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Wally Funk's Race for Space
- The Extraordinary Story of a Female Aviation Pioneer
- Narrated by: Sue Nelson
- Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
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Wally Funk's Race for Space
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Summary
In 1961, Wally Funk was among the Mercury 13, the first group of American pilots to pass the ‘Women in Space’ programme. Wally sailed through a series of rigorous physical and mental tests, her scores beating many of the male candidates, including those of John Glenn, the first American in orbit. But just one week before she was due to enter the final phase of training, the programme was abruptly cancelled. A combination of politics and prejudice meant that none of the women ever flew into space. Undeterred, Wally went on to become one of America’s first female aviation inspectors and civilian flight instructors, though her dream of being an astronaut never dimmed.
In this offbeat odyssey, journalist and fellow space buff Sue Nelson travels with Wally, now approaching her 80th birthday, as she races to make her giant leap - before it’s too late. Covering their travels across the United States and Europe - taking in NASA’s mission control in Houston and Spaceport America in New Mexico, where Wally’s ride to space awaits - this is a uniquely intimate and entertaining portrait of a true aviation trailblazer.
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What listeners say about Wally Funk's Race for Space
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Avid Shopper
- 31-10-18
Wally Funk! Amazing woman
One of the best audio books about one of my heroines. clearly read and thoroughly captivating.
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- BAHAREH
- 18-11-18
what a book! amazing
The book puts you in places and make you feel the moments....I always looked forward to pick up my phone and listen...
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1 person found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Anon
- 05-04-19
Fascinating true story
A really interesting book, recounting the achievements of a wonderful female aviation pioneer. Sue is an excellent author and narrator, sharing both Wally's story and their adventures together, set in the context of other women's experiences in aviation and space flight. Highly recommended.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- HSH
- 31-01-19
Brilliant! Just that...
Wonderfully inspiring Sue Nelson tells of the amazing Wally Funk. You have my daughter hooked!
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Holly
- 05-12-18
A road trip with two brilliant women
Wally Funk could have been the first woman on the moon. We’re reminded of this often by author and science journalist Sue Nelson in this inspiring, and also intimate, audiobook. Hearing about Wally’s achievements and escapades over the years, along with other women in space science, is a wonderful thing, but what made this book so fabulous for me was the relationship between Sue and Wally: one clearly very talented woman documenting the life and ambitions of another, on a series of a adventures and road trips, all with the backdrop of Wally striving to get her rightful place in space. I want to travel with them always.
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3 people found this helpful
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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Performance5 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- T. Fulford
- 10-12-18
Outstanding good book best this year so far
I love anything to do with space and Iwould have loved to meet Wally and Sue. Gripping, funny, sad, interesting, beautfully read what else can I say? I met Helen Sharman when she came to officially open my technology centre at my school when I was the head of the department, she was the most down to earth, humble and interesting person I have ever met. I’m not surprised she was upset with the way the press treated her. She deserves, like Wally much higher praise and standing in our technological society.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Steve
- 02-07-19
A brilliant book about a brilliant woman
Where does she get her energy? Found myself really liking Wally Funk, hoping so much that she gets to experience her dream of going into space and wanting to meet her! Great insights into a fascinating world of space exploration and well read. Loved it.
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Overall5 out of 5 stars
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- Nickov
- 17-06-20
Inspiring
A wonderful tale, sympathetic and inspiring. Affectionately told, comprehensive and entertaining. Wally is a legend.
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Overall3 out of 5 stars
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Performance1 out of 5 stars
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Story5 out of 5 stars
- Ms
- 16-12-18
Great story dreadful narration
Very interesting story and great history of women in the space sector but spoilt by poor narration. Would have been greatly Improved by a professional narrator.
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1 person found this helpful