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ISRO: A Personal History
ISRO pioneer R. Aravamudan narrates the gripping story of the people who built India's space research programme and how they did it - from the rocket engineers who laid the foundation to the savvy young engineers who keep Indian spaceships flying today. It is the tale of an Indian organization that defied international bans and embargos, worked with laughably meagre resources, evolved its own technology and grew into a major space power. Today, ISRO creates, builds and launches gigantic rockets which carry the complex spacecraft that form the neural network not just of our own country but those of other countries too. This is a made-in-India story like no other.
272 pages, Paperback
Published February 10, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
May 16, 2017
Essential reading
In the Western world we don't often read about the Indian space programme, and this book fills in a real gap. If anything it understates the tremendous achievements of an almost entirely indigenous development. This book is racy and interesting, and reveals much about the people and politics, and gives a real insight into how they came from bare sandy beaches to successful Mars and Lunar launches
In the Western world we don't often read about the Indian space programme, and this book fills in a real gap. If anything it understates the tremendous achievements of an almost entirely indigenous development. This book is racy and interesting, and reveals much about the people and politics, and gives a real insight into how they came from bare sandy beaches to successful Mars and Lunar launches
February 25, 2018
A good read about our Indian Space Program right from the days it began till date. The book is brief but to point. I only wish I’d known the meaning of most of the technical terms before reading the book. It would have let me appreciate the technical aspects and the hard work of our scientists more. Overall an enthralling and informative read which makes one proud of our advancement in space technology.
January 23, 2018
An insider's peak into the start, initial failures and phenomenal growth of ISRO. A peak into the vision of world's first space entrepreneur, Vikram Sarabhai. A must read book.
June 16, 2018
A rating of 5 stars might seem excessive for readers who are not at least vaguely aware of the history of ISRO & India's much lauded space program but this is strictly a personal rating for the impact the book had on me.
Written in straightforward prose with a focus on delivering information, it is not the most moving or inspirational book that could've been written on the subject. The incredible success story of rocket scientists from a country not renowned to be a technological superpower had a lot more potential as a paean to pluck but given that this is written by one of those scientists, who spent his life actually building these machines, this is a fault that can be forgiven.
Fascinating people float through this book - Vikram Sarabhai, a proto Elon Musk who had charm and brilliance in equal measure; Satish Dhawan, the systems man who brought order and protocol into ISRO as it shaped up into a proper space corporation and APJ Abdul Kalam in his salad days before he became India's missile man - making it a exploration of characters as much as exploration of space technology through the decades. That scientists who started off wearing chappals to work and transporting rocket nose cones on a bicycle would within 3-4 decades send a spacecraft to Mars on their first attempt is reason enough for anyone to read this hard-to-believe true story.
Written in straightforward prose with a focus on delivering information, it is not the most moving or inspirational book that could've been written on the subject. The incredible success story of rocket scientists from a country not renowned to be a technological superpower had a lot more potential as a paean to pluck but given that this is written by one of those scientists, who spent his life actually building these machines, this is a fault that can be forgiven.
Fascinating people float through this book - Vikram Sarabhai, a proto Elon Musk who had charm and brilliance in equal measure; Satish Dhawan, the systems man who brought order and protocol into ISRO as it shaped up into a proper space corporation and APJ Abdul Kalam in his salad days before he became India's missile man - making it a exploration of characters as much as exploration of space technology through the decades. That scientists who started off wearing chappals to work and transporting rocket nose cones on a bicycle would within 3-4 decades send a spacecraft to Mars on their first attempt is reason enough for anyone to read this hard-to-believe true story.
March 23, 2017
A brief yet surprisingly indulging read about how our space agency was formed right from its day one. " Dan " and his better half has written a page turner without geeking up the material with too much scientific jargons .
I also loved the fact that the book was a also mirthful read & I recommend that this book should be added to every book shelf of our school libraries. Well done Dan !!
I also loved the fact that the book was a also mirthful read & I recommend that this book should be added to every book shelf of our school libraries. Well done Dan !!
September 23, 2018
Personal memoirs of isac director Aravamudan. Feels great to read their experiences to gain knowledge about the premier space institute of India.
December 28, 2021
Fascinating read of ISRO's rise to global space organization.
