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A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts
'IMPRESSIVE AND ILLUMINATING' TOM HANKS
This is the definitive account of the heroic Apollo programme.
When astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin took their 'giant leap for mankind' across a ghostly lunar landscape, they were watched by some 600 million people on Earth 240,000 miles away.
Drawing on hundreds of hours of in-depth interviews with the astronauts and mission personnel, this is the story of the twentieth century's greatest human achievement, minute-by-minute, through the eyes of those who were there.
From the tragedy of the fire in Apollo 1 during a simulated launch, Apollo 8's bold pioneering flight around the moon, through to the euphoria of the first moonwalk, and to the discoveries made by the first scientist on the moon aboard Apollo 17, this book covers it all.
'An extraordinary book . . . Space, with its limitless boundaries, has the power to inspire, to change lives, to make the impossible happen. Chaikin's superb book demonstrates how' Sunday Times
'A superb account . . . Apollo may be the only achievement by which our age is remembered a thousand years from now' Arthur C. Clarke
'The authoritative masterpiece' Los Angeles Times
607 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 1994
649 people are currently reading
10588 people want to read
About the author
Andrew Chaikin
29 books94 followersAward-winning science journalist and space historian Andrew Chaikin has authored books and articles about space exploration and astronomy for more than 25 years. Writer-director and explorer James Cameron (Titanic, Aliens of the Deep) called him “our best historian of the space age.”
Chaikin is best known as the author of A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts, widely regarded as the definitive account of the moon missions. First published in 1994, this acclaimed work was the main basis for Tom Hanks' 12-part HBO miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon, which won the Emmy for best miniseries in 1998. Chaikin spent eight years writing and researching A Man on the Moon, including over 150 hours of personal interviews with 23 of the 24 lunar astronauts (Apollo 13's Jack Swigert was already deceased). Apollo moonwalker Gene Cernan said of the book, "I've been there. Chaikin took me back." A new edition of the book, with a new afterword for the 50th anniversary of the space age, was published by Penguin in 2007.
Chaikin’s newest book is A Passion for Mars, published in September 2008 by Abrams. Apollo 11 astronaut and author Michael Collins called it a “masterpiece of a book,” and Rocket Boys author Homer Hickam said, “I am completely and utterly in love with this book.”
Upcoming works to be published in May 2009 are Voices from the Moon (Viking Studio) featuring excerpts from his conversations with Apollo astronauts, and Mission Control, This is Apollo (Viking Childrens) a book for middle-school readers illustrated with paintings by Apollo moonwalker Alan Bean.
He is also the author of Air and Space: The National Air and Space Museum Story of Flight, published in 1997 by Bulfinch Press. Chaikin's illustrated narrative of space exploration, SPACE: A History of Space Exploration in Photographs, was published in 2002 by Carlton Books. He co-authored the text for the highly successful collection of Apollo photography, Full Moon, which was published by Knopf in 1999.
Chaikin collaborated with moonwalker-turned-artist Alan Bean to write Apollo: An Eyewitness Account, published in 1998 by the Greenwich Workshop Press. He also co-edited The New Solar System, a compendium of writings by planetary scientists, now in its fourth edition. His essays include the chapter on human spaceflight in The National Geographic Encyclopedia of Space, published in 2004, and Live from the Moon: The Societal Impact of Apollo for NASA’s 2007 book The Societal Impact of Spaceflight.
From 1999 to 2001 Chaikin served as Executive Editor for Space and Science at SPACE.com, the definitive website for all things space. He was also the editor of SPACE.com's print magazine, Space Illustrated.
Chaikin is a commentator for National Public Radio's Morning Edition, and has appeared on Good Morning America, Nightline, and the NPR programs Fresh Air and Talk of the Nation. He has been an advisor to NASA on space policy and public communications.
A former editor of Sky & Telescope magazine, Chaikin has also been a contributing editor of Popular Science and has written for Newsweek, Air&Space/Smithsonian, World Book Encyclopedia, Scientific American, and other publications.
A graduate of Brown University, Chaikin served on the Viking missions to Mars at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and was a researcher at the Smithsonian's Center for Earth and Planetary Studies before becoming a science journalist in 1980. He is an amateur musician and songwriter; he has also been an occasional space artist, and is one of the founders of the International Association of Astronomical Artists.
Chaikin is best known as the author of A Man on the Moon: The Voyages of the Apollo Astronauts, widely regarded as the definitive account of the moon missions. First published in 1994, this acclaimed work was the main basis for Tom Hanks' 12-part HBO miniseries, From the Earth to the Moon, which won the Emmy for best miniseries in 1998. Chaikin spent eight years writing and researching A Man on the Moon, including over 150 hours of personal interviews with 23 of the 24 lunar astronauts (Apollo 13's Jack Swigert was already deceased). Apollo moonwalker Gene Cernan said of the book, "I've been there. Chaikin took me back." A new edition of the book, with a new afterword for the 50th anniversary of the space age, was published by Penguin in 2007.
Chaikin’s newest book is A Passion for Mars, published in September 2008 by Abrams. Apollo 11 astronaut and author Michael Collins called it a “masterpiece of a book,” and Rocket Boys author Homer Hickam said, “I am completely and utterly in love with this book.”
Upcoming works to be published in May 2009 are Voices from the Moon (Viking Studio) featuring excerpts from his conversations with Apollo astronauts, and Mission Control, This is Apollo (Viking Childrens) a book for middle-school readers illustrated with paintings by Apollo moonwalker Alan Bean.
