Richard Paul and Steven Moss profile ten pioneer African American space workers whose stories illustrate the role NASA and the space program played in promoting civil rights. They recount how these technicians, mathematicians, engineers, and an astronaut candidate surmounted barriers to move, in some cases literally, from the cotton fields to the launching pad. The authors vividly describe what it was like to be the sole African American in a NASA work group and how these brave and determined men also helped to transform Southern society by integrating colleges, patenting new inventions, holding elective office, and reviving and governing defunct towns.

A man of firsts: Julius Montgomery -- "There was a lot of history there": Theodis Ray -- Stronger than steel: Frank Crossley -- Dixie's role in the Space Age -- First of race in space: Ed Dwight -- The view from space: George Carruthers -- "Huntsville, it has always been unique": Delano Hyder and Richard Hall -- The country spartacus: Clyde Foster -- Water walkers: Morgan Watson and George Bourda -- Conclusion -- Appendix: Relevant census numbers on employed professional and skilled labor for NASA host states.