The History Book Club discussion

This is the thread to discuss all aspects of Space Travel and Space Exploration and the books that focus on these topics..

Terrific to have this thread! I'll contribute when I can...cheers,

Bill

Can I offer my all time favourite book on this subject. This was one of the best non-fiction history books that I had read for some time:


by Jim Lovell

That is the one that I added in the welcome and introduction thread as an example for Bill.

I agree.

Hi, I'd like to nominate which was the first book I read on the space programme. I bought it at the Kennedy Space Centre (sic) shop some 10 years ago, and read it in a few days on my holiday in Florida inspired by seeing the place where history was made, and as a child had excited me so much when collecting cards from cereal packets.

Chaikin's book has moved me to read many more since then, and my second recommendation would be

.

It is highly readable and I was struck by the relative youth of Krantz - he was just 32 when he first took the role of Flight Director - when he had such responsibility (he is played by Ed Harris in the film Apollo 13).

So many...I read a lot about the program but it was that piqued my interest in the astronaut's description of the experience.

Geevee wrote: "Hi, I'd like to nominate which was the first book I read on the space programme. I bought it at the Kennedy Space Centre (sic) shop some 10 years ago, and read..."


Hello Geevee. I am not sure if you have introduced yourself on the welcome page but this is a requirement that the History Book Club has. My apologies if I did not see it when I was away.

But remember that we require the book cover, author's photo and author's link.

I am happy to help both you and Bill if you need any assistance; but the citation rule is not optional.

I am delighted that the bookcovers are shown; but you need to add the other two parts which mean that you have to go into the add book/author feature more than once. Use the preview button before you post and then you will be able to check to see if you have it right.

by Andrew Chaikin

Geevee, for the above book; only the bookcover and the author's link were available but that is how we have to cite this book.

by Gene Kranz

In the second case, there was also no author's photo available but here we were able to add the bookcover and the mandated author's link.

Bill, I know that I provided all of the helpful links for you and also showed you an example of one of our citations.

For your book, here is how it should be added.

by Eugene Cernan

Bill, also in your example only two out of the three mandated requirements were available so we added both of those. The author's photo is also usually added but in your case as well it was not on goodreads.

We take advantage of the powerful goodreads software which when you cite books and author's properly cross populates our entire group site and also goodreads so that these comments and posts can be searched so folks can see what you discussed about these books and authors and where on the site in terms of which threads these books are discussed. Very powerful and you can see that when adding the bookcovers, they are also listed in the right hand margin as well as are all of the authors mentioned. Everything we ask to have added is linkable and searchable. Also, we like the looks of the bookcovers and the author's photos.

I am delighted to see such interest in this area; a fascinating one and thank you Bill for the suggestion.

Bentley

I have this book sitting in my library to read one day soon (I hope); "First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong" by James R. Hansen.

by James R. Hansen

this one sounds interesting


by Mary Roach

I guess for those of us who once dreamed of being an astronaut; it would be right up our alley. Thanks Tom, that one does look like fun.

Bentley wrote: "Hello Geevee. I am not sure if you have introduced yourself on the welcome page but this is a requirement that the History Book Club has. My apologies if I did not see it when I was away."

Feeling suitably chastised :) I'll run off to the intro section right now and do that. I missed the requirement on cover plus author & photo, which differs on some of the other groups I'm on but of course will do so from here on in.

Thank you very much Geevee. We appreciate it and no need to feel chastised - these things happen and that is why the team of moderators are here. Just to help out.

Here are another two books that I have in my library that I need to get around to read soon:


by James Schefter
Review:
"Thirty years after the U.S. reached the Moon, taking a space race lead from which it would never look back, Schefter comes along to do the looking back. The author, who covered the space race for Time-Life and the Houston Chronicle, transmits colorfully and authoritatively the subtle infighting among the astronauts, the complex nature of lesser-known people like manned-flight champion Bob Gilruth, and the American leaders struggling with military, scientific and public relations concerns. Readers are transported inside the satellite where Enos the monkey becomes frustrated after an electrical malfunction, and taken to a cocktail party where the virtues of a large command center are hashed out. Schefter also gives ample scrutiny to various Russians, documenting the courage of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, the first man in space, the braggadocio of Soviet powerhouse Khrushchev and the leadership of Sergei Korolev, father of the Soviet space program. Schefter consistently waxes patriotic and at times veers into the arcane ("tumble runs rotated the pod every two seconds, throwing the astronaut inside from positive to negative g's with each rotation"), but he tells an engrossing tale filled with fascinating bits of triviaAhe describes how Alan Shepard and Bill Dana pulled a practical joke on Wally Schirra by submerging his pleasure boat. Most importantly, however, Schefter deploys an expert grasp of narrative to escalate the excitement even as he informs. His book is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to relive the historic period of the space race or for those learning about it for the first time." - Publishers Weekly

