Author:Rowland White
On 12th April 1981 a revolutionary new spacecraft blasted off from Florida on her maiden flight. NASA’s Space Shuttle Columbia was the most advanced flying machine ever built – the high watermark of post-war aviation development. A direct descendant of the record-breaking X-planes the likes of which Chuck Yeager had tested in the skies over the Mojave Desert, Columbia was a winged rocket plane, the size of an airliner, capable of flying to space and back before being made ready to fly again. She was the world’s first real spaceship.
On board were men with the Right Stuff. The Shuttle’s Commander, moonwalker John Young, was already a veteran of five spaceflights. Alongside him, Pilot Bob Crippen was making his first, but Crip, taken in by the space agency after the cancellation of a top secret military space station programme in 1969, had worked on the Shuttle’s development for a decade. Never before had a crew been so well prepared for their mission.
Yet less than an hour after Young and Crippen’s spectacular departure from the Cape it was clear that all was not well. Tiles designed to protect Columbia from the blowtorch burn of re-entry were missing from the heatshield. If the damage to their ship was too great the astronauts would be unable to return safely to earth. But neither they nor mission control possessed any way of knowing.
Instead, NASA turned to the National Reconnaissance Office, a spy agency hidden deep inside the Pentagon whose very existence was classified. To help, the NRO would attempt something that had never been done before. Success would require skill, pinpoint timing and luck …
Drawing on brand new interviews with astronauts and engineers, archive material and newly declassified documents, Rowland White, bestselling author of Vulcan 607, has pieced together the dramatic untold story of the mission for the first time. Into the Black is a thrilling race against time; a gripping high stakes cold-war story, and a celebration of a beyond the state-of-the-art machine that, hailed as one of the seven new wonders of the world, rekindled our passion for spaceflight.
*With a foreword by Astronaut Richard Truly*
‘Beautifully researched and written, Into the Black tells the true, complete story of the Space Shuttle better than it’s ever been told before.’
Colonel Chris Hadfield, former Astronaut and Space Station Commander
‘Brilliantly revealed, Into the Black is the finely tuned true story of the first flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia. Rowland White has magnificently laid bare the unknown dangers and unseen hazards of that first mission … Once read, not forgotten.’
Clive Cussler
The Right Stuff of our times
—— Daily MailWill delight every gardener
—— BBC Gardener's WorldPlayful, yet deep
—— Dr. George Church, Harvard UniversityI love this book so much I 3D printed myself a second heart so I could love it more
—— Dr. Phil Plait, astronomer, author, writer of the Bad Astronomy BlogKelly and Zach promised me a crystal ball, but what I got is both more insightful and far more entertaining than staring into a dumb glass orb. Soonish will make you laugh and - without you even realizing it - give you insight into the most ambitious technological feats of our time. You should read this book, sooner than soonish
—— Alexis Ohanian, Cofounder of RedditBasically, I think this book is a masterpiece, and something I wish I'd written myself
—— Scott Aaronson, David J. Bruton Centennial Professor of Computer Science at the University of Texas at Austin and author of 'Quantum Computing Since Democritus'Compelling, accessible, and wryly funny ... Popular-science writing has rarely been so whip-smart, captivating, or hilarious (albeit occasionally terrifying)
—— Sarah Hunter , BooklistA fascinating look at the most provocative and promising research going on today and how it could alter the way we work and live
—— Publishers WeeklyToo few kids and young adults understand the power of science and technology. We need role models demonstrating the power of passion and perseverance to make dreams come true. How to Make a Spaceship is filled with innovators and doers. The story will inspire makers of all ages.
—— Dean Kamen, inventor, entrepreneur, founder of FIRST RoboticsThis outstanding and compelling book shows the power of one man’s vision, and the ability of small teams to accomplish extraordinary things. How to Make a Spaceship will inspire and guide you to take on your own Moonshot.
