'A masterly example of how meticulous research and adherence to factual detail can build a narrative of almost unbearable suspense. At the same time, with the outcome known from the beginning, the story has the implacable power of tragic inevitability'
- Geoff Dyer
'Gripping and memorable, a definitive account of an American tragedy'
- Ed Caesar
'Deep research, gripping writing and a chilling story. This is an incredible book'
- Tim Harford, author of How To Make The World Add Up
'In Higginbotham's deft hands, the human element - sometimes heroic, sometimes cloaked in doublespeak and bluster - shines through the many technical aspects of this story, a constant reminder that every decision was made by people weighing risks versus expediency, their minds distorted by power, money, politics and yes-men. It's a universal story that transcends time, from Napoleon's decision to attack Russia to the recent Boeing 737 Max debacle'
- Rachel Slade, New York Times
'Dramatic . . . The book delivers a compelling, comprehensive history of the disaster that exposed, as Higginbotham writes, how the nation's smartest minds had unwittingly sent seven men and women to their deaths'
- Andrew Demillo, Independent
'In a masterful tapestry of science, heroism, and heartbreak, Challenger unfolds the profound narrative of a pivotal moment that reshaped our view of the stars and ourselves. Adam Higginbotham captures the spirit of an era, the weight of ambition, and the indomitable courage of those who dared to reach for the heavens, only to be ensnared by tragedy. A gripping, poignant chronicle that reveals the Challenger disaster in a light never seen before'
- Eliot Higgins, author of We Are Bellingcat
'A deeply reported, highly compelling, and richly detailed story of how our highest aspirations can turn into tragedy'
- Paul Caruana Galizia, author of A Death in Malta
'Adam Higginbotham is one of the most brilliant reporters of our generation. He has given us another masterpiece in Challenger. Gripping, forensic and unforgettable, it will undoubtedly be one of the best books of the year'
- Will Storr, author of The Science of Storytelling