by Alan Shepard
Review:
"It's hard to believe, but most teens and people in their early twenties don't remember Americans walking on the moon. This book, written lovingly by two of the most respected astronauts in U.S. history, will remedy that. Journalists Jay Barbree and Howard Benedict organized the material, and they portray Shepard and Slayton as two close friends who shared the dream of many children of the 1960s: to fly in outer space. Sadly, Shepard, after becoming the first American in space in a mere hour's trip, developed inner ear problems that prevented him from going back, and Slayton's irregular heartbeat kept him from going at all. Meanwhile, President Kennedy escalated the space race to get a leg up on the Russians. Despite covering some of the same ground as Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff, Shepard and Slayton vividly portray the great bond uniting the original Mercury Seven. The most terrifying chapter describes the fire on the launchpad that killed three Apollo 1 astronauts, but problems on many flights (unbeknownst to TV viewers) were only solved by the skill of the astronauts as pilots. Shepard and Slayton are emphatic about environmental issues (having seen the Earth from a unique viewpoint), and Shepard's eventual moon shot is only topped by Slayton's emotional reaction to being cleared to fly the Apollo-Soyuz mission to dock with Russian cosmonauts, with whom he became fast friends." - Booklist

Thank you Aussie Rick for your adds.

Just started this by Piers Bizony

This is the first "space" book I've read away from the US and USSR's moon programmes, and it is proving enjoyable and well written for someone with little understanding of the actual science and technicalities surrounding exploration.

Written in 1998 it therefore misses the later missions, so I would welcome any recommendations to bring me up to date.

I teach HS history in the Houston, Texas area and also coach my school's UIL Social Studies team which competes each year in different academic subjects related to social studies. Last year's topic was the Space Race and so my students and I read quite a bit on the subject. We all read The Right Stuff by Thomas Wolfe, which I highly recommend. Tom Wolfe

But a lesser-known series that I found amazingly well-written was The Outward Odyssey series, which has included three books on the early days of space travel (not just the Mercury 7 but also Soviet trailblazers), the mid-60s, and then the Apollo Program (I haven't read the last in the series yet). The first two books shown below are both amazing.

by Francis French (no author photo available)

also by by Francis French (no author photo available)

Colin Burgess (no author photo available)

Craig wrote: "I teach HS history in the Houston, Texas area and also coach my school's UIL Social Studies team which competes each year in different academic subjects related to social studies. Last year's topi..."

Hi Craig,
Some interesting book there - I have on my shelf but haven't read it yet

by Francis French.

I plan to order another of Colin Burgess's books by Colin Burgess.

Have you read this by James Harford?

I always have a couple on the go in this category...just started by Michael Collinsand also by Thomas J. Kelly. From what I hear, the Collins story is one of the best telling of the tale by an astronaut, while the story of how the LM was built is suitable for someone at my level of interest (high).

Hi Bill, I'd be interested and grateful if you would let me know if feel the general but interested reader who has read a few books on the programme would find it suitable
by Thomas J. Kelly

There are three books on manned space race that I’ve read and would recommend.

1) Red Moon Rising: Sputnik and the Rivalries that Ignited the Space Age by Brzezinski, Matthew
2) Two Sides of the Moon: Our Story of the Cold War Space Race by Scott, David
3)The Right Stuff by Wolfe, Tom

Could anyone recommend a book on the history of unmanned space exploration ?

Ron, thanks for the recommendations. You appear to be new to the History Book Club and glad you are jumping in. We dohave guidelines for posting books and authors using the add book/author feature which appears above the comment box. Your suggestions should look like this:

Matthew Brzezinski
David Scott
Tom Wolfe

If you have not already done so please check out our mechanics of the board http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/2...
and post a note on the introduction thread http://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/9... so we can get to know you and formally welcome you.

Great recommendations!

