Sally Ride

America's First Woman in Space

By: Lynn Sherr

Narrated by: Pam Ward

Sally Ride made history as the first American woman in space. A member of the first astronaut class to include women, NASA chose her for the seventh shuttle mission, inspiring several generations of women. After a second flight, Ride served on the panels investigating the Challenger explosion and the Columbia disintegration that killed all aboard. In both instances, she faulted NASA's rush to meet mission deadlines and its organizational failures. She also cofounded a company promoting science and education for children, especially girls.

In Sally Ride: America's First Woman in Space, Lynn Sherr writes about Ride's scrupulously guarded personal life, with exclusive access to Ride's partner, her former husband, her family, and countless friends and colleagues. This is a rich biography of a fascinating woman whose life intersected with revolutionary social and scientific changes in America. Sherr's revealing portrait is warm and admiring but unsparing. It makes this extraordinarily talented and bold woman - an inspiration to millions - come alive.

©2014 Lynn Sherr (P)2014 Tantor

What a remarkable life!

Lynn Sherr has done a great job in relating the story of Sally Ride's life. I learned that Sally was intelligent, driven, level-headed, and, among other things, a teacher, an activist, a tennis player, a scientist, an astronaut, an entrepreneur, a friend and a partner. It was interesting to hear about her path to NASA and how she happened to become the first American woman in space. After NASA, she found her mission in life was to excite and encourage girls to pursue interests and careers in science and math, and she made great strides in that direction.

Some of the events related by Ms. Sherr were sometimes tedious and long. But they do show the frustrations and challenges Sally faced as a woman in jobs and studies that have long been dominated by men. It was also enlightening to learn about her private life and the events leading up to her death. It's sad that society, being what it was in the 80's and 90's, caused Sally's to live her life in a closet until her death. Hopefully today, and maybe ideally and naively, no one has to suffer such sacrifice to chase their dreams.

Maybe I imagined it, but Pam Ward's voice sounds very much like what I remember of Lynn Sherr's voice on TV. Her inflection and tones are very good in relating the sentiments of the words she is reading. I highly recommend this book!

Excellent in every way

Excellent book as well as presentation. I felt like I was learning a lot about someone I admired, but not that it was something I shouldn't know as the author talks about her relationship with Sally and the blessings of her family. I loved learning about her as a person, what drove her, details about the O rings, about the Cosmonauts, etc. I will listen to this again.

Fantasic

Any additional comments?

Sally Ride is a fascinating woman. The book is well written and very well narrated. I'd recommend this book to anyone interested in NASA and/or biographies in general.

Amazing Woman

A well told story of an amazing woman. Loved the insight into one of America's greatest women.

Learned a lot

You think you remember clearly or that you know someone's story. Years go by and time passes and then you realize you had no clue. This was particularly interesting having recently read Billie Jean King's "All In" and the tennis connection between the women. What an outstanding life Dr Ride lived and how sad it was cut so short. We could sure use her voice in today's crazy anti-science world!