Review by Choice Review
Astronomical historian Shayler and aerospace historian Moule present an overview of the history of women in space, with particular attention to the rivalry between the US and the Soviets during the past 40 years. Although the focus is on the women who followed Valentina Tereshkova, the first female Soviet cosmonaut, the authors also treat at length the women who trained for such missions but never flew, their families, and the many women who provided indispensable support roles--seamstresses, spouses, fellow flyers. Because the authors' aim is "to record the long history of women's quest for space, and their competitive nature in matching and at times surpassing male achievements," much of the book reads like a series of almanac entries, rather than a cohesive narrative. The glossary of acronyms used in space programs is selective, so that the book suffers from the use of key acronyms that are never defined. The book joins the chorus of those who lament the gender discrimination that has hindered women from full participation in society, and chronicles the feats of those who nonetheless managed to contribute. Many photographs; a brief bibliography; index of names. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. General readers; lower-division undergraduates. M. H. Chaplin Wellesley College
Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review
