The Last Man on the Moon: Astronaut Eugene Cernan and America's Race in Space

The Last Man on the Moon: Astronaut Eugene Cernan and America's Race in Space
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An unforgettable journey through time and space

he knows, because he's been there

very good, very frank and very personal

But What Was It Really Like To Fly The Missions?

Don't miss reading this one!

The Last Man on the Moon: Astronaut Eugene Cernan and America's Race in Space
Eugene Cernan , and Donald A. Davis
Manufacturer: St. Martin's Griffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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A Man on the Moon

ASIN: 0312263511

Amazon.com

That "Geno" Cernan was commander of Apollo 17, the final manned moon mission, was a fitting conclusion to a flying career that included two previous stints in space (Gemini 9 and Apollo 10). His frank, earthy memoir of his years at NASA adds another entertaining, informative volume to the burgeoning shelf of books illuminating the inner workings of the space program and the people who made it happen. Coauthor Don Davis, a veteran journalist, helps Cernan craft a colloquial prose style that nicely captures the competitive, macho personality that seemed virtually mandatory for astronauts in the 1960s and '70s. Cernan candidly depicts the reckless streak that twice led to needless injuries jeopardizing his spot on a mission. He also acknowledges the stresses endured by his ex-spouse Barbara as she struggled to be the perfect astronaut wife--cheerful and uncomplaining for the cameras while he experienced all the fun and adventure of the job. And it sure was fun, as becomes clear in the exciting descriptions of his spacewalk from Gemini 9 and stroll around the moon from Apollo 17. Detailed accounts of each flight, including technical problems and personal tensions (particularly with Apollo 17 teammate Jack Schmitt, distrusted because he was a scientist, not a test pilot), remind readers that the space program is a human endeavor, with inevitable failures that make the triumphs that much sweeter. --Wendy Smith

Book Description

Eugene Cernan is a unique American who came of age as an astronaut during the most exciting and dangerous decade of spaceflight. His career spanned the entire Gemini and Apollo programs, from being the first person to spacewalk all the way around our world to the moment when he left man's last footprint on the Moon as commander of Apollo 17.Between those two historic events lay more adventures than an ordinary person could imagine as Cernan repeatedly put his life, his family and everything he held dear on the altar of an obsessive desire. Written with New York Times bestselling author Don Davis, this is the astronaut story never before told - about the fear, love and sacrifice demanded of the few men who dared to reach beyond the heavens for the biggest prize of all - the Moon.

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A revealing and dramatic look at the inside of the American Space Program from one of its pioneers.

Customer Reviews:

An unforgettable journey through time and space .......2007-05-04

Gene Cernan's detailed, autobiographical account of his personal and career Naval aviator, then NASA experiences, first as a Navy test pilot, then as a Gemini and two time Apollo Astronaut. A great read for those of us that missed out on the decade of the 60s space race, culminating in six successful, history making U.S. astronaut manned explorations of the Moon. Mr. Cernan's contributions toward that end were significant and certainly most memorable was his final space flight as Mission Commander of Apollo 17; the mission that began spectacularly as the only night time launch of the gargantun Saturn V rocket and ended with the last American flag, Lunar Rover and footprints left in the Tarrus Littrow Valley of the Moon in December 1972. Accounts of Dr. Rock, Harrison Schmidt, the only civilian scientist to visit the Moon, and their jubilently described 70+ hours of EVA, lunar dig sites and geological finds are lengendary. Gene Cernan and all the other astronauts of that era, both U.S. and Russian, all incredibly brave men made of the "right stuff", shall always be remembered as histories earliest spaceflight pioneers and the original explorers of the Cosmos. BRAVO!!!

he knows, because he's been there.......2007-01-07

If you want to know more about what it really took to go to the moon, this is the book you want. Written by somebody who actually made the trip, it gives you an inside in the program from every possible angle. And it makes you wonder why we didn't go back yet.

very good, very frank and very personal.......2006-12-20

Gene Cernan's memoir is among the first rank of space program books. What sets this work apart is the focus on intensely personal matters. Cernan highlights the competition for flights, with sharp comments about his colleagues and rivals. Many other astronauts get high praise, with notable exceptions, such as Buzz Aldrin. Some reviewers didn't appreciate the personal comments, whereas I felt they made the book more interesting.

There's a distinction between perhaps not liking a guy for what he says and the quality and flow of the writing, which I consider excellent. Often, it's as if Cernan were right there chatting. Even in showing some ego, Mr. Cernan also made no bones about being relatively lucky. He covers the surprise invitation to try out for the program and his surprising acceptance against stiff competition. He also admits he was in the middle of the pack in his group, and on the edge of getting a flight. If not for the deaths of Elliott See and Charlie Bassett, Cernan might be unknown. The candor is refreshing. Well, except for maybe the name dropping about big shots and Hollywood stars.

Even more surprising is the frank discussion of his marriage to Barbara, which eventually failed. I can't help but wonder what she thought of her presentation, ranging from the attractive partner to the highly skilled "astronaut wife" and on to the crushing side of being the dutiful wife. Cernan does not spare himself from blame by any means. The quote of the book may well be Barbara's: someone asked, "How do you feel about Gene going to the Moon?" She answered instantly. "If you think going to the Moon is hard, try staying home."

Cernan gives more coverage of Gemini than the typical book, with again quite a bit on speculation about crew rotations, and a strong segment on Gemini 9 and his near-fatal spacewalk. Another highlight is the opening chapter on Apollo 1 and the fire, of profound significance to Cernan as a member of the backup crew and friend and neighbor of Roger Chaffee. His pain was still there thirty years later.

Apollo 10's coverage has just the right feel, with Cernan possibly still shaking his head in recalling their near crash, "a fifteen-second lifetime during which we made about eight cartwheels above the Moon, and Tom jerked Snoopy back onto a tight leash. Ole Mumbles do know how to fly. After analyzing the data, experts surmised that we had continued spinning for only two more seconds, Tom and I would have crashed." That text again reflects the attractive conversational style.

Apollo 17 probably gets fewer pages than some readers may wish. The play-by-play of the EVAs is fairly brief, which may just as well be left to the non-memoir books. Cernan tries to spend more time on his feelings, the interactions with Schmitt, and some key moments, such as the orange soil and the broken fender.

Readers should also watch part 12 of "From the Earth to the Moon" for its segment on Apollo 17. My copy of the memoirs is signed by Cernan, Stafford, and co-author Don Davis. It's an excellent book, even unsigned!

But What Was It Really Like To Fly The Missions?.......2006-08-23

Gene Cernan is one of America's most experienced and successful astronauts. His three missions were among the most ambitious, successful and exciting of all time. He spent more time, along with partner Harrison Schmitt, than any other man walking on the moon. It was, therefore, with great disappointment that I read this book. What I expect from a book by an astronaut is to really feel and understand what the unique experiences they went through were like and what challenges-physical, mental and technical they overcame. With the notable exception of Mike Collins' autobiography almost none of the astronauts books really provide this. Only 12 men have ever stood on the moon and yet they have not really conveyed what this and other aspects of spaceflight were like in their autobiographies. He dismisses his epic Apollo 17 flight in a few pages and spends more time talking about the politics of crew selection, giving crude descriptions of his wife's figure and other trivia. Also there is a lack of illustrations showing the alien environment he explored so well. Most of the astronauts who wrote autobiographies felt they had to talk down to their audience to make the book attractive to the average reader, thus leaving out much technical information that is actually quite interesting, even for the non-technically-minded layman. The popularity of the film "Apollo 13" and the television series "From the Earth to the Moon" in which technical matters were not shied away from proves this is not true. The fact is the true intelligence and abilities of these men is measured in what they did on their space missions, not as golfers or in planning practical jokes or in celebrity namedropping. In a more positive light, he reveals for the first time the real dangers the Gemini spacewalks entailed and gives a good description of the problems Ed White encountered in Gemini 4 and his own nightmarish experience in Gemini 9.

Don't miss reading this one!.......2006-08-06

An outstanding book. Gives all the insight into the life of an astronaut in training...and
the politics that goes with the job. One of those books you can't put down. Eugene Cernan's narrative on his trips to the moon including the landing are outstanding. This book could be a #l best seller with more promotion. All the pressures that go with the job are unbelievable.

Promised the Moon: The Untold Story of the First Women in the Space Race

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Promised the Moon: The Untold Story of the First Women in the Space Race
A good canadian view
Well-written, fascinating story
An Interesting Story but a Misrepresentation of NASA
Horribly written by a novice space historian

Promised the Moon: The Untold Story of the First Women in the Space Race
Stephanie Nolen
Manufacturer: Thunder's Mouth Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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The Mercury 13: The True Story of Thirteen Women and the Dream of Space Flight
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ASIN: 1568583192

Book Description

A female world-record-setting pilot, Jerrie Cobb was recruited in 1959 to take the astronaut tests. She excelled, so the doctor who supervised the selection of NASA's Mercury astronauts recruited additional female pilots. Twelve performed exceptionally. Stephanie Nolen tracked down eleven of the surviving "Fellow Lady Astronaut Trainees" and learned the story of those early days of the space race and the disappointment when, in 1961, the women were grounded.

Customer Reviews:

Promised the Moon: The Untold Story of the First Women in the Space Race.......2007-06-14

Great read! Arrived in excellent condition and quickly

A good canadian view.......2005-10-06

Well for a canadian to begin digging into american history that might have been forgotten WOW.....You picked a good topic....
And to think a person who washed out stopped this from happening.......

Nice work....

Jonathan

Well-written, fascinating story.......2004-07-23

As a Canadian, for many years I have had the pleasure of following Ms Nolen's International journalism in the Globe and Mail, our country's national newspaper. In that same newspaper, I spotted a glowing review of "Promised the Moon" by Roberta Bondar, and it was then that I purchased the book and learned the little-known story of the Mercury 13.
Ms Nolen has certainly done her research. She has tracked down the surviving members of the Mercury 13, and told their story in such a way that even a space "layperson" such as myslef can understand the details. A fascinating, well-written piece of non-fiction by an award-winning journalist. Highly recommended.

An Interesting Story but a Misrepresentation of NASA.......2004-01-08

I am perplexed by the misrepresentation that is presented about this book by the publisher in its advertising copy. There was never a NASA program, clandestine or otherwise, to bring women into the astronaut corps in the late 1950s and early 1960s. We can debate whether or not NASA leaders should have been open to appointing women astronauts, but the reality was that such an expansion of the astronaut corps never even crossed their minds at the time. Additionally, Stephanie Nolen was not the first to "track down" and interview the women who undertook physical tests identical to those of the Mercury Seven astronauts. Margaret A. Weitekamp's work on the subject predates Nolen's research. It was first presented in a dissertation at Cornell University, and is forthcoming as "The Right Stuff: The Wrong Sex: The Lovelace Women in Space Program" from Johns Hopkins University Press in 2004. It will be the authoritative work on this subject.

In addition, the story of the "Mercury 13," as some call these women, is pretty well known in the spaceflight history community. In 1960, Dr. W. Randolph 'Randy' Lovelace II invited Geraldyn 'Jerrie' Cobb to undergo the physical fitness testing regimen that he had helped to develop to select the original U.S. astronauts, the Mercury Seven. Jerrie Cobb became the first American woman to do so, and she proved every bit as successful in the tests as had John Glenn and the other Mercury astronauts. Thereafter, Lovelace and Jerrie Cobb began to recruit more women to take the tests, totally without NASA involvement. Jacqueline Cochran, the famous American aviatrix and an old friend of Lovelace, joined their recruiting effort and volunteered to pay the testing expenses.

By the end of the summer of 1961, twenty-five women had undergone the examinations at the Lovelace Clinic in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The women came to New Mexico alone or in pairs for four days of tests. All of the women were skilled airplane pilots with commercial ratings. Most of them were recruited through the Ninety-Nines, a women pilot's organization.

Of those tested, thirteen women did exceptionally well and became known as the "First Lady Astronaut Trainees" or "Mercury 13." A few then agreed to undertake additional tests, and some believed that the further testing represented the first step allowing them to become astronauts, although there was never any intent of this on the part of NASA officials. Indeed, Mercury project managers were unaware of these tests.

When NASA officials learned about Lovelace's attempts for further tests from the Navy, which Lovelace had asked to undertake these tests at Pensacola, they told Navy flight surgeons that this was not a NASA project. The Navy then canceled the tests. Jerrie Cobb and Janey Hart (married to U.S. Senator Philip Hart of Michigan) then began a campaign in Washington, D.C. to have the testing program resumed. On the July 17-18, 1962, Representative Victor Anfuso chaired hearings of a special Subcommittee of the House Committee on Science and Astronautics about this subject. Jerrie Cobb and Janey Hart testified for the women. John Glenn, Scott Carpenter, and George Low testified for NASA that setting up a special program to train women astronauts would hamper the effort to reach the Moon by the end of the decade. This ended the hearing and no women entered the NASA astronaut corps.

When Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman in space in 1963, Clare Booth Luce published an article about the women in "Life" magazine criticizing NASA for not achieving this first. It included contemporary photos of all thirteen women. Of course, Sally Ride became the first American woman in space in 1983, and in 1995 Eileen Collins became the first woman to pilot the Space Shuttle. At Collins' invitation, eight of these women attended her launch.

In hindsight, one may criticize NASA leaders for not expanding the astronaut corps to women but there is no documentation whatsoever to suggest that there was even a consideration of doing so at the time. Perhaps John Glenn said it best when he remarked in recent years that the agency was reflective of its times. It is important to note, I think, that the first astronauts selected after the completion of Project Apollo--the class of 1978--did include women and other minorities, and therefore reflected the social changes experienced in the nation as a result of the women's movement.

Horribly written by a novice space historian.......2004-01-08

This is one of the many space history books written by someone whos only exposure to the field was in researching for this one book. The book drives one point repeatedly: at the time women were expected to stay at home with the babies and not fly in space. Anyone with knowledge of this era in American history knows this, and this is one of the only bits of actual information provided.
The author does not include dates or references where appropriate. All references are collected in alphabetical order at the end of the book--no foot or endnoting. The lack of dates is at points so great that it is easy to get lost in the timeline of the story, as most of the events of the book take place in a three year span that Nolen jumps around in.
Perhaps the most distressing thing about the book is the tone she takes when talking about NASA and the Mercury 7. At points she inserts off the cuff remarks about NASA leadership or members of the senate that called a hearing into the cancellation of the women's astronaut testing. Nolen takes the anti-NASA side saying that NASA refused to let the testing of the women continue and that they are at fault, when her own book indicates clearly that NASA never wanted the testing done in the first place and had no plans for female astronauts in the 1960's. Many at NASA were insulted, rightfully so, when a group of 13 women said they wanted to be astronauts when NASA had tested hundreds of men and only accepted seven!
Of all the space history books I have read (and I have read well over 30) this one is the worst. I highly advise not spending time on this book.

Moon Shot : The Inside Story of America's Race to the Moon

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Has its moments that are pretty good
Have a blast with this fantastic book!
Wowie Kazowie!
Good account of Apollo 14, but better overall books elsewher
highly enjoyable

Moon Shot : The Inside Story of America's Race to the Moon
Alan Shepard , Deke Slayton , Jay Barbree , and Howard Benedict
Manufacturer: Turner Pub
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Deke!: An Autobiography
The Last Man on the Moon: Astronaut Eugene Cernan and America's Race in Space
Failure is not an Option: Mission Control from Mercury to Apollo 13 and Beyond
A Man on the Moon
We Have Capture

ASIN: 1878685546

Customer Reviews:

Has its moments that are pretty good.......2006-10-29

I re-visited this book, which I read (and got autographed by Shepard) when it was new, after watching the great "From the Earth to the Moon" series again. The book has its four-star moments, but I settled for three.

The content is not particularly sophisticated, and to be honest, the competition among the Apollo books is strong. For example, books by Lovell and Cernan are both better than this one. Even so, it's worth reading by students of the space program for the additional perspective and occasion detail.

Perhaps a root problem is that the book is a mixture of autobiography and story of the space program, with the perspective of the two astronauts not given very often. When that happened effectively, the book was at its best. I liked stories such as NASA's attempt to keep secret who had gotten the first flight, Deke's grounding, Shepard's return to flight status, Apollo 14, and Deke's reaction to the Apollo 1 fire. There are several scenes like that, enough to make the book worthwhile.

In contrast, some other incidents had superfluous reference to the authors. I didn't really care that Deke and Al sort-of high-fived each other when Apollo 11 landed. Their thoughts on the end of the Apollo program or what the program really meant to them aren't really captured. Few insightful comments about the other astronauts were made (unlike Cernan's book). Many opportunities were lost.

The Apollo-Soyuz mission is presented as a relatively big deal, which it was to Deke, obviously. In reality, it was pretty meaningless, other than as an exercise in international cooperation.

Deke comes across pretty well in other books and in the "From the Earth to the Moon" series. His character shines at times here, too. Maybe some remarks by other people about Deke, besides from Shepard, would have helped convey that image. How did others feel about how Deke ran the astronaut office, which was his core contribution to the space program? You won't find that in this book.

Have a blast with this fantastic book!.......2004-03-17

I'm a typical space nut, and to me, any space book is a good space book. I read this book all in one day and I was not disappointed. It gave me a lot of information about the Russian's race to the moon, and I learned stuff that I never knew before.
The part about Slayton in Russia is particularly funny. If you don't know what I'm talking about, read this book for yourself. You won't be sorry!
The only disadvantage is that there are a lot of cuss words in it, which should have been censored out before the book was published. Oh well!

Wowie Kazowie!.......2003-06-06

This book is really great. Read it!

Good account of Apollo 14, but better overall books elsewher.......2001-05-18

I must agree somewhat with one of the early reviewers that essentially trashed this book...the only real value that I got was the detailed account of the Apollo 14 mission and , to a lesser degree, the Apollo-Soyuez mission in 1975. Shepard's "great friendship" with Deke Slayton that is gone into in almost sickening detail here is re-buked in "Deke!", a book written by Slayton alone and published at almost the same time! Even the video version (titled the same "Moonshot") is weak and you can definetly get better accounts of the program elsewhere.

highly enjoyable.......2001-04-21

Although the book is skewed toward Shepard's and Slayton's space missions (and does not cover other missions in details), I throughly enjoyed reading it. It's very touching to look at Shepard's and Slayton's emotions beind the scence and to realize the hurdles each man had to overcome. It's an inspiring story!

Two Sides of the Moon: Our Story of the Cold War Space Race

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Dueling Autobiographies
Dueling Autobiographies
The Eagle & the Bear.
Parallel evolution of two individuals during the space race
The moon race from vastly different perspectives...

Two Sides of the Moon: Our Story of the Cold War Space Race
David Scott , and Alexei Leonov
Manufacturer: Thomas Dunne Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0312308655
Release Date: 2004-09-23

Book Description

Growing up on either side of the Iron Curtain, David Scott and Alexei Leonov experienced very different childhoods but shared the same dream to fly. Excelling in every area of mental and physical agility, Scott and Leonov became elite fighter pilots and were chosen by their countries' burgeoning space programs to take part in the greatest technological race ever-to land a man on the moon. In this unique dual autobiography, astronaut Scott and cosmonaut Leonov recount their exceptional lives and careers spent on the cutting edge of science and space exploration. With each mission fraught with perilous risks, and each space program touched by tragedy, these parallel tales of adventure and heroism read like a modern-day thriller. Cutting fast between their differing recollections, this book reveals, in a very personal way, the drama of one of the most ambitious contests ever embarked on by man, set against the conflict that once held the world in suspense: the clash between Russian communism and Western democracy.Before training to be the USSR's first man on the moon, Leonov became the first man to walk in space. It was a feat that won him a place in history but almost cost him his life. A year later, in 1966, Gemini 8, with David Scott and Neil Armstrong aboard, tumbled out of control across space. Surviving against dramatic odds-a split-second decision by pilot Armstrong saved their lives-they both went on to fly their own lunar missions: Armstrong to command Apollo 11 and become the first man to walk on the moon, and Scott to perform an EVA during the Apollo 9 mission and command the most complex expedition in the history of exploration, Apollo 15. Spending three days on the moon, Scott became the seventh man to walk on its breathtaking surface. Marking a new age of USA/USSR cooperation, the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project brought Scott and Leonov together, finally ending the Cold War silence and building a friendship that would last for decades. Their courage, passion for exploration, and determination to push themselves to the limit emerge in these memoirs not only through their triumphs but also through their perseverance in times of extraordinary difficulty and danger.

Customer Reviews:

Dueling Autobiographies.......2006-11-15

"Two Sides of the Moon" is a fascinating addition to the library of any space historian, whether casual or professional. The book, written by American Astronaut Dave Scott and Soviet Cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, focuses on personal and professional struggles set within the political framework of the 1960s (and early 1970s) cold war.

Although I would have preferred more technical detail in the book, I still enjoyed it very much though more from the human interest angle. I liked the technique of alternating narratives from the American and Soviet points of view: the book was skillfully written to reveal the emotions and perceptions of both sides of the space race during key points in the race to the moon (Sputnik, the Apollo 1 fire, Apollo 11, etc.) I found both authors to be likable and appreciated their willingness to share credit with people unknown to the general public, from important organizational keys like Bill Tindall's famous (within NASA, anyway) Data Priority Meetings (and their resultant "Tindallgrams,") to the awe with which Leonov held Sergei Korolev, the Soviet Chief Designer, whose death all but dashed Soviet attempts to land on the moon prior to the Americans.

The book has an upbeat and optimistic tone, and is good-natured throughout. I enjoyed the behind the scenes trivia the pair provided. Did you know that the first animals to achieve circumlunar flight were a pair of Steppe Tortoises on the Soviet Zond-5 mission? The were recovered safe (but probably confused) in the Indian Ocean on September 17, 1968. Little known facts like this made this book a treasure for readers who traditionally focus on the more technical aspects of the missions.

The book boasts an excellent Foreword by Neil Armstrong, Scott's commander from Gemini 8. Scott gives Armstrong ceaseless praise for his judgment during the emergency they shared, and it seems clear that Armstrong holds Scott in equally high esteem.

The book is a great telling of a compelling tale. I particularly found the travails of Leonov's youth to be astounding, and admire him more after reading this book for overcoming them to become one of the great names in spaceflight. Likewise, Scott is a high achiever and role model for generations of spacefarers for generations to come. I recommend this book highly.

Dueling Autobiographies.......2006-11-15

"Two Sides of the Moon" is a fascinating addition to the library of any space historian, whether casual or professional. The book, written by American Astronaut Dave Scott and Soviet Cosmonaut Alexei Leonov, focuses on personal and professional struggles set within the political framework of the 1960s (and early 1970s) cold war.

Although I would have preferred more technical detail in the book, I still enjoyed it very much though more from the human interest angle. I liked the technique of alternating narratives from the American and Soviet points of view: the book was skillfully written to reveal the emotions and perceptions of both sides of the space race during key points in the race to the moon (Sputnik, the Apollo 1 fire, Apollo 11, etc.) I found both authors to be likable and appreciated their willingness to share credit with people unknown to the general public, from important organizational keys like Bill Tindall's famous (within NASA, anyway) Data Priority Meetings (and their resultant "Tindallgrams," page 194,) to the awe with which Leonov held Sergei Korolev, the Soviet Chief Designer, whose death all but dashed Soviet attempts to land on the moon prior to the Americans.

The book has an upbeat and optimistic tone, and is good-natured throughout. I enjoyed the behind the scenes trivia the pair provided. Did you know that the first animals to achieve circumlunar flight were a pair of Steppe Tortoises on the Soviet Zond-5 mission? The were recovered safe (but probably confused) in the Indian Ocean on September 17, 1968. Little known facts like this made this book a treasure for readers who traditionally focus on the more technical aspects of the missions.

The book boasts an excellent Foreword by Neil Armstrong, Scott's commander from Gemini 8. Scott gives Armstrong ceaseless praise for his judgment during the emergency they shared, and it seems clear that Armstrong holds Scott in equally high esteem.

The book is a great telling of a compelling tale. I particularly found the travails of Leonov's youth to be astounding, and admire him more after reading this book for overcoming them to become one of the great names in spaceflight. Likewise, Scott is a high achiever and role model for generations of spacefarers for generations to come. I recommend this book highly.

The Eagle & the Bear........2005-12-02

From all reports, the Cold War was competition between America and Russia to see who could get to the moon and win the "Space Race." Actually, it was who could design and manufacture nuclear arms to blast the other country off into space. So, this book has an odd coupling: an old Soviet astronaut, the first man to "walk in space," and a younger NASA Apollo commander who piloted Gemini 8. I watched all of those missions faithfully until the fatal explosion; after that, it was too traumatic to hear those words, "Go with throttle up."

Alexei Leonov starts with "Temperatures drop to below -50 deg. C in the small village of Listvyanka, Central Sibreia, USSR, where I was born on 30 May 1934." When he was four years old, his father was declared a subversive during the Stalin purge, so they lost everything and had to live in one room with eleven occupants.

David Scott came from a military family, born at Randolph Air Force Base in Texas, USA. Before his father became a "fighter pilot," he had an administrative job in a Hollywood film studio in California. David followed in the footsteps of his dad, acted as a technical advisre on the film, 'Apollo 13.'

These two military "commanders" from warring countries have nothing in common, except the moondance in space, as it is more an illusion. Their experiences were not even close. Granted, Leonov was the first man to "walk in space," securing a place in history. Neil Armstrong was the first man to walk on the moon in actuality; he was the commander of Apollo 11. After spending three days on the moon, David Scott became the seventh to hop around up there collecting souvenirs.

The photo sections speak a lot louder than the words. I'm not sure the average American citizen is ready to be reminded of all the personal terror and pain we endured for so long by their bullying and threats. The title should be called 'Opposite Sides on Earth," opponents to the end. You would think that, by now, USA would realize that trusting one's former enemy can backfire even in defeat.

Parallel evolution of two individuals during the space race.......2005-05-19

I bought this book just a month ago while in a business trip and I must admit that my first impression was that the book was a sort of commercial best-seller, rather hollywood-like. So I was not expecting serious really serious content. But the more I read, the more I came to the conclussion it was a really good book.

I had not the kind of tech-focused expectations of Thomas Moody (see useful review above), but I think it is serious enough for the non-tech or specialized public, whithout been arcane. It's rigorous and at the same time, very readable. A real page-turner.

I think that the book is worth the money. Provides a smart picture not only of space race but also of cold war in a wider sense, from a special and interesting point of view.

Overall, the point with the book is that it is based on two different careers and lives, wich brings a richer depiction of the evolution, both professional and personal of this two outstanding men, astronaut and cosmonaut, at the same time that their respective space programs in Soviet Union and USA.

My congratulations to the authors, the journalist, editors and all people involved in the project. A very well balanced approach on how to present the story and how to narrate it. They've got a great result.

I really enjoyed this book.

The moon race from vastly different perspectives..........2005-02-23

In his seminal work "A Man On the Moon", author Andrew Chaiken describes the quintessenal American astronaut: "Even in a pack of overachievers like the astronaut corps, David Scott stood out. He seemed to have come straight from Central Casting, a six footer with All-American good loooks and built like a decathlon champion. In some circles there was a joke that if NASA ever came out with an astronaut recruiting poster, Scott should be on it." This glowing testament and the providence of being on the most ambitious lunar mission up to that point (Apollo 15) made Dave Scott seem somewhat a hero to young Apollo-crazed 5th grade students like myself (in 1971). That feeling really never went away, so it was with great anticipation that I undertook this dual auto-biography with Alexei Leonov...and the result was mild disappointment. I suppose I expected more in-depth discussion of the technical aspects of Apollo 15 and the training for it, but got a rather pedestrian telling of that mission and the events leading up to it. True, "Two Sides of the Moon" doesn't promise to be a comprehensive account of any particular mission, rather an overlay of two perspectives of the moon race between the Soviet Union and the U.S. If looked at from that perspective, this work is a useful addition to the mountain of literature on the space race...indeed Leonov exposes much new information on the Soviet program that essentially carries this book.

Thrown together for the symbolic Apollo-Soyuz joint mission in 1975, Scott and Leonov established a shaky initial relationship that prospered following the demise of the Soviet Union and this book is the result of the many story-telling sessions that followed. From Sputnik to Gagarin's ground-breaking manned orbital mission and on to the Leonov commanded Apollo-Soyuz, the reader is treated to the beginning of the Soviet Space program, now with the perspective of over 40 years. The successes and failures were surprising revelations to me...as was the leadership and vision of Sergei Korelov, the "Chief Designer" and the true leader of the Soviet program.

The American program, certainly well documented to date, is rather blandly described by Scott...although useful discussions of Gemini 8 (Scott's first mission), Apollo 9 and of course Apollo 15 make the Scott sections worth the read. Again, when compared to Chaiken's work, Scott's first person rendering of his initial training for and prosecution of this fabulous mission lacks much verve and emotion...many humanistic tidbits, like Scott's iron command of the mission and the resulting embarrasment of the "stamp scandal" are given relatively short shrift...for that matter so to is his mission to the Appenine Mountains. Hadley Rille, Mount Hadley and Hadley Delta exploration points were argueably the most scenic and scientifically important (i.e. the Genisis rock) spots that astronauts visited on the moon, but Scott just doesn't get that emotion across. He tries, but I constantly had to reference Chaiken's book to reinforce that grandeur...a real shame.

What does work with this book however is the integration of the two stories and the disclosure of the initial cooperation between the two programs. Many readers, unaware of these details, will surely find this interesting, as did I. The post space program paths that both men took is also interesting and relevant, although some more personal details from Scott would have rounded out the story-line a little better. For example he mentions his former wife Lurton, but does not go into the cause of that break-up...was it the space program that caused it as happened with many of his peers, or something else? Sadly, one gets the impression that both men are rushed to get their story published, so these important details are left out.

Another in a long recent line of biographies of the Apollo program, this work should stand out somewhat as it gives an interesting new perspective of this well-told story. Scott and Leonov are not great story-tellers, but by combining their career stories, the reader is given a useful look at both programs...but with just a little more effort, this could have been so much better.

Angle of Attack: Harrison Storms and the Race to the Moon

Average customer rating:

Full of amusing anecdotes
A good read and very informative
Houston, we have a problem with this writer.
I Was There
A magnificent engineering obsession

Angle of Attack: Harrison Storms and the Race to the Moon
Mike Gray
Manufacturer: Penguin (Non-Classics)
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Deke!: An Autobiography
Watt's Perfect Engine
The Man Who Ran the Moon: James E. Webb, NASA, and the Secret History of Project Apollo
Stages to Saturn: A Technological History of the Apollo/Saturn Launch Vehicles
Apollo

ASIN: 014023280X

Amazon.com

Imagine a version of The Right Stuff whose protagonists are engineers rather than cocky test pilots-turned-astronauts. Author Mike Gray gives a gripping account of the men who led the North American Aviation Company through one of the largest and most daunting engineering projects in history, the development of the S-2 rocket engine, and the Apollo spacecraft. Filled both with detailed technical background and explorations of the psyches who drove--and were sometimes crushed by--the race to the moon, Angle of Attack offers a captivating look at the monumental accomplishments of a bygone era.

Customer Reviews:

Full of amusing anecdotes.......2007-05-08

Great introductory overview of the engineering that got Apollo to the moon. A lot of the issues are only summarized and retold in sound-bite-sized anecdotes, but at 300 pages, the book isn't meant to be much more. Very enjoyable read.

A good read and very informative.......2006-01-29

Well, when I first got this book about ten years ago, I heard there was controversy related to it. After reading other accounts about Apollo and NAA's involvement after reading this book, I am pretty certain this book is accurate in its portrayal and doesn't make any deliberate attempt to slant history. The author might be guilty of being a bit over enthusiastic about the point he's trying to make, but thats all. It certainly isn't a boring read.

It should be interesting to note as well that elements from this book were used in the Apollo 1 episode of "From the Earth to the Moon" as the episode focused rather heavily on NAA's involvement in the fire investigation. But, it is possible Mark Gray had an involvement with the writing of that episode as well as this book, given his history in Hollywood. Another thing worth noting as well is that Penguin Books also published "A Man on the Moon" by Andrew Chaikin.

In any event, "Angle of Attack" is a good read IMHO. The technical challenges listed for the development of the Apollo CSM and S-II rocket stage are a fascinating read and easy to understand. It also helps to reveal that not all the changes made to the Apollo Block 2 spacecraft which flew to the Moon were made after the fire as this is something that tends to be glossed over by media accounts of the post Apollo 1 time period. The media also tends to focus on NAA not using any of the work done on Gemini in Apollo spacecraft design when in reality both Gemini and Apollo were essentially two programs done in parallel and there wasn't all that much that could be transferred from one program to the other.

Probably the best benefit I got from reading this book was it gave me an inside account of what a company went through in the 1960s to get contracts to build hardware for the Moon flights and then going about building that hardware. You've got the back and forth disagreements with NASA, the efforts undertaken to get the contracts, the tests that went wrong as well as those that went right and other interesting glimpses into an extraordinary time. It all worked out in the end though and it took a lot of talent to get men on the moon by the summer of 1969.

But I wouldn't use it as your only reference of the Apollo program. The moon program was very big, and it can't really be fully explained in one book. This is just one part of the story.

Houston, we have a problem with this writer........2005-08-31

I am in complete agreement with the reader who made those rude comments back in December 1997: for anyone who likes good prose, 'Angle of Attack' is a shocker, obviously a pathetic attempt to imitate Tom Wolfe's 'The Right Stuff', but without the wit. To put it simply, the writing is crap. I've read that Mike Gray is a Hollywood script writer-hack: what did he write, 'Pearl Harbour'? 'Independence Day'? 'Dude, Where's My Capsule?'?

The Apollo project was an extraordinary period in technological history, but this gung-ho and adolescent garbage does the project and its people a disservice.

Perhaps only aerospace engineers are tough enough to endure the pain this book induces. Stay away from Houston, Mike.

I Was There.......2005-08-05

I don't intend to write a long analytical review like some already posted. I just want to say that I was there at NAA as a young engineer during the period covered by this book. I absolutely loved the book. I couldn't put it down and wanted it to never end. To those critics who ask "Is it really true?", I can only say that those parts that covered events that I witnessed personally are uncannily in sync with my recollections. What an adventure it was! I don't think we could do it again, in today's environment, even with twice as much budget and time.

A magnificent engineering obsession.......2005-03-30

A very worthwhile book for engineers, project managers
and people who want to understand the challenges
those people face. It is very readable and intensely
interesting.

Engineers and others with project experience will
recognize this book has the "ring of truth".

The Apollo project had a number of extremes that the
book explains well, such as:
balancing design goals such as light weight and strength
building on a bigger scale than had been done before
going someplace that had only been a dream before
working incredible numbers of hours

Some people complained this book was not a footnoted history.
Good thing it isn't that boring.
Others complained that it ignored someone else's experience.
They should write another book and hope it is half as good.

Chariots for Apollo: Untold Story Behind the Race to the Moon

Average customer rating:

Chariots for Apollo - The Making of the Lunar Module
The authors know the value of human drama
The Best "Untold Story" About the Space Race
An incredible story well told...
Fantastic, but needs a title change

Chariots for Apollo: Untold Story Behind the Race to the Moon
Joshua Stoff , and Charles R. Pellegrino
Manufacturer: Quill
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Similar Items:

Rocketman : Astronaut Pete Conrad's Incredible Ride to the Moon and Beyond
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Virtual LM: A Pictorial Essay of the Engineering and Construction of the Apollo Lunar Module: Apogee Books Space Series 47 (Apogee Books Space Series)

ASIN: 0380802619
Release Date: 1999-06-08

Book Description

It began in the depths of the Cold War, with two nations hurtling steel chariots into the atmosphere, each vowing to be the first to the moon.Then, in 1961, John F. Kennedy challenged America -- and from Long Island to Cape Canaveral, Houston to Huntsville, an army of engineers, scientists, bureaucrats and astronauts were swept up into the effort. Somehow, America would put a man on the moon's surface and bring him back safely before the decade was over. But how?

For eight frantic years the engineers would design and redesign, the scientists would argue, and brave men would trust their lives to virtually untested machinery. This dramatic chronicle of the race to the moon takes us behind the scenes of this awesome quest, into the minds of the people whose lives were devoted to it and changed by it, and through the missions themselves -- including the tragedy of Apollo 13. A riveting portrait of ingenuity, determination, and raw human courage, Chariots for Apollo is the powerful story of how one society came together to reach its goal -- a quarter of a million miles away.

Customer Reviews:

Chariots for Apollo - The Making of the Lunar Module.......2002-06-05

This is a great book that is actually a perfect complement for the newly released 'Moon Lander' by Thomas Kelly.

I discovered this gem as originally released in 1985. The descriptions of subsequent releases have downplayed the fact that this is truly the story about building, testing, flying and living in the LEM.

It's great for spaceflight enthusiasts interested in Grumman's development of the LEM. Lots of great detail and drama.
I'd recommend for those who enjoy the NASA Mission Reports series.

The authors know the value of human drama.......2002-02-19

and don't shy away from infusing their history of the Lunar Module with emotion. I read this book years ago when the a subtitle prepared me for its "limited" scope. This is popular history, not academia, and hence it's a marvelous read. For anyone interested in the history of space exploration, this makes a fun summertime "beach book."

The Best "Untold Story" About the Space Race.......2002-01-31

The awe-inspiring successes of the Apollo program have unfortunately served to hide the tireless efforts of the armies of technicians that made it happen. "Chariots for Apollo" serves to correct that oversight. The Grumman "Iron Works" on Long Island, NY was home to the astounding Lunar Excursion Module, the world's first (and still only) true manned "spacecraft", and this is the unabridged story of how it came to be.

Although many books about the space program trumpet its triumphs, the costly human side of this colossal technological initiative, the ultimate goal of which was to beat the Soviets to the moon, is revealed here. In reading this book, one gets a palpable sense of the almost unbelieveable stresses borne by the bold scientists and engineers who took this monster on and made the dream a reality, and that their staggering achievements were not without penalty in human lives. The book pulls no punches in discussing the psychological costs to those involved in terms of broken families, alcoholism, suicide, and even cases where people literally died of exhaustion.

Interesting, easy-to-read technical anecdotes about how the the most revolutionary craft since the Wright Flyer was made, and how huge technical obstacles were surmounted with ingenuity, will interest and at times amuse the reader. In sum, the book covers both the technical and the personal well, but doesn't overwhelm with jargon, and leaves the reader feeling a glow of pride in their achievement. Highly recommended.

An incredible story well told..........2001-07-29

There are countless books chronicling the race to the moon and the triumphs of the Apollo program. Most of them are well worth reading too. Chariots sets itself apart though. Rather than celebrating the astronauts, or even the flight controllers and ground crews, Chariots goes behind the scenes at Grumman Aerospace Corporation, the company that won the contract to build the Lunar Module (LM). The reader sees firsthand the technical and engineering mountains that had to be scaled in order to make the moon landing possible. It's an incredible story full of pitfalls, heartbreaks (and a few heart attacks), breakthroughs, divorces and happy endings. Building the first (and so far only) spacecraft designed to land human beings on another world presented engineering challenges that had never been considered before, and Grumman rose to the challenge. An indispensable book for any amateur historian of the space age.

Fantastic, but needs a title change.......2001-02-02

Many, many fascinating details about the world's first true spaceship - the Apollo Lunar Module. This book is simply full of historical events described nowhere else, and anyone who has seen the Tom Hanks mini-series, "From the Earth to the Moon" can see exactly where all the Tom Kelly and John Houbolt dialogue came from in the Lunar Module episode. Strangely, "Chariots" teaches everything one needs to know about the basic principles of rocket science and even orbital mechanics - the first book I know of ever to do this in such visual, poetic language. Yet above all else, this is a book about the men and women who actually built the ship, entirely by hand, like a Stradivarius violin. It is a surprisingly human account and I think it will move readers to laughter and even to tears, even if they come to the story with very little interest in rockets and space. My only nit, like that of other readers, is that while "Chariots" is indeed a completely untold story, the title fails to suggest exactly what that story is. I would probably knock off a star if not for the fact that I know one of the authors (Stoff), who told me that the original sub-title, "The Making of the Lunar Module," went out to market correctly and actually saw print in the first edition - but that on the way to paperback, marketing people gave it a more broad-based sub-title, actually against the authors' will. I guess writers don't have as much control over their books as we think they do.

Average customer rating:

An amazing work!
It is back in print...
Apollo: The Race to the Moon
Stunning
THE Definitive book on the Apollo program...

Apollo: The Race to the Moon
Charles Murray , and Catherine Bly Cox
Manufacturer: Simon & Schuster
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0671611011

Customer Reviews:

An amazing work!.......2005-08-11

Reading another review, In which the reviewer states that he has to hide his copy from himself, I had to chuckle. This is the first book I can ever remember finishing, and then immediately flipping back to page one and starting all over again. Not only is the story an absolute stunner, in which some of the brightest and most engaged minds of a generation are swept into a whirlwind of impossible problems, which all have to be solved yesterday, but it is also made even more amazing by the fact that it is true. As if it weren't enough to start with such great material, the authors weave a terrific web in which all parts of the story are brought together, and the people involved are shown to be real people.

After reading this book, I would highly recommend watching "Apollo 13, to the Edge and Beyond", to see the faces and hear the voices of some of the extraordinary people whose stories appear in this truly excellent book.

It is back in print..........2004-10-21

There are also audio files, and lots of extra pictures not included in the book at their website, where you can also buy the book.

You can get more information at http://www.apollostory.com/

Apollo: The Race to the Moon.......2003-12-16

Perhaps saying this is the best book I've ever read is too much (although, honestly, it just might be the best), but I will say it is my favorite, including fiction works. I've read it six times, after which I had to hide it from myself. If I walk by my copy and just happen to pick it up to thumb through I'll read it again.
Many non-fiction books tend to become tangential, or will leave the reader wondering if anyone involved with the project ever heard of an editor. Not this book. There is scarcely a wasted word or waver in direction, to the point that even the footnotes are worthy.
The authors' pacing of the story and placement of the material and concepts are unsurpassed in my experience. They create a genuine excitement in the reader.
It's a mystery why the book has never been reissued, which has driven up the price of existing copies and so reduced access to such an enticing and, in my opinion, needed history. I would very much like to see the BBC or Tom Hanks latch on to this story -- it's worth a twelve-part series.
Update, 9-19-04 - I have learned from the most reliable source this book has been reissued. Go to www.apollostory.com for details.

Stunning.......2001-11-04

I've read most of the other "space" books and this one is the best by far. Most of these books are written from the astronaut's point of view, and while this is an exciting and interesting view point, it's pretty clear that there are thousands of people working behind the scenes for each astronaut out doing his job (his - this is Apollo - all of them were men).

After reading "Apollo" I have a new understanding for the amount of effort and love that went into the creation of the Apollo program. The men and women who helped put a man on the moon are every bit the heroes as the 12 who stood on the surface (as well as the seven, the nine, etc.).

If you really want to understand how America put a man on the moon, this is the book to read. After you finish, go back and watch Tom Hanks' "From the Earth to the Moon."

THE Definitive book on the Apollo program..........2001-04-27

This book is the true "diamond-in-the-rough". With so many re-issues of material from the manned space program and specifically Apollo, it's hard to imagine that this book isn't re-issued again and again! This book (along with Andrew Chaiken's Man on the Moon and Jim Lovell's Lost Moon) is by far the definitive account of the Apollo program. Not just a re-gurgitation of the Apollo history, this story is told from a Flight Controller/Engineering perspective and gives a truer picture of what the early and subsequent days of the program were like. Here, Apollo Program Manager Joe Shea comes alive and is portrayed as an heroic/brilliant manager, not the villian of the Apollo 1 fire as in other accounts. You're down in the "trench" in Mission Control for not only the Apollo 11 Moon landing, but also for the lesser known Apollo 6, the ill-fated second un-manned launch of the Saturn V. It may be hard to find this book, but the effort is well worth it...one of the top 5 books that I've ever read.

Average customer rating:

19 girls and me
A Delightful Story About Friendship
19 Girls and Me + Me + My Daughter = FUN!
excellent picture book
Clever story - wonderful illustrations

19 Girls and Me
Darcy Pattison
Manufacturer: Philomel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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Searching for Oliver K. Woodman
The Journey of Oliver K. Woodman
Max's Words
Adele & Simon
Book Fair Day

ASIN: 0399243364

Book Description

John Hercules Po's kindergarten class is made up of 19 girls . . . and him. His older brother warns him not to let all those girls turn him into a sissy, but as John Hercules Po discovers, he needn't worry. As he and the girls let their imaginations run wild during recess, they end up digging all the way to The Great Wall of China, floating on the Amazon river, singing to the Man on the Moon, and racing a car 600 miles per hour.

So . . . 19 girls and 1 lone boy? Nope, even better—20 good friends.

By the acclaimed author of The Journey of Oliver K.Woodman and the illustrator of Bedtime! comes this delightful story that parents will adore just as much as their children.

Customer Reviews:

19 girls and me.......2007-06-08

This book was read to elementary students grades k-6, every one of the students loved this book and requested it be read again the very next week. We discussed the pictures (first gray and then color when playing and at the end), the connections with siblings and finally friendships. I highly recommend this book.

A Delightful Story About Friendship.......2007-01-01

19 Girls and Me is a story of a kindergartener named John Hercules Po who finds himself in a class of nineteen girls. He is the only boy. His brother worries that he will become "sissified" from playing with all of those girls. In the end, everybody realizes that playing together can be a lot of fun.

19 Girls and Me is a delightful story that shows kids that it is okay for girls and boys to play together. Girls won't become tomboys just because they are playing with boys, and boys won't become sissies just because they are playing with girls. Everyone can get along and have a good time.

My five-year-old daughter likes this story. She also enjoys looking at all of the details in Steven Salerno's playful illustrations.

19 Girls and Me + Me + My Daughter = FUN!.......2006-12-19

I love this book for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that my daughter, in first grade, totally digs the story of John Hercules Po and his adventures with his 19 friends in Mrs. Ray's Kindergarten--19 friends who just happen to be GIRLS! The repetition is fun, and the imaginative adventures that the kids think up delight both of us! I've already taken the book to school twice and read it in a few different classes, and the kids eyes are big--and their smiles are bigger--as I regale them with the developing friendship between John Hercules Po and his 19 new friends! The book imparts an excellent message without clobbering the reader over the head with it--nicely done! Salerno's illustrations add to the fun!

excellent picture book.......2006-10-31

19 Girls and Me is a story for both girls and boys. Kids will enjoy reading about the wonderful adventures John Hercules Po and his new friends have at recess each day. In addition to a great story, there are glimpses into places around the world that may teach kids a thing or two. This is a book that kids will enjoy again and again.

Clever story - wonderful illustrations.......2006-09-30

John Hercules Po - can his name get any better? John Hercules has a great imagination and takes his all-female classmates on wonderful adventures during recess. But playing with girls can elicit name-calling from brothers. This is a very enjoyable ride of a picture book with a satisfying ending and illustrations that lushly depict the imaginary world while the real world of school remains dull and drab. Great for entering kindergarteners, early grades and a definite read over and over book!

Spacebusters: The Race to the Moon (DK Readers: Level 3 (Sagebrush))

Average customer rating:

Alan's Greatest Book Ever

Spacebusters: The Race to the Moon (DK Readers: Level 3 (Sagebrush))
Philip Wilkinson
Manufacturer: Tandem Library
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: School & Library Binding

General | Ages 4-8 | Children's Books | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0613087917

Book Description

The 48-page Level 3 books, designed for children who can read on their own, contain more complex sentence structure and more detail. Young readers will devour these kid-friendly titles, which cover high-interest topics such as sharks, and the Bermuda Triangle, as well as classics like Aladdin. Information boxes highlight historical references, trivia, pronunciation, and other facts about words and names mentioned. Averaging 2,400 to 2,800 words, these books offer a 50/50 picture-to-text ratio. The Dorling Kindersley Readers combine an enticing visual layout with high-interest, easy-to-read stories to captivate and delight young bookworms who are just getting started. Written by leading children's authors and compiled in consultation with literacy experts, these engaging books build reader confidence along with a lifelong appreciation for nonfiction, classic stories, and biographies. There is a DK Reader to interest every child at every level, from preschool to grade 4.

Customer Reviews:

Alan's Greatest Book Ever.......2002-10-17

Alan's Greatest Book Ever
October 10,2002

Book Description

This fascinating book tells, in concise text and abundant illustrations, the story of the fifty-year struggle for dominion of outer space between the United States and the Soviet Union.

The companion volume to a new permanent exhibition at the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum, "Space Race" examines the spectacular, publicly celebrated milestones of the first steps into space, as well as highly secret efforts to spy on adversaries from high above the Earth. More than one hundred photographs document technological advances in spacecraft, spacesuits, and surveillance equipment, while also telling the human story of space flight with pictures of astronauts, notes on their record-breaking journeys, and reproductions of engineers' first thumbnail sketches and rough outlines of what would become state-of-the-art rocketry.

120 pages, 68 color and 34 black-and-white photos. Smythe-sewn paperbound book, with flaps. Size: 8 1/2 x 11".

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Photographic Survey of the Space Race.......2001-06-06

This relatively short book, a little more than a 100 pages, presents the US-USSR space race in high quality pictures with a small amount of accompanying text. Some of the pictures are the classic photographs from the space race; however, most of the photographs have rarely been publishing and even then only in specialized publications. There is a great presentation of Russian documents and hardware.

The book opens with a section on the German development of the V-2, the race to be the first country to place satellite in orbit, and the development of each countries ICBM arsenal. The next section, which covers more than half the book, is devoted to the race to the moon. This section also contains a great deal about the Russian moon program and has some really nice photographs of the Russian Moon Rocket, the N-1. The final section of the book covers spying from space.

While I doubt this book contains any real new information, the many highly photographs, especially of the Russian hardware, makes this book well worth its price.

Space Race in Pictures.......2001-05-31

This relatively short book, a little more than a 100 pages, presents the US-USSR space race in high quality pictures with a small amount of accompanying text. Some of the pictures are the classic photographs from the space race; however, most of the photographs have rarely been published and even then only in specialized publications. There is a great presentation of Russian documents and hardware.

While I doubt this book contains any real new information, the many high quality photographs, especially of the Russian hardware, makes this book well worth its price.

Great book featuring awesome photos.......2000-10-07

Space Race offers the casual reader a glimpse of the "space race" from its humble beginnings to the triumphant landing on the moon.

Many of the photos presented in the book have never before been published before.

I bought this book for my collection of other books on astronomy, space exploration, etc.

I have not regretted my decision.

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