Higher, Faster, Longer: My Life in Aviation and My Quest for Spaceflight

by Wally Funk, Loretta Hall

Since she was a girl in a Superman cape jumping off the family barn and stargazing from the slopes of Taos Mountain, Wally Funk has kept going higher, faster, and longer every time she saw an opportunity.

In college, Wally soared through the aviation program, landing herself a flight instructor position after graduation. From there, she set a record in astronaut testing, which she passed with flying colors.

The scuttling of the Mercury 13 program didn’t stop Wally, who used her dreams to fuel an adventure-studded life. Traveling the world, shattering glass ceilings, and always keeping one eye on the stars, Wally relentlessly, joyfully reached higher, flew faster, and traveled longer on her way to space. For the first time in her own words, here is the stellar story of a truly unique American space pioneer.

Genres: Nonfiction, Memoir, Science, Space

272 pages, Paperback

Published January 31, 2024

Reviews

[Susan Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This memoir captures the brave and fascinating life of Wally Funk, and is chock full of adventure, travels, and pursuits in aviation & spaceflight. She's been a female pioneer, a flight instructor, a member of the Mercury 13 in 1961 (female astronauts in training) and the first female Air Safety investigator at the NTSB in 1974, among other things. The book provides interesting details and I enjoyed reading about Wally. She's full of gumption and has paved the way for other females to go into space & aviation. If only NASA had allowed Wally to train and go into space many decades ago after she had gone through all the mental & physical testing for being an astronaut. They blew it, but still she persevered and made the most of her time in the field.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A pre-space flight (recently with Bezos) autobiography by one of my heroes, Wally Funk of the Mercury 13!
All autobiographies that are “as told to” (pro writer does much of it, with the subject) seem a bit awkward, and this one is no exception. But Hall does a good job of capturing Funk’s no nonsense, plain style.
Funk broke many aviation barriers in employment on the ground as well as in the sky! Awesome to read about her varied career. And her hobby of extended global trips, often camping!
My only complaint is that the photographs are small and very poor quality-I guess the best they could do?
A quick and very enjoyable read!

[Genetta · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book showcases Wally Funk's amazing life story and her larger-than-life personality. Her adventurous spirit and positive attitude in the face of disappointment makes this a fascinating read. I'm a Wally fan for life!

[jj Grilliette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was in the format of someone speaking to me. Very interesting.

[Carol Garland · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an incredible woman.

[Emily Zbehlik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wally is a force- a must read for those interested in aviation/ aerospace & commercial space flight.

[S.G. Benson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful memoir.