Hi Geevee..I would say that is pitched appropriately if you have already read a technical account and enjoyed it...or you found the "From the Earth to the Moon" HBO mini-series' focus on Apollo 9 and the LM fascinating...if either then plunge ahead!

Awesome, Bill, thanks. Don't forget to cite the author:

Thomas J. Kelly

Bill wrote: "Hi Geevee..I would say that is pitched appropriately if you have already read a technical account and enjoyed it...or you ..."

Thanks Bill this helps - I'll look to tackle it at some stage then.

Going back to the beginning of the space race and the role of the famous (or infamous) Wernher von Braun, this book is not complimentary to the rocket engineer. A fascinating read.

Dark Side of the Moon

by Wayne Biddle

Synopsis
Written by Pulitzer Prize winner, Wayne Biddle, the book investigates the life of Wernher von Braun, his involvement in the Nazi party and the use of slave labor to build his rockets. And how much did the Truman administration cover up to make von Braun clean enough for the postwar US missile program? The author posits that the engineer stands as an archetype for many 20th century technologists who thrived under regimes of military secrecy and unlimited funds.

Very sad news being reported today with the death of Neil Armstrong at age 82. I guess it was remarkable that more than four decades after Apollo 11's milestone of July 20, 1969 we were still blessed to have Messers Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins still with us. RIP Neil Armstrong, I hope your final journey allowed you to have one last look at the cosmos and your place in history.

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/...

Yes this news is sad. He certainly lived history.

This poem seems to be appropriate.

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings,
Where never lark or eagle ever flew
And while with silent, lifting mind
I’ve trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space
Put out my hand and touched the face of God

It comes as no surprise that some very accomplished individuals and authors of a book or more sometimes write a very moving article. Today’s edition of the Augusta Chronicle carried an amazing story, which had never been revealed to the public, titled “A Magic Moment in the Life of Astronaut Neil Armstrong” by Maj. Gen. Perry Smith USAF (Ret).

During the Vietnam War the 350 American POW’s at the “Hanoi Hilton” were forbidden to communicate and sever beatings were common. In 1970 a sugar packet showing Armstrong on the moon made its way into the concentration camp, which raised the spirits of all. In 2004 Armstrong was given a tribute with 28 Medal of Honor recipients in attendance. MoH recipient Colonel Leo Thorsness USAF (Ret), who survived the beatings, presented Armstrong with a special award. Armstrong, who had been honored by many leading officials around the world, did not seek the limelight as a hero and was overcome with much emotion during this “Magic Moment”.

Because this is a History Club for books, hopefully this story will inspire others to read more about Neil Armstrong or follow writings by Maj. Gen. Perry Smith.

Perry Smith

Great post Mark - thank you. Jill - thank you for the poem.

Apollo: The Epic Journey to the Moon

by David S. Reynolds

Synopsis
Space expert David West Reynolds takes you on a historical journey through the world’s most renowned space program.

Featuring a wealth of rare photographs, artwork, and cutaway illustrations, Apollo recaptures the excitement of the USA’s journey to the moon. From the adventurous astronauts to the scientists and engineers who designed and built the state-of-the-art spacecraft, Reynolds covers every aspect of this epic voyage. Through concise description, he introduces the uninitiated to this thrilling episode in U.S. history while also providing engaging details for the space aficionado. All of the key events and personalities are presented, creating a clear picture of how we got to the moon and what happened along the way. The detailed and meticulously labeled diagrams and maps give the reader an in-depth understanding of the technology that carried the astronauts to the moon and what they accomplished while they were there. In addition, the book includes a foreword by Wally Schirra, the only astronaut to fly in all three of the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs, and an afterword by Gene Cernan, the last man to walk on the moon. Apollo: The Epic Journey to the Moon, 1963-1972 is truly the most comprehensive account of the Apollo program ever written.

John F. Kennedy and the Race to the Moon

by John M. Logsdon (no photo)

Synopsis

On May 25, 1961, President John Kennedy declared: "I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth." Over his remaining time in the White House, JFK actively involved himself in space decisions and several times reviewed his decision to go to the Moon, each time concluding that the benefits of being the leader in space outweighed the massive costs of the lunar landing enterprise. Logsdon traces the evolution of JFK's thinking and policy up until his assassination, which brought to an end his reexamination of the program's goal and schedule and his hope to collaborate, rather than compete, with the Soviet Union in going to the Moon. This study, based on extensive research in primary documents and archival interviews with key members of the Kennedy administration, is the definitive examination of John Kennedy's role in sending Americans to the Moon.

