Class & Event Types:
Books & MoreAge Group:
Adults- Registration is required for this event.
- Registration will open on May 6, 2026 @ 2:00pm.
- A library card is not required.
Program Description
Event Details
Please pick up a copy of the book at the hosting branch.
Copies are available starting one month prior to the discussion, while supplies last.
On January 28, 1986, just seventy-three seconds into flight, the space shuttle Challenger broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all seven people on board. Millions of Americans witnessed the tragic deaths of the crew, which included New Hampshire schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe. Like the assassination of JFK, the Challenger disaster is a defining moment in 20th-century history—one that forever changed the way America thought of itself and its optimistic view of the future. Yet the full story of what happened, and why, has never been told.
Based on extensive archival research and meticulous, original reporting, Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space follows a handful of central protagonists—including each of the seven members of the doomed crew—through the years leading up to the accident, and offers a detailed account of the tragedy itself and the investigation afterward. It’s a compelling tale of ambition and ingenuity undermined by political cynicism and cost-cutting in the interests of burnishing national prestige; of hubris and heroism; and of an investigation driven by leakers and whistleblowers determined to bring the truth to light.
Search for the eBook and/or eAudiobook here.
Disclaimer(s)
Accommodations
If you need accommodations for this program, please contact the Library as soon as you are able.
Food and/or Drinks
Food and/or drinks will be served at this program or event. Please contact the Library with any questions or concerns you have.
While we do not serve snacks containing nuts at any youth classes, we cannot always ensure there is no cross-contamination in processing. If you are concerned, please ask to see the packaging at the event.
Sponsored by Friends
This event was generously sponsored by the Friends of the Library.