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Hashtag Histories
#Apollo11: When Men Walked on the Moon: The incredible mission of Apollo 11
"We choose to go to the Moon not because it is easy but because it is hard!"- President John F. Kennedy, 12 September, 1962.What if there had been today's social media during the incredible Apollo 11 mission to the Moon?If you were not fortunate enough to be able to witness the entire historic mission of Apollo 11 as it unfolded (or even if you were), this gripping account will put you believably back inside those eight incredibly tense and dramatic days in 1969. The unique social media format of the book allows us to experience all the drama and achievements as if we were following them live, and as if the participants were speaking to us directly in real time.The narrative is based on actual astronaut accounts, NASA transcripts of the fascinating continual communications with the astronauts,broadcasts of all the main TV networks covering the mission and the thoughts of many laypeople and expert observers. The account also includes details that were not publicly available at the time, such as the secret speech to be delivered to the nation by President Nixon should the astronauts fail to return from the Moon. There is an extensive list of major sources at the end of the book.This is not a book, therefore, written in the usual book format. It is the story of man's first exploration of Earth's nearest neighbor,the Moon, told as if in real time in the form of imaginary social media postsby the main participants and observers. By using the fictional (at the time)vehicle of social media, the book is able to give an accurate account of the historic mission, revealing what the people involved in, and those witnessing,the momentous events were thinking, doing and saying at each stage of the mission.The account covers the entire mission, from the tense buildup and countdown to the launch, to the heart-stopping descent to the lunar surface, the first moonwalk, the experiments on the surface, the journey back to Earth, re-entry, recovery and the triumphal reception back in New York.This is Book 2 in The Apollo Missions To The Moon series. Like all the books in the series, the narrative of this account is based on actual astronaut recollections, NASA transcripts of the fascinating continual communications with the astronauts, broadcasts of the main TV networks covering the mission and the thoughts of many expert and laypeople observers. There is an extensive list of major sources at the end of each book. Click the BUY NOW button to follow the astronauts' incredible mission as if in real time.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 22, 2014
53 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Philip Gibson
66 books7 followersI am a retired teacher of English, having taught and lived in (in order): England, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan and Laos.
I came to Laos 22 years ago, married a Lao lady and now live with my wife and two teenage boys on our small farm on the forested banks of the Nam Ngum River (tributary of the Mekong) about 25 miles from the capital city of Vientiane.
I came to Laos 22 years ago, married a Lao lady and now live with my wife and two teenage boys on our small farm on the forested banks of the Nam Ngum River (tributary of the Mekong) about 25 miles from the capital city of Vientiane.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 4, 2019
The retelling if the history is fascinating and I can imagine being there. However, I didn’t realize when I started this that it was written in ‘social media format’. That was annoying so o quickly finished the book
October 4, 2014
“What if there had been social media during the first mission to land a man on the Moon in 1969?” With these words, author Philip Gibson introduces #Houston 69: Apollo 11 – When Man Walked on the Moon, an account of the Apollo Moon landing told via social media postings, primarily tweets. I received a free review copy of #Houston 69, and having read a couple of Gibson’s previous Hashtag History books, looked forward to this one.
Gibson, a UK author who was 19 when American astronauts first set foot on the lunar surface, is an accomplished historical writer who makes historical events come alive in a most unique way. His ‘created’ social media posts put us into the minds of the principals to these events in a way that mainstream history books, and even most historical fiction, simply cannot do. From the straight-forward comments by noted newsman Walter Cronkite to the poetic waxings of Eric Severaid, he sets up the pre-launch period, a time when the success of the mission was only a dream. Postings from launch control, the White House, media, and most importantly, the astronauts themselves, show the tension of events, large and small as Neil Armstrong and the crew of Apollo 11 set off on a mission that could have very well been one-way.
From pre-launch until splashdown, you’ll be on the edge of your seat as postings describe events – mundane and momentous – of one of mankind’s most historic undertakings. In the process, thanks to the brief bio information that Gibson provides, you’ll learn things about the history of the period that I can assure you, you never knew before.
Gibson, a UK author who was 19 when American astronauts first set foot on the lunar surface, is an accomplished historical writer who makes historical events come alive in a most unique way. His ‘created’ social media posts put us into the minds of the principals to these events in a way that mainstream history books, and even most historical fiction, simply cannot do. From the straight-forward comments by noted newsman Walter Cronkite to the poetic waxings of Eric Severaid, he sets up the pre-launch period, a time when the success of the mission was only a dream. Postings from launch control, the White House, media, and most importantly, the astronauts themselves, show the tension of events, large and small as Neil Armstrong and the crew of Apollo 11 set off on a mission that could have very well been one-way.
From pre-launch until splashdown, you’ll be on the edge of your seat as postings describe events – mundane and momentous – of one of mankind’s most historic undertakings. In the process, thanks to the brief bio information that Gibson provides, you’ll learn things about the history of the period that I can assure you, you never knew before.
November 8, 2014
Absolutely fantastic! - I loved recalling that historical trip! - Reading this event was so very special - Most of the pictures are awesome. I was only 15 when this mission took place, and it brought-back a lot of fond memories. The astronauts seemed to be talking about the historical events as if they had been there before, in a way! That just goes to show how well they did their planning, research etc.. if that doesn't sound silly to mention! Back to the book: As well as this very detailed account of this fabulous mission, there is an abundance of web links to select from for your further research and pleasure. I look forward to taking a look at these in my leisure time. Finally, well done to everyone who played a part in this book - your work on this is most appreciated and truly valued. I look forward to reading more books by this author / (team). Thank You. God bless you all. Recommended.
October 3, 2015
This book...man...right up my space-program-lovin' alley! From pre-flight to quarantine, the story of the Apollo 11 moon landing is retold in Twitter-feed-size snippets. Big enough to get the point across, short enough to be easy to understand. And actual reports and words...not made up. If Michael Collins said it, the author used Michael Collins' "Twitter account" to relay it. Awesome read!
November 8, 2015
This was great!
I was in utero on 7/20/69 but I wish I could have witnessed this historic event (and have been old enough to understand it).
Reading this book helped visualize what happened.
The short, quick sound bytes make for an easy read.
Pretty moving too, as you read that man is walking on the moon (!!) and Walter Cronkite is tearing up.
I was in utero on 7/20/69 but I wish I could have witnessed this historic event (and have been old enough to understand it).
Reading this book helped visualize what happened.
The short, quick sound bytes make for an easy read.
Pretty moving too, as you read that man is walking on the moon (!!) and Walter Cronkite is tearing up.
June 2, 2015
This was wonderful. It took me back to that time when we were all glued to the tv in absolute amazement. I had my camera on a tripod in front of the TV taking pics of men on the moon. Than you for this chance to go back and re-live this terrific time.
July 14, 2015
#Moon Landing
This edition of the #History series imagines the Apollo 11 mission if Twitter was around back then. It gives a minute by minute account of the moon landing as seen through the eyes of the astronauts,journalists and NASA personnel.
This edition of the #History series imagines the Apollo 11 mission if Twitter was around back then. It gives a minute by minute account of the moon landing as seen through the eyes of the astronauts,journalists and NASA personnel.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews