On this page: In the Shadow of the Moon: A Challenging Journey to Tranquility, 1965-1969 (Outward Odyssey: A People's History of Spaceflight): A Challenging Journey ... Odyssey: A People's History of Spaceflight) Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut's Journeys Moondust: In Search of the Men Who Fell to Earth A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts Full Moon Into That Silent Sea: Trailblazers of the Space Era, 1961-1965 (Outward Odyssey: A People's History of Spaceflight) How Apollo Flew to the Moon (Springer-Praxis Books) Dark Side of the Moon: The Magnificent Madness of the American Lunar Quest Spaceflight: The Complete Story from Sputnik to Shuttle - and Beyond The Last Man on the Moon In the Shadow of the Moon: A Challenging Journey to Tranquility, 1965-1969 (Outward Odyssey: A People's History of Spaceflight): A Challenging Journey ... Odyssey: A People's History of Spaceflight) Colin Burgess, Francis French Hardcover University of Nebraska Press 15 October, 2007 Amazon price*: £14.49 (list price £15.99) Used price*: £10.45 More Info & Buy Online Review: Great book! (5/5) I have now read both 'Into that Silent Sea' and ' In the Shadow of the Moon'. Undoubtedly the pair represent an opus magnum, especially as they are given added authority by the comments of the participants in the early attempts to conquer space. The detailed accounts of the flights and the biographies of the crews are clearly the result of deep research by the authors over, it seems, a period of decades. I must presume that those readers, who know an infinite amount about the subject more than I do, will identify and vouch for the authenticity of the data, which I am completely unable to attempt. The two volumes are therefore a historical landmark for future generations similar to our seeking sources of the current affairs in the time of the Venerable Bede. Until now the names that have been mentioned to me in the past have meant as much to me as the characters in the books by Tolkein, no book or film of whom I have ever read or seen. I now, however, have two volumes of carefully compiled references, to which I can turn to mitigate my almost complete ignorance of the space race. I must confess, for people of my vintage and background, it is not easy simply to pick up either volume and readily comprehend the intricate demands on the creators of the spacecraft and on the crews. For those among you who have a deep knowledge of the subject, the resolving of the technical problems and the remarkable courage of the crews will be a constant fascination, of which you will undoubtedly always wish to recall. Within my orbit of knowledge, I can honestly comment that the books are very well and clearly written and the subject matter has been compiled in a most orderly manner. At no time did I have to wonder how the next aspect followed on from the former; so even a complete novice to the material as myself could follow the trend, objectives and development of the technical programme and the building of the physical capabilities, experience and knowledge of the crews. In short I heartily congratulate the authors on their dedicated research and your concentrated application to write two profoundly authentic volumes of the space programmes over a most critical early period of eight years. Review: A must read (5/5) What authors French and Burgess have managed to accomplish with their book "In the Shadow of the Moon" is a sense of being there. This book transcends a third-party recounting of events. French and Burgess have created an extraordinary interface between the reader and the people sharing their stories. "In the Shadow of the Moon" does an exquisite job of bringing us into the fold, allowing a rather personal access to these astronauts' lives and innermost thoughts: helping us to better understand an experience we will never have ourselves. The authors' skillful marriage of informing and storytelling help to ensure that it is a book that will be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of their interest level in space history. The authors did an excellent job of introducing background information on a mission, and then following it up with personal interpretation by someone who was there. The authors' thorough research is apparent, but it is woven so well with the narrative that it allows the reader to simply take it in, absorbing it effortlessly. By writing this book, French and Burgess share with humanity that which few have experienced. But more than that, they help us all understand a little better the magnitude of our venture into space: the accomplishments of the few, holding meaning for us all. Review: A unique view of manned spaceflight (5/5) French and Burgess have written yet another excellent book. In this latest, they bring to light the lives and stories of the lesser-known astronauts and cosmonauts as well as others participating in those early years. Rather than stressing the different country's programs, the authors tell the stories of Earth's early space endeavors. The indepth stories of Russia's early space program and those who flew were fascinating. The report of the Apollo 1 crew and the fire was accurate and thorough. I was especially pleased to see how well they brought the story of Roger Chaffee, who was the newest and youngest (at that time) astronaut, to light. Few know that Roger was still