Book cover of Thread Of The Silkworm

Book description

The definitive biography of Tsien Hsue-Shen, the pioneer of the American space age who was mysteriously accused of being a communist, deported, and became,to America's continuing chagrin,the father of the Chinese missile program.

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Thread Of The Silkworm as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

Thread of the Silkworm is the definitive English-language biography of Hsue-Shen Tsien (Qián Xuésēn, 钱学森), a Chinese-born aeronautical engineer who made fundamental contributions to the early American space program including work with Theodore von Kármán and Frank Malina on establishing what is now the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Based on unproven allegations of being a Communist, the U.S. Government in 1955 deported Tsien back to China where to this day he is revered as the father of the modern Chinese space and military rocket programs (including the Silkworm anti-ship missile referenced in the title). Chang’s book was the source of…

If you love Thread Of The Silkworm...

Book cover of December on 5C4

December on 5C4 by Adam Strassberg,

Magical realism meets the magic of Christmas in this mix of Jewish, New Testament, and Santa stories–all reenacted in an urban psychiatric hospital!

On locked ward 5C4, Josh, a patient with many similarities to Jesus, is hospitalized concurrently with Nick, a patient with many similarities to Santa. The two argue…

Want books like Thread Of The Silkworm?

Our community of 13,000+ authors has personally recommended 8 books like Thread Of The Silkworm.

Browse books like Thread Of The Silkworm

Book cover of Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race
Book cover of A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts
Book cover of 747: Creating the World's First Jumbo Jet and Other Adventures from a Life in Aviation

Share your top 3 reads of 2026!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

181

readers submitted
so far, will you?

📚 If you like Thread Of The Silkworm, you might also like...

Book cover of Sexy Selfie Nation: Standing Up for Yourself in Today's Toxic, Sexist Culture

Sexy Selfie Nation by Leora Tanenbaum,

The problem is not with the actions young women take but with the toxic, sexist conditions they are responding to.

Tanenbaum found, based on six years of interviews with young people ages 14-30, that young women are navigating a culture littered with gendered dress codes, revenge porn, and sexually explicit…

Book cover of In This Together: Connecting with Your Community to Combat the Climate Crisis

In This Together by Marianne E. Krasny,

In This Together explores how we can harness our social networks to make a real impact fighting the climate crisis. Against notions of the lone environmental crusader, Marianne E. Krasny shows us the power of "network climate action"—the idea that our own ordinary acts can influence and inspire those close…

5 book lists we think you will like!