Smith, Andrew. Moondust: In Search of the Men Who Fell to Earth. New York: HarperCollins 2005. Print.
First Sentences:
Description:
If this book interests you, be sure to check out:
Tyson, Neil DeGrasse. Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier
Burrows, William. This New Ocean: The Story of the First Space Age
When you've shared a moment with the whole world, it can be hard to know precisely where your memories end and everyone else's begin.
Description:
Andrew Smith, during an interview with Charlie Duke (the tenth astronaut to walk on the moon), heard a radio announcement that Pete Conrad (the third man on the moon) had just died in a motorcycle accident. "Now there's only nine of us," said Duke.
Duke's words made Smith think about the day when there would be no one left alive who had been up to the moon. Twenty-four men had been shot up into space towards that target and twelve had actually walked on its surface. Twenty years later only nine moon-walkers were still alive. Smith felt someone had to record their stories before it was too late.
He decided to seek out and interview the remaining nine members of the Apollo space program who had been to the moon. He is clearly a huge fan of the moon program and its pioneers, entering into conversations with the astronauts like a kid seeking an autograph. He intended to ask them about their experiences with their trips, but actually learned much more about their lives after they had returned from space. Because he asked unusual questions, Smith was able to peak the attention of astronauts who had turned down hundreds of requests for interviews. And they do open up to him, telling him their stories with honesty and passion.
Smith then compiled these interviews into the utterly fascinating Moondust: In Search of the Men Who Fell to Earth. Smith lets them talk about anything, particularly to what they felt on the moon, their relationships with fellow space travelers, and their adjustment to life back on Earth. What role do these men play in the space program now? What goals (if any) should the US pursue in space exploration? What it is like to see the moon overhead in the skies every night? Surprisingly, not all of their stories contained the positive words of awe and thanks which they originally spoke in regards to their experiences.
These interviews fill out the character of the men who risked their lives on rockets blown into space. James Irwin (Apollo 15), Alan Shepard (Apollo 14), and Pete Conrad (Apollo 12) had already died by 1999 when the Smith began to collect these interviews. But the ones who agreed to talk, even the notoriously recluse Neil Armstrong, revealed fascinating stories of themselves, the program, and their philosophies about what they had done.
Each of these men offers new insight into the experiences and events from an insider's perspective. Here are some interesting tidbits and quotes from the Apollo astronauts and other people involved with the space program:
There are many, many other stories, histories, memories, and revelations, including those from Neil Armstrong, the reclusive astronaut who seldom grants interviews. Riveting, fascinating (did I use that word enough?), and eye-opening for any fan of space exploration, historical memoirs, and those just looking for a quality read on a program that the human race can point to with pride.
Duke's words made Smith think about the day when there would be no one left alive who had been up to the moon. Twenty-four men had been shot up into space towards that target and twelve had actually walked on its surface. Twenty years later only nine moon-walkers were still alive. Smith felt someone had to record their stories before it was too late.
He decided to seek out and interview the remaining nine members of the Apollo space program who had been to the moon. He is clearly a huge fan of the moon program and its pioneers, entering into conversations with the astronauts like a kid seeking an autograph. He intended to ask them about their experiences with their trips, but actually learned much more about their lives after they had returned from space. Because he asked unusual questions, Smith was able to peak the attention of astronauts who had turned down hundreds of requests for interviews. And they do open up to him, telling him their stories with honesty and passion.
Smith then compiled these interviews into the utterly fascinating Moondust: In Search of the Men Who Fell to Earth. Smith lets them talk about anything, particularly to what they felt on the moon, their relationships with fellow space travelers, and their adjustment to life back on Earth. What role do these men play in the space program now? What goals (if any) should the US pursue in space exploration? What it is like to see the moon overhead in the skies every night? Surprisingly, not all of their stories contained the positive words of awe and thanks which they originally spoke in regards to their experiences.
These interviews fill out the character of the men who risked their lives on rockets blown into space. James Irwin (Apollo 15), Alan Shepard (Apollo 14), and Pete Conrad (Apollo 12) had already died by 1999 when the Smith began to collect these interviews. But the ones who agreed to talk, even the notoriously recluse Neil Armstrong, revealed fascinating stories of themselves, the program, and their philosophies about what they had done.
Each of these men offers new insight into the experiences and events from an insider's perspective. Here are some interesting tidbits and quotes from the Apollo astronauts and other people involved with the space program:
- Reg Turnill - (BBC aerospace correspondent) - on the first moon landing:
I never thought they could land that thing.
- Edgar Mitchell (Apollo 14) - his secret mission:
...[Mitchell] conducted a private experiment...'transmitting' mental images of randomly chosen shapes to four people back on Earth at prearranged times.
- Dick Gordon (Apollo 12) - the fun of being an astronaut:
The second man after Mike Collins to not land on the Moon, and they say that he's never once complained about that...Along with commander Pete Conrad and Lunar Module pilot Alan Bean [they] really loved each other, like brothers. They drove matching gold Corvettes...and they always gave the impression that while what they were doing was important and dangerous, it was also fabulous. And fun.
- Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11) - his first actions on the moon
Among the fruitier revelations [in his book Return to Earth] there had been arguments about who would step onto the Moon first...that the spacewalks had not all gone to plan and lives had been in jeopardy...that the first thing he did when he got there was kick the dust and watch it sweep away in great arcs; the second thing, while the world watched in rapture, was pee...
If this book interests you, be sure to check out:
Tyson, Neil DeGrasse. Space Chronicles: Facing the Ultimate Frontier
Bite-sized essays that peek into and explanations of the history, current status, and future of space. Topics range from "Why Explore?" "The Next Fifty Years in Space," "For the Love of Hubble," to "The Last Days of the Space Shuttle." (previously reviewed here)
Burrows, William. This New Ocean: The Story of the First Space Age
The definitive history of the space program, both for the United State and Russia (after once-classified documents were releases). Insider conversations, reports, personalities, dreams, and failures in this absolutely fascinating compilation of research. A must-read for anyone interested in learning the facts about the efforts by the USA and USSR to put man into space.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteWhat a nice post. I like your post. Thanks for sharing it. I have a los angeles car accident lawyer. To know more information click here
ReplyDelete