Q & A
Q. Why did you write the book?
A. I wrote the book because I had to. I had a story to tell, and I wanted people to know the truth about one of the significant events of modern history, truth that had never been fully disclosed or understood. Challenger was a parable of our times, perhaps of all times. It shows how and why tragic mistakes are made by governments and what the lessons are that can prevent such tragedies in the future.
Q. If you had to do it all over again, would you act the same way in disclosing the truth about the Challenger disaster?
A. The last thing I had in mind when I went to work for NASA was to leak critical documents to the press. I made the decision to do so because I was put in a position where conscience and duty required it. In a similar situation, I would act the same way again.
Q. How should other government employees act when confronted with circumstances similar to yours?
A. Though I try not to advise people, perhaps my book will help others see their own situations a little more clearly and thereby contribute to their ability to make wise decisions for themselves and their families.
Q. What is the most important lesson you want people to learn from your book?
A. That truth will always prevail. Truth is the most powerful force in the world. It is important that the truth be known about such historical events in order to avoid making the same mistakes again.