—— Ray Kurzweil, Inventor, Author, Futurist and Chancellor, Singularity UniversityFascinating and funny. I learned something on every page.
—— Tom Chivers, science correspondent of BuzzfeedHannah Fry is one of the best explainers on the planet. In Hello World she examines the ups and downs of living with algorithms everywhere, online and off, in our homes and workplaces, hospitals and supermarkets. She takes a serious subject and leavens it delightfully with her clear writing and captivating stories, and her trademark sense of humour and fun.
—— Steven Strogatz, author of The Joy of XBooks of the Year
—— The TimesBooks of the Year
This short, sharp book on the power and dangers of algorithms offers one of the clearest explanations of a complex subject
Books of the Year
A perky, brief introduction to big data and algorithmic crunching…enjoyably sceptical
Books of the Year
Hannah Fry’s is the most readable, lively and sensible account, neither catastrophising nor pumped with boosterism
Hello World is an illuminating book on the ethical issues around data. Mathematician and presenter Hannah Fry leads us through the not-too-distant worlds of AI politics, healthcare and culture, probing the complex roles of data and algorithms through a range of eye-opening examples. ‘AI’ is a much-used but oft-misunderstood term, and here Fry lays out its impact with ease - 'Best Books of 2018'
—— WIREDTop science writing
—— Evening StandardShe is doing to maths what Brian Cox has done for physics
—— The TimesHannah Fry is quickly becoming the David Attenborough of maths.
—— Guy Kelly , TelegraphDazzling... There is nothing about Gene that is less than nuanced.
—— Sathnam Sanghera , The TimesA magnificent synthesis of the science of life, and forces all to confront the essence of that science as well as the ethical and philosophical challenges to our conception of what constitutes being human
—— Paul Berg, winner of the Nobel Prize in ChemistryWise and lucid...excellent
—— Andrew Marr , BBC Radio 4 Start the WeekA tourist guide to the new Africa, the human genome… Mukherjee gives an exhaustive account of the development of the modern science of inheritance… Mukherjee does a good job of cutting away the web of ambiguity and complexity’
—— Steve Jones , New StatesmanWritten with the rollicking enthusiasm of sports journalism… Mukherjee has an ear for his subject’s rhetorical brilliance.
—— Andrew Solomon , Guardian WeeklyMeticulous… Carefully constructed, deliberate prose.
—— Sumit Paul-Choudary , Literary ReviewMakes a compelling case that our ability to harness the medical benefits of genomic science while avoiding its hazards promises to be among the defining challenges of the 21st century.
—— Andrew Ward , Financial TimesMukherjee has done readers an admirable service, by turning one of the most important scientific sagas – arguably the most important – in history into a tale that is too good not to know
—— Globe and MailRather wonderful book… All-encompassing and eye-opening and moving and amusing, at times, and endlessly fascinating and truly brilliant… As long as intelligent, empathetic, thoughtful people like himself are to the forefront, it should turn out alright.
—— Darragh McManus , Irish IndependnetAn accessible and beautifully written overview of the complex field of genetics by the Indian-born doctor. It’s compellingly personal and provocative, too.
—— TelegraphMukherjee views his subject panoptically from a great and clarifying height, yet also intimately.
—— James Gleick , Scotland on SundayDr Mukherjee uses personal experience to particularly good effect… He writes tenderly.
—— The Economist[A] Magisterial historical survey.
—— Philip Ball , Chemistry WorldMukherjee has a gift for making gripping, vivid narrative out of the cataclysmic but largely invisible drama of molecular biology.
—— Lev Grossman , Time MagazineCompelling
—— Stuart Ritchie , SpectatorFascinating, complex and accessible.
—— Anna Carey , Irish TimesIntimate, insider’s account of the role that genetics.
—— Nilanjana Roy , Financial TimesA tourist guide to the twenty-first century’s uncharted continent, the human genome... Gives a full and lively account of the development of the subject... He has talked to many of the main players and gives deep insights into their moments of discovery... Mukherjee does a good job of cutting away the web of ambiguity and complexity that scientists have woven.
