Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster
Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham
Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham
Couldn't load pickup availability
Share
Winner of the 2024 National Book Critics Circle Award in Nonfiction • Winner of the 2024 Kirkus Nonfiction Prize • Shortlisted for the 2025 Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction • A New York Times Notable Book of 2024
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Stunning…A heart-pounding thriller…Challenger is a remarkable book.” —The Atlantic • “Devastating…A universal story that transcends time.” —The New York Times • “Dramatic…a moving narrative.” —The Wall Street Journal
From the New York Times bestselling author of Midnight in Chernobyl comes the definitive, “compelling, and exhaustively researched” (The Washington Post) minute-by-minute account of the Challenger disaster, based on fascinating and new archival research—a riveting history that reads like a thriller.
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. Throughout, there are the ominous warning signs of a tragedy to come, recognized but then ignored, and later hidden from the public.
Higginbotham reveals the history of the shuttle program and the lives of men and women whose stories have been overshadowed by the disaster, as well as the designers, engineers, and test pilots who struggled against the odds to get the first shuttle into space. A masterful blend of riveting human drama and fascinating and absorbing science, Challenger identifies a turning point in history—and brings to life an even more complex and astonishing story than we remember.
Collapsible content
Store Policies - Shipping and In Store Pick Up
PAYMENTS & ORDER CANCELLATIONS
- All sales are final.
- We do not allow order cancellations once an order has been placed. This includes all books, merchandise, and preorders.
- Please review your cart carefully before checking out.
- Discount codes cannot be applied retroactively.
IN-STORE PICKUP POLICY
- You will receive an email once your order is ready for pickup. Please wait for this email before coming in to check on your order.
- Bring your receipt or order confirmation email that includes your order number when picking up.
- You have 14 days from the date your order is marked "ready for pickup" to collect it.
After 14 days, unclaimed orders will be restocked, and no refund will be issued unless you contact our customer service team within the 14-day window at erin@whiterosebooksandmore.com to let us know a date in which you will be picking up your order.
RETURNS & REFUNDS
Online Return / Exchange Policy
- We do not accept returns.
- We offer store credit or a partial refund on a case-by-case basis if your item arrives damaged or there is a fulfillment error on our end.
To request assistance:
- Email erin@whiterosebooksandmore.com within 30 days of the delivery date.
- Include your order number and clear photos of the issue.
- We do not offer full refunds under any circumstance.
In-Store Return / Exchange Policy
- We do not offer returns, but are happy to offer exchanges for eligible items in certain circumstances.
- Exchanges must be made within 7 days of purchase
- Items must be in new, unused condition with original packaging
- Books must be unread and free of damage (no bent pages, cracked spines, or markings).
- Sale items, special event items, blind dates, and final sale items are not eligible for exchange.
- Exchanges made in-store require the original receipt for proof of purchase.
- Exchanges must be made for an item of equal or lesser value, or customer pays the difference. We cannot exchange for store credit.
DAMAGED ITEMS POLICY
We consider an item damaged if:
- There are deep scratches or gouges on the cover, spine, or dust jacket.
- Pages are missing or misprinted.
- There is significant water damage or binding issues.
- Tears larger than 2 inches are visible.
We do not consider the following as damage: - Minor corner dents or edge wear.
- Light scuff marks or scratches.
- Small cosmetic imperfections under 2 inches.
All claims are handled case by case. If approved, we may offer store credit, a replacement (if inventory allows). Damage exchanges only are applicable to items that are shipped and not on in store purchases.
SHIPPING POLICY
Fulfillment Timeline
- Orders are processed within 3 weeks.
- Pre-Order Campaign titles begin to be shipped ON THE RELEASE DATE, not before. You will NOT receive your shipped pre-order on the release date. You MAY receive a pre-order for in-store pick up on the release date depending on our receiving and processing schedule.
- If your order contains a preorder item, your entire order will be held until all items are ready to ship.
Carriers & Tracking
- Double check that you are selecting the shipping carrier and method that you would like at check out. Media Mail does not have insurance and we cannot provide a refund or reshipment of items shipped via Media Mail.
- You will receive a tracking link once your order is dropped off with the carrier.
- A shipping label being created does not mean your order has shipped yet. Tracking updates may take anywhere from 1-2 weeks.
Flat Rate Shipping
- All orders are charged a flat shipping rate, shown at checkout via media mail, or by weight for other shipping methods.
- We ship anywhere USPS, DHL, UPS or FedEx are legally allowed to ship to. Shipping internationally has its own risks and may result in tariffs or fees on the end of our customers. Please order internationally at your own risk.
Incorrect Addresses & Returned Packages
- If a package is returned due to an incorrect or incomplete address, the customer is responsible for return shipping costs.
- If the reship fee is not paid, the order will not be resent or refunded.
Replacements
If a replacement is approved:
- The original item must be returned before a replacement is sent.
- We will provide a return shipping label, and the cost of the label will be invoiced to the customer before the replacement is sent.
- The label must be used or scanned within 5 business days (excluding holidays).
- Once the return is marked as delivered to us, your replacement will be processed within 30 days (excluding holidays).
LOST PACKAGES
- If your tracking number shows a package as "delivered" but you have not received it:
Wait 5 business days, as carriers sometimes scan early.
If the package still hasn’t arrived, contact us at erin@whiterosebooksandmore.com within 14 days of the delivery date.
We are unable to assist with lost packages after 14 days.
EVENT BOOK PICKUP POLICY
If your event ticket includes a book and you did not make it to our event:
- You have 14 days to pick it up in-store.
OR - You may request shipping within 14 days (shipping costs apply).
After 14 days, the book will be restocked and no refund or store credit will be issued.