June 24, 2020
Inspiring story of ISRO and how it became a force to reckon with in the field of space technology. Makes one feel proud of the efforts of our scientists who worked on shoestring budgets to develop indigenous rocket and satellite technology. One thing that stood out was the consistent great leadership the organisation had right from the start which was pivotal in shaping ISRO into what it is today. To many more chandrayaans, mangalyaans and manned missions!
July 28, 2019
ISRO is the pride of India. Learning about its journey( from inception) from an a forerunner’s view is really fascinating!!
April 4, 2018
Informative Read
As the title says, its a personal record with the Org. The narrative is plain and has fewer moments of gripping circumstances.
As the title says, its a personal record with the Org. The narrative is plain and has fewer moments of gripping circumstances.
May 26, 2019
A fantastic story of birth and growth of a organisation that has made a whole nation proud. The book also gives glimpses of the great men like Bhabha, Sarabhai and Dhawan who took some bold calls. Author talks about himself being a pioneer multiple times, this could have been avoided.
Overall a brilliant read.
Overall a brilliant read.
March 2, 2018
Author explains his professional journey along with ISRO, from Humble beginning to one of the well accomplished space research organisation.
April 12, 2018
This is a story of vision of Vikram Sarabhai, a story of bunch of dedicated young engineers working hard to realize a fascinating dream, a story of failures and successes of Indian aspiration, a story of Space Program of third world country, a story of ISRO.
Being a part of Indian Space Program since inception, author has authentically narrated this unique journey which started from Church of Mary Magdalene in Thumba, Kerala in early sixties to world class spaceport at Sriharikota. Inception of the program, good old days at Thumba, portrayal of visionary leader Vikram Sarabhai, story of failed and successful launches of SLV, ASLV, PSLV and GSLV, our quest for Cryogenic engine and obstructions by United States, overcoming failures and keeping focused approach, all these and lot more with political references of that time and ting of hummer written in organized manner and in simple yet graceful language. Being a personal history, this book doesn’t describes comprehensive and detailed history of ISRO, it certainly provides glimpse to the major milestone and failure chronologically with personal touch. Must read story of a realization of an Indian dream which fetches imagination of an entire nation.
Being a part of Indian Space Program since inception, author has authentically narrated this unique journey which started from Church of Mary Magdalene in Thumba, Kerala in early sixties to world class spaceport at Sriharikota. Inception of the program, good old days at Thumba, portrayal of visionary leader Vikram Sarabhai, story of failed and successful launches of SLV, ASLV, PSLV and GSLV, our quest for Cryogenic engine and obstructions by United States, overcoming failures and keeping focused approach, all these and lot more with political references of that time and ting of hummer written in organized manner and in simple yet graceful language. Being a personal history, this book doesn’t describes comprehensive and detailed history of ISRO, it certainly provides glimpse to the major milestone and failure chronologically with personal touch. Must read story of a realization of an Indian dream which fetches imagination of an entire nation.
October 29, 2017
The narrative here is a classic example of how an inspirational leadership and a set of determined group of individuals can brave the odds and bring out a feat so commendable that it makes you seriously question all the excuses you ever gave for ever not trying. This is a tale of an organization that, plagued by the international sanctions, cold war or otherwise, and an almost hilarious hair-thin budget evolved from working on the modest nike-apache sounding rockets sourced elsewhere in 1962 to the some of the best satellite launch vehicles and remote sensing satellites the world has ever seen, today.
The book is pretty interesting, and at no point does the narrative seem stretched. Due diligence is given to the other actors in the story, and the very emotional feelings the scientists and the engineers at ISRO go through on every success, and all those failures they had to go through before success saw the light of the day. Aravamudan liberally explains the causes of all those failures in layman terms, and that is one of the many gems that make this book such an absolute delight to read.
Absolutely recommended!
The book is pretty interesting, and at no point does the narrative seem stretched. Due diligence is given to the other actors in the story, and the very emotional feelings the scientists and the engineers at ISRO go through on every success, and all those failures they had to go through before success saw the light of the day. Aravamudan liberally explains the causes of all those failures in layman terms, and that is one of the many gems that make this book such an absolute delight to read.
Absolutely recommended!