Good one, Bryan.

I just finished The Astronaut Wives Club by Lily Koppel. I'm usually not a person who writes reviews immediately after finishing the book, but this one was just too excellent! It was really inspiring to read about the space race from another point of view. I've read about the astronauts and watched documentaries about the early space program, but it was really fascinating to read what it was like for the astro wives. I can't even imagine what the stress and loss of privacy must have been like, but they handled it all with grace and style. Not sure I could have been that composed in the same situation. I highly recommend this book!

Robyn......don't forget the book citations. The book you mentioned should look like this:

by Lily Koppel

I actually just met a wife of an ex-Astronaut the other day (she lives at the same retirement center as my mom.) She mentioned this book to me although I'm not sure if she's in the book or not? Anyway, this woman was married to Al Worden who was the command module pilot for Apollo XV (which means he didn't get to actually walk on the moon, but he was one of just 24 people who have ever flown to the moon - how cool is that?)

I saw an interview on tv with the wives subject of the book. They were an impressive group and spoke of the challenges of their experience. It made me curious about the book, I may well add it to the to-read list.

by Lily Koppel

A collection of the favorite theories of those who think that the Apollo landing was something faked in a Hollywood studio. I love stuff like this!!!!

Moon Landing Conspiracy Theories

by Jesse Russell (no photo)

Synopsis:

Different Moon landing conspiracy theories claim that some or all elements of the Apollo program and the associated Moon landings were hoaxes staged by NASA and members of other organizations. Various groups and individuals have made such conspiracy claims since the end of the Apollo program in 1975. The most notable claim is that the six manned landings (1969-1972) were faked and that the Apollo astronauts did not walk on the Moon. The conspiracy theorists (henceforth conspiracists) argue that NASA and others knowingly misled the public into believing the landings happened by manufacturing, destroying, or tampering with evidence; including photos, telemetry tapes, transmissions, rock samples, and even some key witnesses.

Like so many, I can recall exactly where I was when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin stepped onto the moon's surface. (And let's not forget Michael Collins, circling above, keeping their ride home safe and ready to swoop down and rescue them should their craft fail to achieve its planned altitude after liftoff from the moon. His potential role is just one of the things that I learned in this book.) Dating myself, I was at a Boy Scout camp, watching on a black & white portable TV screen that one of the counselor
s brought along. We were outside, being eaten alive by bugs that were attracted to the light of the small screen, and I kept looking from the screen to the moon above. As a long-time science fiction geek, this moment was magic.

This book brings back some of that magic. Jay Barbree, who covered NASA's space program for NBC from it's beginning is as big a fan as I was, and captures that excitement in his words. As a biography, though, I had to mark it down a bit because he's not only a fan, but became a friend of Armstrong's - and he doesn't hesitate to reveal that. It's often more hagiography than biography at times. Still, based on interviews with many of the principal actors on this stage, it just may be that Armstrong was every bit as good, and well, a boy scout, as he appears in this book. I recently moved to Cincinnati where Armstrong lived and taught for many years, and I've met others who knew him - and they all echo some of the same praise for him.

Still, I think Barbree goes a little over the top in both his gushing, and inserting himself into the story at times. Nevertheless, It's still a great read. As the subtitle says, it's a life in flight. we don't learn much about his childhood. It picks up with his days as a pilot in the Korean War.

One last thing. All the time I was reading this book, I kept hearing a song in my head from one of my favorite singer-songwriters, John Stewart, who was a part of the Kingston Trio before launching his solo career, building a cult following. It's called "Armstrong," and was written shortly after the moon landing on July 20, 1969. I'm glad I was part of the "whole world who stopped to watch it."

Here's the only online version I could find by Stewart. It's a little distorted, but a great song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b1zde...

by Jay Barbree

What a great post Dave - keep them coming. I think a lot of people remember a lot of things like you do but they ain't telling (smile)

The only problem is that the link does not work - you might want to check it out - sometimes the pointers change - you may have to track it down and repost that segment.

That is pretty exciting.

Amazing! Great boost for the Europeans; I imagine NASA maybe did some consulting, but it was the Europeans who did a fantastic job.

That looked pretty tough. Great job.

It all started in 1957 with the launch of Sputnik by the USSR.

