Before Armstrong took his first step, another pioneer blazed toward the stars: Ham, a young chimpanzee seized from the forests of Cameroon and trained by his devoted handler, Bradley. As the U.S. space program races toward the future, their extraordinary bond is tested in perilous experiments, culminating in Ham's harrowing journey beyond Earth's atmosphere. He becomes a living symbol of human ambition, and its staggering cost. Finally, Bradley must acknowledge the limits of compassion and takes drastic action. Inspired by real events, Ham's Heaven is a deeply moving exploration of friendship, sacrifice, and the uneasy alliance between man and animal. Named one of the best books of 2024 by Ha'aretz and best debut fiction by the radio show Under Cover, Ham's Heaven is a testament to the bonds that define us-and the quest for progress that so often divides us.