—— Steve Jones , New StatesmanA daring and highly personal voyage into the future of genetic research
—— VogueThe Gene’s dominant traits are historical breadth, clinical compassion, and Mukherjee’s characteristic graceful style… Mukherjee writes eloquently
—— Nathaniel Comfort , AtlanticA fine read, with many fine stories.
—— David McConnell , Irish Times[It is] accessible and beautifully written… It’s compellingly personal and provocative, too.
—— Daily TelegraphThe Gene is a staggeringly impressive piece of writing… [It] takes us on a fascinating journey through the world of genetics… Written with a clarity that brings the most complex concepts to life… An accessible, gripping and thought-provoking read. In short, this book is a masterpiece and you should read it.
—— Jamie Durrani , Chemistry WorldAn essential read.
—— Mail on SundayInspiring and tremendously evocative
—— San Francisco ChronicleA fascinating read
—— Hugh JackmanYou may think this book is not for you. Thing again… My only caution would be not to recommend it to too many people… So whether you’re a teacher or parent attempting to inspire…or you simply want an erudite anecdote, this book is for you. It’s a dazzling example of scientific story-telling and definitely my book of the year.
—— Cath Murray , School's WeekAn epic 150-year, 500-plus page journey of genetic discovery… [An] excellent and authoritative account.
—— Charalambos Kyriacou , Times Higher EducationThis is a brilliantly readable celebration of the science and scientists who have transformed out understanding of what it means to be human.
—— Nick Rennison , Daily MailThe Gene is a truly impressive achievement… Mukherjee has created a masterwork of the history of the gene and its study. In this popular science book, scientist and non-scientist readers alike will feel they have a true understanding of the history, biology and ethics of genetics.
—— Bio NewsHe deftly lays out a history of the gene… One of the great science books of the decade with an engagingly enthusiastic personality at its heart.
—— Saga Magazine[A]superbly written tale.
—— Stephen Meyler , RTE GuideMukherjee writes with clarity and passion… This should prove a fascinating read for anyone interested in understanding how far the study of the gene has taken us, particularly with respect to medicine, and where the future may lie.
—— Emma McConnell , Pharmaceutical JournalAmbitious and honest, The Gene sheds light on both our past and future.
—— Kitty Knowles , MemoMukherjee’s text brims with potential… Surely The Gene has to be the new bible for a new generation of aspiring biologists, biochemists and, frankly, thinking people? So whether you’re a teacher or parent attempting to inspire a reluctant teen to get excited about science, or you simply want an erudite anecdote, this book is for you. It’s a dazzling example of scientific story-telling, and definitely my book of the year.
—— School's WeekIf you want a good overview of the history of the gene, you can’t go wrong starting here.
—— Paul Cheney , NudgeA provocative and engaging [read].
—— Independent NurseMukherjee’s prose tends to be lavish, but this befits the weighty topic, and his explanatory style is clear yet enveloping… Compelling scientific and medical storytelling… A spectacular effort from an author I hopes has plenty more tales to tell.
—— Euan Ashley , LancetAn essential guide to biology.
—— Gentleman's Journal, Book of the YearA brilliant, chunky, study of genes.
—— William Leith , Evening StandardThis book captures the progression from that intuitive sense of genetics to its birth as a veritable science and, for better or for worse, its evolution into a powerful tool… The book ends not with a conclusion, but with a feeling of anticipation… In many ways, The Gene is a call for caution and for a thoughtful consideration of the possibilities that progress may bring… When genes become tools, what will those tools be used for? As we try to answer that question, Mukherjee’s book asks us to carefully look back before we continue to move forward
—— Claire McDaniel & Daniel Marchalik , British Medical JournalA comprehensive – and gripping – history of the gene
—— Emma Finamore , Memo