Sputnik: The Launch of the Space Race

by Paul Dickson

Synopsis:

On October 4, 1957 as Leave It to Beaver premiered on American television, the Soviet Union launched the first man-made object into space, an 84-kilogram satellite carrying only a radio transmitter. While Sputnik immediately shocked the world, its long-term impact was even greater, for it profoundly changed the shape of the twentieth Century.

Washington journalist Paul Dickson chronicles the dramatic events and developments leading up to and emanating from the Sputnik's launch a story that can only now be fully told with the recent release of previously classified documents. Sputnik offers a fascinating profile of the early American and Soviet space programs and a strikingly revised picture of the politics and personalities behind the facade of American's fledgling efforts to get into space.

Although Sputnik was unmanned, its story is intensely human. Sputnik owed its success to many people, from the earlier visionary Konstantin Tsiolkovsky, whose rocket theories were ahead of their time, to the Soviet spokesmen strategically positioned around the world on the day the satellite was launched, who created one of the greatest public-relations events of all time. It’s chief designer, however the brillant Sergei Korolev remained a Soviet state secret until after his death.

Equally hidden from view was the political intrigue dominating America's early space program, as the military services jockeyed for control and identity in a peacetime world. For years, former Nazi Wernher von Braun, who ran the U.S. Army's missile program, lobbied for his rocket team to be handed responsibility for the first Earth-orbiting satellite. He was outraged that Sputnik beat him and America into space. President Eisenhower, though, was secretly pleased that the Russians had launched first, because by orbiting over the United States, Sputnik established the principle of “freedom of space” that could justify the spy satellites he thought essential to monitor Soviet missile buildup. As Dickson reveals, Eisenhower was, in fact, much more a master of the Sputnik crisis than he appeared to be at the time and in subsequent accounts.

The little engine that could. The Energizer Bunny. Voyager 1 and 2 spacecrafts. All of these just keep plugging along. "The Interstellar Age" is the story of the two Voyager space probes that were launched in 1977 and are still sending data back today - even though the have left our solar system and become the first man-made objects to break into interstellar space. I well remember when the Voyagers were launched in 1977 and I followed their missions on and off over the years. Bell conjures the sense of wonder that I felt during those years. Okay, sometimes he overdoes it, which is why I didn't give the book an "A," but for some people, he might be hitting just the right level of awe.

by Jim Bell (no photo)

Thank you very much for the add Dave

Rise of the Rocket Girls: The Women Who Propelled Us, from Missiles to the Moon to Mars

by Nathalia Holt

Synopsis:

In the 1940s and 50s, when the newly minted Jet Propulsion Laboratory needed quick-thinking mathematicians to calculate velocities and plot trajectories, they didn't turn to male graduates. Rather, they recruited an elite group of young women who, with only pencil, paper, and mathematical prowess, transformed rocket design, helped bring about the first American satellites, and made the exploration of the solar system possible.

For the first time, Rise of the Rocket Girls tells the stories of these women--known as "human computers"--who broke the boundaries of both gender and science. Based on extensive research and interviews with all the living members of the team, Rise of the Rocket Girls offers a unique perspective on the role of women in science: both where we've been, and the far reaches of space to which we're heading.

Thank you for the adds Michele

NASA, SpaceX successfully launch from Kennedy Space Center

This is live coverage of Saturday's SpaceX NASA Falcon 9 launch, scheduled for 2:22 p.m. Houston time. NASA astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley were scheduled for liftoff aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. This was the second attempt for liftoff.

Link: https://youtu.be/ThOqtaHGAVw

Coverage starts around 1:59:53 so go to that location.

More:
https://www.clickorlando.com/news/loc...
https://www.ketv.com/article/spacex-l...#

NASA Astronauts Arrive at the International Space Station on SpaceX Spacecraft

After a successful launch into orbit yesterday, SpaceX’s Dragon Endeavour spacecraft is en route to dock with the International Space Station. Watch as astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley join the crew aboard our orbiting laboratory:

Link: https://youtu.be/pyNl87mXOkc

How to Astronaut: Everything You Need to Know Before Leaving Earth

by Terry Virts (no photo)

Synopsis:

Former NASA astronaut Terry Virts offers an insider's guide to astronauting—a behind-the-scenes look at the training, the basic rules, lessons, and procedures of space travel, including how to deal with a dead body in space, what it’s like to film an IMAX movie in orbit, what exactly to do when nature calls, and much more, in 50 brief chapters.