July 22, 2017
This is an honest, evocative and extremely captivating account of a program that was once a visionary's dream and eventually turned out to be a mammoth organization that stands as a pinnacle of science and space exploration in India.
Narrated by one of the prodigies of Dr. Sarabhai, the books traces this history of India's space from from its humble origins to respected and recognized space faring nation in the community of developed nations. The author gives a moving description of evolution of modern rocketry, a closely guarded secret, to its application in the use of satellites and other infrastructure involved in the process.
This is the story in which every lesson was learnt the hard way, where success stories were written after painful failure. A must read for every Indian.
Narrated by one of the prodigies of Dr. Sarabhai, the books traces this history of India's space from from its humble origins to respected and recognized space faring nation in the community of developed nations. The author gives a moving description of evolution of modern rocketry, a closely guarded secret, to its application in the use of satellites and other infrastructure involved in the process.
This is the story in which every lesson was learnt the hard way, where success stories were written after painful failure. A must read for every Indian.
July 22, 2017
This book is about the author's journey in tandem with the evolution story of ISRO and India space program.
Interesting read for a beginner learner of India space program and reading some of the exciting stories.
If you have already read the NASA rocket technology progress stories from the book Rocket Boys then you'll have some expectations from this book. Book does justice to them but after reading both the books then you'll make some inferences which will resonate with the general ideas. Yes, I'm being mysterious but will let you figure this point out. I'll be glad to discuss them in comments.
Interesting read for a beginner learner of India space program and reading some of the exciting stories.
If you have already read the NASA rocket technology progress stories from the book Rocket Boys then you'll have some expectations from this book. Book does justice to them but after reading both the books then you'll make some inferences which will resonate with the general ideas. Yes, I'm being mysterious but will let you figure this point out. I'll be glad to discuss them in comments.
August 7, 2017
From Thumba to Thumps Up!
A fine articulation of India's entry into the space program and how it has been built over the last nearly 50 years. Written by one, who has been part of this journey in multiple roles shares with compassionate details how these organizations work in tandem and how every leader starting from Vikram Sarabhai kept science, India, team work and leadership in the middle and centre. The path has not been rosy - building indigenous talent, sanctions, scandals and political changes... To me, this is not only about how Indian space history but importantly how thriving and great organizations are built!
Thumbs Up!
A fine articulation of India's entry into the space program and how it has been built over the last nearly 50 years. Written by one, who has been part of this journey in multiple roles shares with compassionate details how these organizations work in tandem and how every leader starting from Vikram Sarabhai kept science, India, team work and leadership in the middle and centre. The path has not been rosy - building indigenous talent, sanctions, scandals and political changes... To me, this is not only about how Indian space history but importantly how thriving and great organizations are built!
Thumbs Up!
October 18, 2017
Unsurprising that most people who have read it have given ir 5 stars. An excellent overview of how to build a great organization, Aravamudan traces its history from its earliest days wen he joined it to a 20,000 + organization. As a manager you get particular views on philosophy and management of behind a growing org- in a remote location like SHAR Aravamudan ably points out how the role of a leader includes taking care of the people and their cultural lives. Excellent book full of great insights.
April 27, 2018
A simple narrative around rocket science. The title perfectly sums up the book - Aravamudan's version of the events - especially the numerous failures that were the stepping stones to the back to back incredible successes ISRO has been showcasing in recent days. The seeds of that were planted decades ago by some brilliant visionaries including Vikram Sarabhai. A straightforward journal of the transition he saw in the organisation that grew with him was refreshingly nice and provided great reading in an area where very little literature is available in the public domain.
August 24, 2017
Nicely written, starts off with how Vikram Sarabhai built the team from scratch and the author's journey in ISRO. Definitely a must read if you like reading India stuff.
Also enjoyed how ISRO a organization with engineers from small towns in India has made its mark and in the early days it definitely had a start up vibe to it.
Tales from Sriharikota, Thumba and much more.
Also enjoyed how ISRO a organization with engineers from small towns in India has made its mark and in the early days it definitely had a start up vibe to it.
Tales from Sriharikota, Thumba and much more.
November 7, 2017
An interesting read for anyone who has at least once in life wanted to be associated with rockets and space.
The book takes you beautifully through the various stages of ISRO, and how each of the changes came into effect, the challenges that ISRO had to overcome.
