The Mercury 13

The Mercury 13 follows the true story of thirteen skilled female pilots who underwent secret testing in the early 1960s to determine if women could become astronauts. At the center of the narrative is pilot Jerrie Cobb, who exceeded expectations in the same physical tests used to select the Mercury 7 male astronauts. Martha Ackmann documents the intense medical testing at the Lovelace Clinic in New Mexico, where the women proved their capabilities through rigorous physical and psychological evaluations. The book tracks their journey from initial recruitment through their fight for recognition, set against the backdrop of the Space Race and the era's gender barriers. The women's quest to join NASA's astronaut program intersects with significant figures in aviation and politics, including Jackie Cochran, John Glenn, and Vice President Lyndon Johnson. Their story culminates in Congressional hearings that forced America to confront questions about gender discrimination in the space program. The Mercury 13 examines enduring questions about merit versus prejudice, and highlights how institutional barriers can override individual achievement. Through extensive research and interviews, Ackmann reconstructs a crucial chapter in both space exploration and women's rights history.

Readers describe The Mercury 13 as a thorough account that brings attention to overlooked women in aerospace history. The book maintains a journalistic tone while telling the personal stories of the female pilots. Readers appreciated: - Detailed research and historical documentation - First-hand interviews with the women pilots - Clear explanations of technical concepts - Photos and archival materials included Common criticisms: - Writing can be dry in technical sections - Some readers wanted more personal details about the women's lives - A few felt the political context could have been expanded Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (2,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (180+ ratings) Several readers noted the book pairs well with "Right Stuff, Wrong Sex" by Margaret Weitekamp. Multiple reviewers mentioned feeling angry about the discrimination described but praised Ackmann for maintaining objectivity in her reporting rather than sensationalizing events.

Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly The stories of African American women mathematicians who served NASA during the space race parallel the Mercury 13's fight against discrimination in the space program.

Rocket Girl by George D. Morgan Mary Sherman Morgan's journey from farm girl to America's first female rocket scientist illuminates another untold chapter of women's contributions to space exploration.

Rise of the Rocket Girls by Nathalia Holt The women computers of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory demonstrate the crucial role of female mathematicians in America's space achievements.

Promised the Moon by Stephanie Nolen The comprehensive account of the Mercury 13 program expands on Ackmann's work with additional perspectives and historical context.

Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream by Tanya Lee Stone The Mercury 13 story reaches younger readers while maintaining focus on the scientific and social barriers these women faced.

🚀 The term "Mercury 13" was coined by Hollywood producer James Cross in 1995 - decades after the female astronaut testing program. The women themselves didn't use this name during their actual testing period in the 1960s. ✈️ Author Martha Ackmann spent over ten years researching the book, conducting extensive interviews with the surviving Mercury 13 women and their families, and accessing previously classified documents. 🌟 Despite outperforming male astronauts in several tests, the women were never officially part of NASA's program. The testing was conducted privately by Dr. Randy Lovelace, who had tested NASA's Mercury 7 astronauts. 📚 The book focuses particularly on Jerrie Cobb, who passed 87% of the same physical tests as John Glenn and became the first American woman to qualify for astronaut training. 🏆 The Mercury 13 story helped inspire later changes at NASA. Sally Ride became America's first female astronaut in 1983, and by 2019, NASA's astronaut corps was 50% female.