two weeks short of his 32nd birthday that terrible, fatal night and yet had accomplished so much in his naval career and in his influence on the space program. French and Burgess bring the history of space flight to life. I eagerly await another exceptional book from these authors. Kate Cooper, Apollo 1 Memorial Foundation Carrying the Fire: An Astronaut's Journeys Michael Collins, Charles Lindbergh Paperback Cooper Square Press 28 June, 2001 Amazon price*: £10.27 (list price £10.27) Used price*: £11.90 More Info & Buy Online Review: Engaging and readable by someone who was there... (5/5) I have read many books on the Apollo program, and agree with other reviewers that this is one of the best. If you want detail on every mission then consider Andrew Chaikin's "A man on the Moon". But he cannot match Mike Collin's style, which is supremely light and easy to read, (in a good way!). Technical aspects are handled in a way that is clear and easy to understand, and a joy to read. The obvious questions (How do you go to the toilet? Were you lonely? Were you afraid?) are handled in a way that lets the less knowledgable reader know, without ever being in danger of boring the more advanced. He does not duck difficult questions, (such as which astronauts were difficult to work with), but it never gets in the way of the writing. If you want to know what it was like to be an astronaut at the centre of the Apollo program, this book is perfect. If he had not chosen a career as an astronaut MC could have had a fine career as a professional writer. Review: Simply the best (5/5) I first read (and re-read) 'Carrying the Fire' as a teenager and enjoyed it immensely. As an adult I continue to enjoy it even more. Well written, easy to read and understand, it is simply the best of the genre. Add this to your collection, you will not be disappointed. Review: Remembering America's finest hour (4/5) Any cognizant member of the human race can answer a question that begins "Where were you when ...?" The memorable event is largely defined by nationality, culture and interests. For instance I recollect where I was when JFK was shot, when the Berlin Wall came down, and when the WTC towers were destroyed. On the other hand, I can't say the same about when John Lennon was shot or when Princess Di was killed. With millions of others worldwide, I remember that day in July 1969 when one of our species first set foot on another world and our planet figuratively held its breath to watch and listen. We shall not again see that degree of universal interest until, perhaps, there's a manned Mars mission. There were Armstrong and Aldrin on the Moon's surface, of course. But who was the guy left orbiting in the Command Module? CARRYING THE FIRE is by Michael Collins, the poor devil left behind while his two colleagues rocketed off to most of the glory. In his book, Collins provides a narrative history of his time in the U.S. Air Force from his early days as a test pilot at the Edwards and Nellis test centers in the California desert, to his selection as a NASA astronaut (on his second application), to the training for and flight of Gemini 10, and finishing with Apollo 11 and the effects of that mission on his subsequent life. CARRYING THE FIRE is a solid, relatively dead-pan, and competently written look at America's astronaut training and the experience of being "in space", or at least to the degree experienced by the author. Spending his adult life as an engineering test pilot, surely the most glamorous job for a techno-nerd type, it's to Michael's credit that he's penned a book as readable as this. During those later chapters in which he shares the Apollo 11 experience, the volume nearly becomes one that is difficult to put down. Not quite, but almost. "That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind" has always struck me as one of the least inspiring famous lines ever spoken. Jeez, who wrote Armstrong's material? (It's so inane that I can't even find the full text of the statement in the edition of LIFE magazine issued to commemorate the event, so maybe I have it wrong.) I only mention this because what was very evident in Michael's narrative was the drabness of the non-technical communications among the Apollo 11 astronauts themselves and between them and Mission Control, as least as recorded for posterity by the author. Even the banter falls flat. Perhaps this is a factor of the no-nonsense, test pilot approach to business, or perhaps it was an effort by NASA to keep it appropriate for family listening. It didn't sound like our three heroes had much fun. To be fair, however, there is one photo in CARRYING THE FIRE captioned "Do you see what I see?" that perhaps gives evidence to a Collins sense of humor after all. For anyone wishing to know more about that day almost 38 years ago - gosh, has it been that long? - when America stood taller and prouder than any day before or since, then I recommend this book. Moondust: In Search of the Men Who Fell to Earth Andrew Smith Paperback Bloomsbury Publishing PLC 06 January, 2006 Amazon price*: £6.99 (list price £8.99) Used price*: £0.01 More Info & Buy Online Review: Doesn't every product appeal to a different market? (5/5) This book appealed to me straight away, dealing with a subject that I have long been fascinated in- Man landing on the moon- but that I have not yet had the inclination to wonder about any