Fascinating story from transporting rocket parts in cycles, to reaching Mars on first attempt.
The book takes you beautifully through the various stages of ISRO, and how each of the changes came into effect, the challenges that ISRO had to overcome.
Fascinating story from transporting rocket parts in cycles, to reaching Mars on first attempt.
May 4, 2018
A proud read
This is a verbatim as it happened account of how Indian space technology evolved over the years. The author has been associated with the program right from the inception, and shares all the highs and lows of the events that happened in the journey. It's an exhilarating, joyous, and of course a proud read for every Indian.
This is a verbatim as it happened account of how Indian space technology evolved over the years. The author has been associated with the program right from the inception, and shares all the highs and lows of the events that happened in the journey. It's an exhilarating, joyous, and of course a proud read for every Indian.
June 28, 2017
Well, it kept me occupied and addicted till the end coz i am big time fan of ISRO. I wished I had more information on the geopolitics played by US while rejecting the cryo tech to India. Its a feel good, feel proud book.
April 24, 2018
A crash course on the history and growth of India's space program, Dan's book is fast paced and lively in terms of the time line it covers. However could have been written a bit better in terms of the language.
January 16, 2018
Aravamudan presents the rags to riches story of the Indian Space Research Organisation from his perspective.
April 1, 2018
Very readable and interesting.
February 14, 2018
A decent book on how ISRO was formed and what challenges they had faced.
February 11, 2024
A decent book on the evolution of the organisation and I liked the fact that inherently it contains the history of Trivandrum.
February 10, 2024
"Standing on the shoulders of giants". I relate to his journey in a way because I too am at a very young stage to become part of the space programme. It gives me a sense of pride to witness the story of R. Aravamudan through his very well-articulated words.
The Indian Space Research Organization has been a guiding torch for the whole world, and it is time that we take this forward to become second to none in contributing to Earth observation, human endeavors in deep space, renewable energy generation, climate monitoring activities, and boosting the agriculture sector by helping the farmers.
We don't wish to race but to be consistent in helping developing countries by collaborating on several projects because the ultimate aim is to help the environment surrounding us, which in turn will be the leading cause for the survival of humanity.
Thank you so much, R. Aravamudan sir, for your immense contribution to India's space sector, and I look forward to taking your teachings ahead for the future generation.
∫t
The Indian Space Research Organization has been a guiding torch for the whole world, and it is time that we take this forward to become second to none in contributing to Earth observation, human endeavors in deep space, renewable energy generation, climate monitoring activities, and boosting the agriculture sector by helping the farmers.
We don't wish to race but to be consistent in helping developing countries by collaborating on several projects because the ultimate aim is to help the environment surrounding us, which in turn will be the leading cause for the survival of humanity.
Thank you so much, R. Aravamudan sir, for your immense contribution to India's space sector, and I look forward to taking your teachings ahead for the future generation.
∫t
March 15, 2021
The whispers of success you know, but the failures and the struggles you don’t.
This novel is based on the life of the author who spent half his life in the development of space technology and how it all happened and the crew members who are all travelled along with in this wonderful and dramatic journey.
Over fifty years ago, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai recruited some fresh candidates to start a small rocket launching station in Thumba, Kerala. The author was also one of the candidates who was sent to NASA to gain knowledge regarding the development of space technology. The author along with crew members and the director of the small launching space station Vikram Sarabhai, paved the way for the current status of ISRO.
This novel is quiet a remarkable content to know about the details of the development of ISRO. It will be pleasure fot those who are interested in knowing the background of ISRO.
When the sky is no longer the limit, anything is possible.
This novel is based on the life of the author who spent half his life in the development of space technology and how it all happened and the crew members who are all travelled along with in this wonderful and dramatic journey.
Over fifty years ago, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai recruited some fresh candidates to start a small rocket launching station in Thumba, Kerala. The author was also one of the candidates who was sent to NASA to gain knowledge regarding the development of space technology. The author along with crew members and the director of the small launching space station Vikram Sarabhai, paved the way for the current status of ISRO.
This novel is quiet a remarkable content to know about the details of the development of ISRO. It will be pleasure fot those who are interested in knowing the background of ISRO.
When the sky is no longer the limit, anything is possible.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews