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Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the Moon to Mars,
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Elisabeth
I recommend both. Rise of the Rocket Girls is less coherently written and therefore a more difficult read, but both contain invaluable original research about different people working in different parts of the Space Program.
MD
I respectfully disagree with Jennifer. Rise of the Rocket Girls seemed more superficial than Hidden Figures; there were moments when it read like the author is hoping for someone to buy the movie rights. Hidden Figures felt, oddly enough, like it had a more human connection to its subjects without resorting to the strategies Ms. Holt applied.
I liked them both, but preferred Hidden Figures.
I liked them both, but preferred Hidden Figures.
Jennifer
I've read both and I far preferred Rise of the Rocket Girls. They are both important stories but where this book shines is in the clarity of the author's writing and the way it is written from the perspective of the female computers with an almost overwhelming level of personal detail. You feel as if these women are your friends and because of this you comprehend their triumphs, struggles, and even scientific endeavors in a very personal way.
Cynthia Kiser
I think Hidden Figures was a much better book. It followed fewer women in greater depth so was more coherent. Hidden Figures also was more explicit about describing the social context in which these women operated. Racism and sexism are still with us - but nothing like these women faced in the south in the second half of the twentieth century.
Christine
I liked Rocket Girls better than Hidden Figures, but not significantly. Both start out strong and loose it in the middle some. I preferred the movie for Hidden Figures to the book.
Rocket Girls at the end goes somewhat into how girls in computer science are going down, in the late 60s/70s computer programming had 38% women, in 2016 it was down to 18%, this is consistent with university enrollment.
I preferred the Girls of Atomic City to both in terms of writing style. For cultural history I recommend Nancy Shea's The Army Wife.
Rocket Girls at the end goes somewhat into how girls in computer science are going down, in the late 60s/70s computer programming had 38% women, in 2016 it was down to 18%, this is consistent with university enrollment.
I preferred the Girls of Atomic City to both in terms of writing style. For cultural history I recommend Nancy Shea's The Army Wife.
Alan Rohwer
I read them both & liked them both. I do feel Hidden Figures gave one more personal insight into the ladies depicted and their lives. Hidden Figures has the racial attitudes context that is more unique. That said, the Rocket Girls also depicted the challenges faced by both sets of women for workplace recognition. I'm a history wonk & worked for JPL on projects, including a stay on campus although in the late 60s /early 70s.
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