In THE SIX, journalist Loren Grush chronicles the fascinating history of six women who were the first to be active in American space exploration.

At first, women were not even considered by NASA for roles as astronauts. Trained pilots were required, and it was assumed that women would not be sufficiently experienced or technically skilled. Criticism regarding this bias arose in the years following Neil Armstrong’s first walk on the moon, but it was dismissed, even though the Soviets already had sent a female, Valentina Tereshkova, on a space orbit. The reluctance to hire women in the space program broke down when a shuttle flight was in the works. Shuttle crews would comprise various specialties, and several women were recruited and vetted.

"This significant volume is replete with fine detail about each of the Six at home and on their space adventures."

Sally Ride, with advanced degrees that included a doctorate specializing in physics, was chosen and joined NASA’s flight crew in 1983. Following Ride would be five others breaking gender space travel barriers: biochemist Shannon Lucid, oceanographer Kathryn Sullivan, surgeon Rhea Seddon, emergency physician Anna Fisher, and electrical engineer Judith Resnik. Resnik was the first Jewish woman to fly in space and was killed in the 1986 Challenger disaster.

Each of these daring and deserving obstacle battlers is described in personal and professional detail by Grush, beginning with the incessant questioning that they received at press conferences and the often invasive publicity hounds peeking into their private lives. Every member of the Six distinguished themselves in notable ways, and all paved the way for more women and people of color to be invited on board by NASA on the ground and in the air.

Grush has a special interest in this subject matter that undoubtedly drives her intention. As the daughter of two NASA engineers, she was raised in a space science-focused atmosphere. This significant volume is replete with fine detail about each of the Six at home and on their space adventures. It is enlivened with photos of its remarkable characters, underpinned by Grush’s personal connections with those of the Six still living who cooperated in its creation, and her own clear determination that their story be known and their achievements honored.