further than the fact that this amazing event happened 5 years before I was born (my wife would debate this latter point, but anyway. . .) Therefore I would have to say that, with the added concept of interviewing the last remaining humans to have walked upon another celestial body (literally a dying breed), I enjoyed this book like no other I have read in a long time. The writers style is relaxed, he injects just enough technical detail into his writing to make you want to find out more and I think it was great to have his own experiences linked to the unfolding story of Mankinds greatest achievement. Overall, a triumph. The wife even read it after me. . . Review: Houston, we have a problem. (3/5) Despite a stellar launch describing the agonising suspense of the first moon landing, Moondust soon plummets disappointingly back to earth. Awkwardly caught between biography and travelogue and between accurate description and personal reflection, Andrew Smith's first book suffers from the same lack of direction that has evidently plagued the space programme in recent decades. Putting aside the occasionally sloppy writing style, tricky phrasings and an irritating "I would later discover..." narrative device, Moondust has the feel of a distended "Where are they now?" magazine article, which may be an inevitable consequence of Smith's journalistic background. Sadly, many of the interesting observations, reflections and revelations in this account are second-hand - borrowed honestly from third-party sources, the masses of existing literature on this well-trodden subject, and rarely from the nine surviving moonwalkers themselves. Nevertheless, the informality of this book may appeal to those who cannot stomach a more factual analysis of the Apollo programme - Smith's hazy recollection of his childhood and an ongoing commentary on the political situation of America in the late 1960's certainly sets the scene for mankind's `giant leap' into the unknown. As this is forced to prop up an increasingly skimpy collection of anecdotes from each astronaut however - not to mention a disappointing no-show from the elusive Neil Armstrong - one cannot help wondering whether other accounts of the moon landings (many of which Smith teasingly references) would provide a more fulfilling exposition of this fascinating subject. Review: Not really about the moon missions! (3/5) As a fan of early manned space travel, I was very interested when I first saw this book but, after looking through it quickly, decided not to buy it. However, I was then given it as a gift and my original opinion has been reinforced now that I have read it fully. This book is not so much about the moon missions as it is about the author's childhood memories of the space race, his thoughts about the subject and his quest to track down all the surviving moonwalkers. If that is what you are interested in, you will probably enjoy this book. It does have some good parts and is funny at times. If you want to find out more about the Apollo project, space travel or the astronauts themselves, this is not the book for you. I would recommend Chaikin's 'A Man on the Moon', which is the definitive work on this subject. A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts Andrew Chaikin Paperback Penguin Books Ltd 05 January, 1995 Amazon price*: £9.09 (list price £12.99) Used price*: £3.87 More Info & Buy Online Review: Simply the best book I've ever read (5/5) Which includes a lot of books about the Apollo program. It really is that good. Review: Great science and human endeavour (5/5) Anyone who believes the first moon landing was faked should read this book as the dedication, bravery and skill of the astronauts is so evident and there is so much technical data, I don't how on earth anyone could believe such a daft theory. This is the best science book I have ever read. Unlike another reviewer, I even found the geology interesting, and I know nothing about geology. One of the best books on human endeavour I have ever read. Review: An enthralling surprise (5/5) This book was a surprise to me. Not so much a tale of derring-do and macho engineering as an insightful, sensitive and thought-provoking examination of the personalities of the astronauts who made those extraordinary journeys. The author and I are obviously comtemporaries as many of my memories of those days match his and I still look back on them with a mix of wistfulness and wonder......did those things actually happen? It's one of those books I'm sure I'll go back to again and again, and sadly as the lunar astronauts are (literally) a dying breed the author's words are in many instances a suitable epitaph for a remarkable group of men. Highly recommended. Full Moon Michael Light Hardcover Jonathan Cape 24 October, 2002 Amazon price*: £8.57 (list price £12.99) Used price*: £4.90 More Info & Buy Online The Apollo missions, completed between 1967 and 1972, were achieved due to the magnificent co-operative effort of 400,000 men and women, and resulted in the miraculous feat of no deaths, six lunar landings, and over 32,000 photographs. To mark the 30th anniversary of the first landing, the Hayward Gallery in London held an exhibition in Summer 1999 of a selection of those photographs under the title "Full Moon". Indulge yourself in the catalogue of the show and it will take your breath away. Artist and photographer Michael Light has