TCCDM Dig and Flip: A Man On The Moon - Andrew Chaikin (1994)
A Man On The Moon
by Andrew Chaikin
(1994)
Paperback, 685 pages
Space: The final frontier, as the mantra goes. And going to the moon has been the greatest, boldest adventure we small humans have undertaken in our lifetime. In A Man on the Moon, Andrew Chaikin takes us along as we follow the Apollo Program from its inception in 1967. From Apollo 1 to Apollo 17, the last mission, we are reminded of the tragedies and near-tragedies, as well as the amazing triumphs and accomplishments. This almost reads like a novel.
We learn so much about the astronauts. In many ways, the astronauts are a lot like us and yet nothing like us at all. There's a fearlessness and bravery gene hidden inside each one of the astronauts that somehow allows them to rub shoulders with the shadows of death. Savoring the risks and begging for the triple-dog dares. We also learn how important mission control, the programmers, the mathematical jugglers, the communicators, and the outside-the-box thinkers make it all happen. The stress their wives and families must accept and endure. And finally, we learn just how competitive it is to be the next one on the Apollo mission list.
New things are learned on every voyage. And even the smallest of details can be as fascinating as the payoff. During the 17 Apollo missions, NASA successfully landed six crewed ships on the moon. Twelve different astronauts walked, bounced, and tumbled on that piece of cheese. It's easy for us layfolks to take it for granted. Become immune or jaded to the accomplishments. But we all know it's a mindblow. We all know. A Man On The Moon is well worth your time. The book reads easily, and dang if you don't learn something while enjoying each page. I give this book four outta five Moon rocks. By the way...Tom Hanks contributed a nice foreword.
"Major Tom (Coming Home)" - Peter Schilling / "Error In The System" (1983)
Good stuff.
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