accomplished if a person is willing to face challenges, create unlikely alliances and make use of your intelligence and strengths.
Even though they faced segregation in their work area as well they refused to let race define them and worked together with their coworkers to provide calculations that allowed the US to enter the space race and eventually put men on the moon.
Even after the advent of computers the women, especially Katherine Johnson, were relied upon to verify the accuracy of the computers. In fact, John Glenn based his decision to make the first manned space flight on Katherine’s confirmation of the correctness of the computer’s calculations.
The book is an homage to what can be accomplished if a person is willing to face challenges, create unlikely alliances and make use of your intelligence and strengths.
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced