Nancy Atkinson

First off, if you're looking for a general history of the Apollo program, complete with details of all the missions and descriptions of what it's like to walk on the moon, this isn't the book you want. (I always recommend Andrew Chaikin's A Man on the Moon for that.) But if, like me, you already have a shelf of books on the subject, this makes a nice addition. It focuses primarily on some of the more technical and the "behind-the-scenes" stuff that had to happen in order to get the first human beings to the moon, including things like the design of the test facilities and the development of the communications systems. It also features reminiscences from some less commonly heard-from people who worked on the project, and lots of photos.

It is a bit dry in places, especially in the earlier chapters, but overall I did find it interesting, and while there is much in here that was fairly familiar to me after having read through that shelf full of books on the subject, there was a surprising amount that was new, as well.… (mere)

The fiftieth anniversary commemorative edition of the history of the Apollo missions brings readers more than sixty personal interviews, oral histories, and illustrations to chronicle the race to the moon. Beginning in 1962 with NASA’s newly-created manned spaceflight program through the 1969 lunar landing, the unfolding story focuses on the engineers, the mathematicians, and the scientists working behind the scenes who helped to make the lunar landing a reality.

The book also includes a commentary by astronaut Russell Schweickart, a prologue detailing the Apollo 11 lunar landing, an Acronym Reference Guide, a list of interviewees and or oral histories, and a list of films and websites. Readers with an interest in NASA’s manned spaceflight program, in Apollo 11, or in learning about the contributions of those working behind-the-scenes will find much to appreciate here.

Highly recommended.… (mere)

Looking for an Apollo 11 anniversary read that isn't astronaut-centered? Read this!

Quite a refreshing read. Too many other books on the same subject fall into telling the same stories about the same people over and over again. This book chooses to focus on individuals who worked in the space program, but have not had their stories told yet. I had heard of very few of the people highlighted here, which means I got to learn quite a bit. Hearing the story of Apollo through different voices was quite refreshing. You also learn more about just how such an audacious thing like a mission to the moon was developed and designed.

My only quibble was that I'd like more/larger photos. For a larger than average sized book, I would have expected more pictures.

One of the most unique space books in the last few years. Definitely worth a read.… (mere)