Monday, October 03, 2005
A Man on the Moon by Andrew Chaikin
"Houston, we have a problem."Those famous words by Commander Jim Lovell during the famous Apollo 13 flight have become part of our modern vocabulary. Everyone know that story. However, what most people don't know or remember are the other equally as compelling and interesting stories. The mission change of Apollo 8; the fire that claimed the lives of the Apollo 1 crew; the controversy between Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin of Apollo 11; and the last men to walk on the moon on Apollo 17.
Several things come to the surface while reading this fantastic book...
First, these first astronauts (and all for that matter) had some serious intestinal fortitude. They sat on top of millions of gallons of rocket fuel and were literally shot into space. Then, they left the friendly confines of earth and walked in the most deadly atmosphere any man has ever gone. Their technical prowess and will to succeed are truly inspiring. They are modern day heroes.
Second, the stories are absolutely riveting. Chaikin does a superb job of capturing the mood, drama, and even heartbreak of the race to the moon. Like every boy who looked up at the moon and wanted to go there, I found myself traveling along with the astronauts in the Command Module and LEM. He tells the behind the scenes drama and competition for seats on the missions, which are completely enthralling.
Most of all, this book makes you proud to be an American. When it comes down to it, we went to the moon simply because we wanted to. It typifies the attitude America when everything else in the world was going haywire (Vietnam.) It stirs the desire to return to the moon and go even beyond.
Rating: 3 Stars
