BIBLIO is the largest independent book marketplace in the world, with over 100 million books.

Skip to content

Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space
Stock photo: cover may vary

Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space Paperback - 2026

by Adam Higginbotham

Add to wish list

Reader reviews for Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space

From the publisher

Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in Nonfiction - Winner of the Kirkus Nonfiction Prize - Shortlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction - A New York Times Notable Book

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 metic-ulous, 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 inves-tigation 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.

Details

  • Title Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space
  • Author Adam Higginbotham
  • Binding Paperback
  • Pages 576
  • Volumes 1
  • Language ENG
  • Publisher Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster
  • Publication date 2026-01-27
  • ISBN 9781982176624 / 1982176628
  • Weight 1 lbs (0.45 kg)
  • Dimensions 8.3 x 5.5 x 1.6 in (21.08 x 13.97 x 4.06 cm)
  • Themes
    • Chronological Period: 20th Century
  • Category History - U.S.

About the author

Adam Higginbotham has written for The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, Wired, GQ, and Smithsonian. He is the author of Midnight in Chernobyl, which was the winner of the William E. Colby Award and the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction, and Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space. He lives with his family in New York City.

More Copies for Sale

Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space
Stock photo: cover may vary

Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space

by Adam Higginbotham

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781982176624 / 1982176628
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$22.23
A$7.94 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster, May 2025. Trade Paperback. New. Shipping fee applies to first book, there is no additional shipping fee for addition books from our store. All of our books are in clean, readable condition (unless noted otherwise). Our books generally have a store sticker on the inside cover with our in store pricing. Being used books, some of them may have writing inside the cover. If you need more details about a certain book, you can always give us a call at 920-734-8908.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$22.23
A$7.94 Delivery to USA
Challenger
Stock photo: cover may vary

Challenger

by Higginbotham, Adam,

  • Used
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781982176624 / 1982176628
Quantity available
5
Seller
Item price
A$22.68
A$5.76 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
like new.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$22.68
A$5.76 Delivery to USA
Challenger
Stock photo: cover may vary

Challenger

by Higginbotham, Adam,

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781982176624 / 1982176628
Quantity available
5
Seller
Item price
A$24.40
A$5.76 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
new.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$24.40
A$5.76 Delivery to USA
Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space
Stock photo: cover may vary

Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space

by Higginbotham, Adam

  • Used
  • Very good
  • Paperback
Condition
Very good
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781982176624 / 1982176628
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$25.34
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster, 2026-01-27. paperback. Very Good. 5x1x8. Nice copy of this softcover. Binding tight. Covers are clean and crisp. Pages appear bright and unmarked. Ships FAST! Bringing good books to happy readers since 2002.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$25.34
Free Delivery to USA
Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space
Stock photo: cover may vary

Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space

by Adam Higginbotham

  • Used
  • Fine
  • Paperback
Condition
Excellent
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781982176624 / 1982176628
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$27.43
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster, January 2026. Trade Paperback. Fine. Looks unread.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$27.43
Free Delivery to USA
Challenger
Stock photo: cover may vary

Challenger

by Higginbotham, Adam

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781982176624 / 1982176628
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$31.76
A$8.66 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
New. New book.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$31.76
A$8.66 Delivery to USA
CHALLENGER
Stock photo: cover may vary

CHALLENGER

by HIGGINBOTHAM,ADAM

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781982176624 / 1982176628
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$31.76
A$8.23 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
pb. New. Brand New. Ships from an indie bookstore in NYC.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$31.76
A$8.23 Delivery to USA
Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space
Stock photo: cover may vary

Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space

by Higginbotham, Adam

  • New
  • Paperback
Condition
New
Binding
Paperback
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781982176624 / 1982176628
Quantity available
10
Seller
Item price
A$34.17
Free Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster, 2026-01-27. paperback. New. 5.50x1.50x8.38. Buy with confidence. Excellent Customer Service & Return policy.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$34.17
Free Delivery to USA
Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space
Stock photo: cover may vary

Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space

by Higginbotham, Adam

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781982176624 / 1982176628
Quantity available
1
Seller
Item price
A$38.62
A$5.76 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
Avid Reader Press / Simon & Schuster. New. Brand New.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$38.62
A$5.76 Delivery to USA
Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space
Stock photo: cover may vary

Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space

  • New
Condition
New
ISBN 10 / ISBN 13
9781982176624 / 1982176628
Quantity available
3
Seller
Item price
A$40.76
A$5.76 Delivery to USA

Show details

Description:
. Papeback. New.
Add to wish list
Item price
A$40.76
A$5.76 Delivery to USA