drawn on Nasa's huge archive to put together an archetypal lunar journey in images, from take-off to landing. It is awesome. To communicate the necessary density required a special black ink --"Luna Nero" was developed solely for the printing of this book, and the latest digital resources were used to process miles of black-and-white negatives and colour transparencies to a unique razor-sharp clarity. With five gatefold montage panoramas included, this is landscape photography at its best. Astronauts take their first steps in space, their cables attaching them to their mother craft like giant umbilical cords. The moody surface of the moon changes with every picture, resembling fried egg-white, Emmental cheese, and bubbling broth, magnificent desolation where humankind is the alien. Everything is shadow, scale, texture, trails. Ultimately space travel, like any journeying, is about where you come from rather than where you are going, and the pictures of the Earth taken from space are about as life-affirming as anything you will see. The final image, taken from a capsule that has landed in the Pacific Ocean, ironically shows a seascape redolent of the moon, but appropriately coloured Earth-defining blue. Andrew Chaikin, author of the definitive study of the Apollo missions A Man in the Moon, has written a well-observed essay to complement Light's sequence, but there is no doubting the stars of the show, so to speak. At a time when we've bewilderingly lost a sense of space, this luxurious and spiritual book brilliantly captures something of it anew. --David Vincent Review: Awe-inspiring (5/5) These beautiful photographs simply take your breath away. You almost feel as if you're there. A fitting testament to the Apollo program and all the people who made it happen. Review: Just like being there (5/5) For someone who was too young to appreciate the Apollo moon landings at the time, this book gives me the feeling I was actually there, with the astronauts! The exceptionally high quality of the images, most of which need no caption makes this almost without exception one of the astronomical books of the decade, if not the century! Its a pity that this book shows us what we lost when we left the moon in 1972, and what awaits us when we return. Review: If ever a book deserved a soundtrack... (5/5) An awesome book, both aesthetically and technically. Turning the pages, I found myself almost expecting to hear the soundtrack to go along with the images. The deafening roar of Saturn Five's engines, the gentle clarinet as the Appolo ventures into the shoals of space, the stabbing chord as the stark desolation of the moon comes into view. A fitting tribute to Man's greatest achievement. Into That Silent Sea: Trailblazers of the Space Era, 1961-1965 (Outward Odyssey: A People's History of Spaceflight) Francis French; Colin Burgess Hardcover University of Nebraska Press 11 June, 2007 Amazon price*: £14.49 (list price £15.99) Used price*: £10.84 More Info & Buy Online Review: enjoyable, flowing, well-paced, accessible, exciting (5/5) There are many reasons why I regard this book so highly. The writing style and narrative is enjoyable, flowing, well-paced, accessible, exciting. The book is superbly researched. The events and human subjects covered in the book are interesting, anything but dull, the authors uncovered uncommon stories about them. Most of all, I felt like I had walked away after reading this book seeing these spacefarers and astronauts as humans, real people, not celebrities. The authors managed to show us their humanity without losing respect for their accomplishments. In fact, in spite of their humanity, their weaknesses, their environment, I have even more respect for so many of these spacefarers now that I can appreciate what they went through and had to overcome to achieve what they were able to. I even came away with a much deeper appreciation and understanding of people I've often considered enemies at worst (i.e., Russian spacefarers), and objects of derision at best. The stories in this book touch the human spirit in a way that is universal, beyond politics, beyond creed, beyond country. That's because the authors were able to capture an underlying essence most humans on our planet share: the curiosity and wonder to explore and give one's life to a cause greater than one's own agenda or paradigm. Review: My wife's review of Into That Silent Sea (5/5) As the wife of a fanatical space enthusiast, I have frequently found myself accompanying my husband to lectures, presentations and autograph shows - my role was never more than to act as gofer, holder, porter, etc. Thanks to 'Into That Silent Sea', this has all changed. I feel knowledgeable, competent and keen to engage in a dialogue of my own with these incredible people. I never would have believed that I would ever have described a book covering the history of space travel as being unputdownable. But, truly, it was and here are the reasons why: I enjoyed the straightforward language in which it was written. At no time was I ever bamboozled by highly technical spacespeake. It was akin to reading a detective story all the way from Gagarin's first spaceflight to Alexei Leonov's spacewalk. (I once had my photograph taken with him - next time I will be able to talk intelligibly with him!). One always wanted to read on and on and see what happened next. My interest was held as I learned about the personal lives of the astronauts / cosmonauts and those near and dear to them. Their missions and their own much later thoughts about those missions was absorbing, but it was equally intriguing to learn about their origins, their time as children, their developing interests in aerospace, etc. I thank the authors of 'Into That Silent Sea' for opening my eyes to a whole new sphere of interest. Review: A Opus Magnum (5/5) I have now read both 'Into that Silent Sea' and ' In the Shadow of the Moon'. Undoubtedly the pair represent an opus magnum, especially as they are given added authority by the comments of the participants in the early attempts to conquer space. The detailed accounts of the flights and the biographies of the crews are clearly the result of deep research over, it seems, a period of decades. The two volumes are therefore a historical landmark for future generations similar to our seeking sources of the current affairs in the time of the Venerable Bede. I now have two volumes of carefully compiled references to which I can turn. The resolving of the technical problems and the remarkable courage of the crews will be a constant fascination, of which one will undoubtedly always wish to recall. Within my orbit of knowledge, I can honestly comment that the books are very well and clearly written and the subject matter has been compiled in a most orderly manner. At no time did I have to wonder how the next aspect followed on from the former; so even a complete novice to the material as myself could follow the trend, objectives and development of the technical programme and the building of the physical capabilities, experience and knowledge of the crews. In short I heartily congratulate on dedicated research and concentrated application to write two profoundly authentic volumes of the space programmes over a most critical early period of eight years. How Apollo Flew to the Moon (Springer-Praxis Books) W. David Woods Paperback Springer-Verlag New York Inc. September, 2007 Used price*: £11.01 More Info & Buy Online Dark Side of the Moon: The Magnificent Madness of the American Lunar Quest Gerard DeGroot Paperback Vintage 07 February, 2008 Amazon price*: £6.99 (list price £8.99) Used price*: £2.25 More Info & Buy Online Spaceflight: The Complete Story from Sputnik to Shuttle - and Beyond Buzz Aldrin, Giles Sparrow Hardcover Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd 02 August, 2007 Amazon price*: £17.50 (list price £25.00) Used price*: £10.00 More Info & Buy Online Review: Another beauty (5/5) Well, just when I was tiring of a decent spaceflight book, this one comes along. The book is packed with detail, photos and diagrams: all very interesting and very readable. The book traces the history of spaceflight and dedicates sections on all the key parts (Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Shuttle etc). Needless to say, one of the best Xmas presents I was given. Buy it and enjoy (no I don't work for DK). The Last Man on the Moon Eugene Cernan Hardcover Saint Martin's Press Inc. 01 April, 1999 Amazon price*: £13.08 (list price £13.07) Used price*: £7.03 More Info & Buy Online Review: Enthusiasm and candour. Among the best atronaut books. (4/5) Up there with the Michael Collins biography as one of the best astronaut books, this first-person tale of Gene Cernan's NASA career engages not least because of the drama of his three famous missions. Co-author Davis has helped Cernan tell a complicated story in easy to understand language. Throughout, one picks up on the sheer enthusiasm of this astronaut: his awe and wonder at what he was lucky enough to do. Often self-depracating, he admits difficult moments - the horror of the spacewalk outside Gemini 9 and the frightening malfunction as he approached closer to the Moon than anyone before during Apollo 10, but conveys extremely well the controlled elation of the triumphant Apollo 17, including his and mankind's last steps on the Moon ... for now. There are thirty-seven photos, the usual mix of family and space-related, the latter set containing little new for the Apollo enthusiast but no less relevant for that. Do give this book a try. It's clear, interesting and bubbling over with enthusiasm. Review: Interested in the US Space Program...read this book. (5/5) Whether you have a passing interest in the events surrounding the development of the US Space program leading up to putting Mankind on another planet, or are a serious enthusiast, this book will not disappoint you. Eugene Cernan weaves a spellbinding account of his own personal involvement with the Apollo missions which led to him being the last man to stand on the surface of the moon. It is a candid account told with the human element exposed to let the reader see what kind of men were selected to undertake such missions. This book is a good read and is hard to put down once you embark on Mr Cernan's journey to the moon. Review: The Last Man On The Moon (5/5) Fantastic reading for anyone interested in the Space Race of the 60's and 70's. Gene Cernan is a true American Hero. His story gave a really good insight into his determination to succeed in life. The story of his and the other familys having to endure the stress and worry of the space programme gave the whole book a more 'human' touch. I also liked the 'no messing' approach to his 'lingo' in this book. One of my best reads to date.