This was an interesting and fun work of anachronism in many ways. There are a lot of fun "what ifs" for fans of space exploration and NASA History. Alternate histories are good for that.

I could write about racism in the 1950s. I could write about sexism in the 1950s. I will refrain, though, because that's all to be expected. The main character's social anxiety does seem tiringly omnipresent, but I believe that is the point. It seemed a bit much at times, but if you want to portray a person suffering from social anxiety, who has PTSD several times over, and works a high pressure job that the future of the human race probably depends on (while surrounded by racism and sexism), how could you lessen it? Usually stories gloss over the nerves of the performer, soldier, or yes test pilot. I think it took some bravery on Ms. Kowal's part to attempt this. So even when it's a bit much, it's still interesting to observe as a writing exercise.

It is a fun book. If you ever wondered "what if" about the timelines of the early space race, then you might enjoy it! If you ever looked at the social and technological history of that time and wondered if anything but aliens could have spurred us forward faster and started to bring us together, then Ms. Kowal's offering of natural disaster just might be a read you enjoy as well.