Andy Weir, the renowned author behind the blockbuster hit "Project Hail Mary," has a penchant for sharing his literary preferences with his fans. His latest recommendation comes from the realm of alternate history, a genre he admits he wasn't always a fan of. However, Mary Robinette Kowal's "The Calculating Stars" has piqued his interest, and for good reason. This book, the first in the "Lady Astronauts" series, presents a captivating alternate version of the 1950s where humanity's space program is accelerated, leading to a Mars mission by 1960. Weir's appreciation for the series stems from its high concept and scientific accuracy, blending real-life space program history with a thrilling narrative. The story begins with a meteorite strike in 1951, killing President Thomas Dewey and several key officials, thrusting Charles F. Brennan, the secretary of agriculture, into the presidency. The novel's main character, Elma York, discovers that the strike will render Earth uninhabitable, necessitating an accelerated space program to ensure humanity's survival. The series also highlights the challenges faced by women in the space program, featuring an all-female air show to drum up public support. Weir's fascination with "The Calculating Stars" is evident in his admiration for the series' attention to detail, particularly its portrayal of the late 1950s computer technology, a subgenre he dubs 'punch-card-punk.' This attention to historical accuracy, combined with a gripping plot, has earned the series a place on Weir's recommended reading list, and perhaps, a future adaptation into a blockbuster film.
