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A review by magalis
Right Stuff, Wrong Sex: America's First Women in Space Program by Margaret A. Weitekamp
3.0
Did I enjoy it? Yes. It was a bit slow-going, but I chalk that up to it being non-fiction (and therefore requiring more careful reading than fiction), and not to it being unenjoyable.
Would I read it again? It's unlikely that I would read the entire thing again, but I wouldn't hesitate to use it as a reference as needed.
Who would I recommend it to? People who are interested in the history of aviation and space flight, and especially in the challenges women faced in those two areas.
Any other thoughts? This book simultaneously interested and frustrated me. I will be the first to admit that, while I'm interested in space history I haven't really studied/read around the subject, so I appreciated the parts of the book that detailed the events leading up to the Lovelace tests, as well as the information about what happened after. It was frustrating to read about the challenges and doubts that the women faced, especially since I was well aware that their efforts weren't going to lead to anything (the program ran in the early 1960s around the same time as the Mercury program, but we all know the first American woman in space was Sally Ride in 1983). Overall it was a good review of the program and of women in aviation from the 1930s-1960s. Dr. Weitekamp clearly did extensive research about the women and the program, and her writing was clear and engaging for an academic text (the book began as her doctorate thesis).
Would I read it again? It's unlikely that I would read the entire thing again, but I wouldn't hesitate to use it as a reference as needed.
Who would I recommend it to? People who are interested in the history of aviation and space flight, and especially in the challenges women faced in those two areas.
Any other thoughts? This book simultaneously interested and frustrated me. I will be the first to admit that, while I'm interested in space history I haven't really studied/read around the subject, so I appreciated the parts of the book that detailed the events leading up to the Lovelace tests, as well as the information about what happened after. It was frustrating to read about the challenges and doubts that the women faced, especially since I was well aware that their efforts weren't going to lead to anything (the program ran in the early 1960s around the same time as the Mercury program, but we all know the first American woman in space was Sally Ride in 1983). Overall it was a good review of the program and of women in aviation from the 1930s-1960s. Dr. Weitekamp clearly did extensive research about the women and the program, and her writing was clear and engaging for an academic text (the book began as her doctorate thesis).