The No1 Ethical retailer for Books, CD’s, DVD’s & Games
30 Day Refund Guarantee

Wally Funk's Race for Space: The Extraordinary Story of a Female Aviation Pioneer

Wally Funk's Race for Space: The Extraordinary Story of a Female Aviation Pioneer

by SueNelson (Author), Sue Nelson (Author)

  • Used

    Box set::Abridged::Illustrated::Audiobook::Large P 2018

    $3.25
Synopsis

In 1961, Wally Funk was among the Mercury 13, the first group of American pilots to pass the `Woman in Space' programme. Wally sailed through a series of rigorous physical and mental tests, with one of her scores beating all the male Mercury 7 astronauts', including John Glenn's, the first American in orbit. But just one week before the final phase of training, the programme was abruptly cancelled. A combination of politics and prejudice meant that none of the women ever flew into space. Undeterred, Wally went on to become America's first female aviation safety inspector, though her dream of being an astronaut never dimmed. In this offbeat odyssey, journalist and fellow space buff Sue Nelson joins Wally, now approaching her eightieth birthday, as she races to make her own giant leap before it's too late. Covering their travels across the United States and Europe - taking in NASA's mission control in Houston, the European Space Agency's HQ in Paris and Spaceport America in New Mexico, where Wally's ride into space awaits - this is a uniquely intimate and entertaining portrait of a true aviation trailblazer.

$3.25

Save:$15.57 (83%)

Quantity

3 in stock

More Information

Format: Box set::Abridged::Illustrated::Audiobook::Large P
 Pages: 256
 Publisher: The Westbourne Press
Published: 04 Oct 2018
ISBN 10: 1908906340
ISBN 13: 9781908906342
Book Overview: * Set against the backdrop of international space travel, this is the inspirational story of a female pilot who led the way for women in space * A must read for fans of Hidden Figures, Tim Peake's Ask An Astronaut and Endurance by Scott Kelly * Expecting endorsements from Tim Peake, Helen Sharman and Brian Cox, all friends of author * Author tour with Wally Funk 10-18 October 2018 with events confirmed at Southbank Centre, Imperial War Museum book signing, Glasgow Science Centre, Manchester Literature Festival, National Space Centre in Leicester, British Interplanetary Society (London) * Extensive media campaign with expected coverage on BBC Breakfast, Loose Women, major broadsheets, R4 Woman's Hour etc. * Published to coincide with the `Mercury 13' Netflix documentary and an Amazon Prime TV series (with Jessica Chastain), and the 50th anniversary of Moon landings in 2019

Media Reviews
'Wally Funk's story is a textbook study in indefatigable, American, can-do spirit.' - The Guardian; Fascinating and poignant ... puts the story of women in space front and centre' - Dallas Campbell;'A wonderful, vivid portrait of Wally Funk that explores the crucial part women have played in space exploration.' - Libby Jackson, author of A Galaxy of Her Own;'A charming window into the life of an extraordinary woman.' - Angela Saini, author of Inferior;'Inspiring ... I am in great admiration of Wally Funk who showed tremendous courage and determination at a time when the world of space flight was dominated by men.' - Jan Worner, Director General of the European Space Agency
Author Bio
Sue Nelson is an award-winning science journalist and broadcaster. A former BBC TV science and environment correspondent and Radio 4 presenter, Sue currently makes short films on space missions for the European Space Agency, and presents the Space Boffins podcast, whose guests have included astronauts Buzz Aldrin, Eileen Collins, Tim Peake and Helen Sharman. During her extensive broadcasting career, Sue has covered everything from cloning, species extinction and disease outbreaks to GM crops, eclipses and exploding rockets, and has driven a moon buggy on a London street alongside the last man to walk on the Moon, Apollo astronaut Gene Cernan. Her award-winning 2016 documentary `Women with the Right Stuff', on the history of women in space, was one of BBC World Service's most-listened-to podcasts. She is the co-author of How to Clone the Perfect Blonde.