Promised the Moon

Promised the Moon traces the history of thirteen skilled female pilots who underwent secret astronaut testing in the early 1960s. These women, known as the Mercury 13, completed the same rigorous physical and psychological screenings as NASA's male astronauts. The book follows their path from initial recruitment through intensive testing at the Lovelace Clinic in New Mexico. Nolen reconstructs their experiences through interviews, letters, and historical records, revealing both their accomplishments and the obstacles they faced in pursuing spaceflight. The narrative examines the cultural and political context of the Space Race era, including NASA's stance on female astronauts and Congressional hearings on gender discrimination. The Mercury 13 story runs parallel to the experiences of Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, who became the first woman in space. This account of a lesser-known chapter in aerospace history raises questions about merit, opportunity, and institutional bias in the American space program. Through the Mercury 13's story, the book illustrates broader themes of gender roles and scientific advancement in Cold War America.

Readers appreciate this book's focus on the little-known Mercury 13 women who underwent astronaut testing in the 1960s. Many note that Nolen brings these women's stories to light through detailed research and firsthand interviews. Specific praise cites the thorough documentation of discrimination the women faced and the historical context provided about NASA, aviation, and women's rights during that era. Multiple reviews highlight the balance between technical details and human interest. Common criticisms mention that the narrative jumps between too many characters, making it hard to follow individual stories. Some readers found the political and procedural details about NASA bureaucracy tedious. Ratings: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (400+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (50+ reviews) Sample review: "Finally these women get their due. The author lets their accomplishments and determination speak for themselves without sensationalizing." - Goodreads reviewer "Too much focus on institutional structures rather than the women themselves." - Amazon reviewer

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🌟 During the Mercury 13 program, Dr. Randy Lovelace subjected female pilot candidates to the same rigorous physical tests as male astronauts - including injecting ice water into their ears and encasing them in isolation tanks. 🚀 Author Stephanie Nolen spent three years researching the book, conducting over 100 interviews with surviving Mercury 13 participants, their families, and NASA officials. ✈️ Jerrie Cobb, one of the Mercury 13 women, logged more than 10,000 flight hours - exceeding the flight time of John Glenn and many other male astronaut candidates. 🌍 The Soviet Union put the first woman in space, Valentina Tereshkova, in 1963 - 20 years before Sally Ride became the first American woman in space. 💫 Several of the Mercury 13 women outperformed the Mercury 7 men on various physical and psychological tests, yet their program was canceled before they could complete the final phase of testing.