The Woman in the Moon - by Richard Maurer (Paperback)

About the Book

"A stunning and intimate biography of Margaret Hamilton, the computer engineer who helped Apollo 11 and mankind get from the Earth to the moon. First-hand accounts, exclusive interviews with the legendary Margaret Hamilton, and detailed science populate the pages of this remarkable biography. In 1969, mankind successfully left our atmosphere and landed on the moon. It took countless hours of calculations, training, wonder, and sacrifice from all of the men and women who worked hard to make that landing. One of those people was Margaret Hamilton. A young computer engineer, Hamilton was hired to develop the completely new software used in the groundbreaking Apollo Space Program. Soon she became the lead engineer, one of the few women in the almost entirely male-dominated profession. But it wasn't always easy. In The Woman in the Moon, science-writer and journalist Richard Maurer (Destination Moon, 2019) dives deep into the backstory of this extraordinary woman. With first-hand interviews and access to primary sources, this striking biography perfectly captures the exciting atmosphere of the Space Race and the inspiring figure of Margaret Hamilton"--

Book Synopsis

A stunning and intimate biography of Margaret Hamilton, the computer engineer who helped Apollo 11 and mankind get from the Earth to the moon.

First-hand accounts, exclusive interviews with the legendary Margaret Hamilton, and detailed science populate the pages of this remarkable biography.

In 1969, mankind successfully left our atmosphere and landed on the moon. It took countless hours of calculations, training, wonder, and sacrifice from all of the men and women who worked hard to make that landing. One of those people was Margaret Hamilton.

A young computer engineer, Hamilton was hired to develop the completely new software used in the groundbreaking Apollo Space Program. Soon she became the lead engineer, one of the few women in the almost entirely male-dominated profession. But it wasn't always easy.

In The Woman in the Moon, science-writer and journalist Richard Maurer (Destination Moon, 2019) dives deep into the backstory of this extraordinary woman. With first-hand interviews and access to primary sources, this striking biography perfectly captures the exciting atmosphere of the Space Race and the inspiring figure of Margaret Hamilton.

Review Quotes

An NSTA Outstanding Science Trade Book for Students

"In 1969, men walked on the moon. But it was a woman, Margaret Hamilton, who put them there. A brilliant mathematician who coined the term, 'software engineering, ' she led the Apollo 11 onboard flight software team into space--and history." - Bonnie Garmus, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Lessons in Chemistry

"An appealing biography of a quietly trailblazing engineer." - Kirkus Reviews

"Detailing the beginnings of software engineering, the ins and outs of the Apollo missions, and the social arc away from the 'men only' establishment, this read credits a female pioneer whose work brought a concept to life." - Publishers Weekly

"A deserved spotlight on Margaret Hamilton and valuable addition to books about the space program." - Horn Book Magazine

"Fascinating and engaging...Maurer manages to make even the most complicated subjects accessible." - BCCB

"Maurer's detailed approach to Hamilton's life will interest readers intrigued by underrepresented women in STEM." - Booklist

About the Author

Richard Maurer is a freelance science writer, exhibit developer, and children's book author. His book Destination Moon was named a 2019 Editor's Choice Best Book of the Year by Booklist. In a starred review, Kirkus reviews called it, "Inspiring, fascinating, and, like the millions of parts that had to function for the space program to succeed, practically perfect." Maurer is from Texas and currently resides in Massachusetts.