He is also the author of Air and Space: The National Air and Space Museum Story of Flight, published in 1997 by Bulfinch Press. Chaikin's illustrated narrative of space exploration, SPACE: A History of Space Exploration in Photographs, was published in 2002 by Carlton Books. He co-authored the text for the highly successful collection of Apollo photography, Full Moon, which was published by Knopf in 1999.
Chaikin collaborated with moonwalker-turned-artist Alan Bean to write Apollo: An Eyewitness Account, published in 1998 by the Greenwich Workshop Press. He also co-edited The New Solar System, a compendium of writings by planetary scientists, now in its fourth edition. His essays include the chapter on human spaceflight in The National Geographic Encyclopedia of Space, published in 2004, and Live from the Moon: The Societal Impact of Apollo for NASA’s 2007 book The Societal Impact of Spaceflight.
From 1999 to 2001 Chaikin served as Executive Editor for Space and Science at SPACE.com, the definitive website for all things space. He was also the editor of SPACE.com's print magazine, Space Illustrated.
Chaikin is a commentator for National Public Radio's Morning Edition, and has appeared on Good Morning America, Nightline, and the NPR programs Fresh Air and Talk of the Nation. He has been an advisor to NASA on space policy and public communications.
A former editor of Sky & Telescope magazine, Chaikin has also been a contributing editor of Popular Science and has written for Newsweek, Air&Space/Smithsonian, World Book Encyclopedia, Scientific American, and other publications.
A graduate of Brown University, Chaikin served on the Viking missions to Mars at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and was a researcher at the Smithsonian's Center for Earth and Planetary Studies before becoming a science journalist in 1980. He is an amateur musician and songwriter; he has also been an occasional space artist, and is one of the founders of the International Association of Astronomical Artists.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 619 reviews
September 14, 2024
When I was about five, I had a plan on how to reach the Moon — starting on the roof of our 9-story apartment building, stacking a hundred chairs there (a hundred being the highest number that made sense to five-year-old me) and climbing for a bit.
NASA apparently did not see the ease of that plan and chose a different way to the Moon. Oh well.
Before Andrew Chaikin’s A Man on the Moon my knowledge of Apollo missions was pretty much the popular highlights. Apollo 1 that ended in deadly fire that killed the crew on the practice run. Apollo 8 when humans got close to the Moon for the first time. Apollo 11 where Armstrong took his “small step for man”. Apollo 13 where Jim Lovell and his crew survived the spaceship explosion. I read and loved Jim Lovell’s book and have the relatively recent Apollo 11 documentary pretty much memorized. But until Chaikin’s book the rest of the missions to me were the “also-run” participation-trophy space fillers.
But that has changed now. Andrew Chaikin’s 1993 labor of love based on hours of interviews with astronauts and space program personnel as well as painstaking research into Lunar Missions, both Gemini and Apollo, effortlessly combines technical details and very human-centered approach, focusing on the astronauts as well as their missions. It’s that rare case when after reading 600-plus dense pages I want at least 600 more.
And suddenly not only lesser-known to me Apollo missions come to life but now I have a new favorite one. Apollo 12, the one after the first famous Moon landing, crewed by Pete Conrad, Dick Gordon and Al Bean. This was not just a superbly executed complicated mission with the goal of precision landing, but also a buddy trip, with all three astronauts splendidly getting along after years of solid friendship, with Conrad goofing off and levity ruling the day. (If you don’t feel like hunting down Chaikin’s book, then episode 7 of HBO’s 1998 “From the Earth to the Moon”, largely based on this book, can show you the easy fun camaraderie that warms up my shriveled-up heart).
Apollo 9 (Jim McDivitt, Dave Scott and Rusty Schweickart) is the one I was happy to read more about as well given me having made best friends with its command module “Gumdrop” when I visited San Diego Air and Space Museum. I mean, I’ve only seen one lunar command module and it is my favorite. Don’t judge.
What I really didn’t know was the more scientific nature of Apollo 15-17 when it was clear that Apollo program was about to be canceled and the science of Moon exploration has barely scratched the surface. It culminated with the first geologist on the Moon on Apollo 17 - Jack Schmitt, who was geologist first and astronaut second. And before anyone protests that geology is boring, let me huff and puff here that Geology Rocks, especially when it’s on the Moon.
Now don’t laugh at my space nerdiness, but next up there’s one more Chaikin Moon book (headed to the library to get a copy now, actually), a reread of Jim Lovell’s book, a biography of Neil Armstrong and a hunt for Mike Collins’ book.
5 solid stars. And Moons.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
NASA apparently did not see the ease of that plan and chose a different way to the Moon. Oh well.
Before Andrew Chaikin’s A Man on the Moon my knowledge of Apollo missions was pretty much the popular highlights. Apollo 1 that ended in deadly fire that killed the crew on the practice run. Apollo 8 when humans got close to the Moon for the first time. Apollo 11 where Armstrong took his “small step for man”. Apollo 13 where Jim Lovell and his crew survived the spaceship explosion. I read and loved Jim Lovell’s book and have the relatively recent Apollo 11 documentary pretty much memorized. But until Chaikin’s book the rest of the missions to me were the “also-run” participation-trophy space fillers.
Lovell, Haise and Swigert of exploded Apollo 13 making it back alive despite the odds.
See the explosion site? Photo taken by crew about to try re-entry into our home world.
But that has changed now. Andrew Chaikin’s 1993 labor of love based on hours of interviews with astronauts and space program personnel as well as painstaking research into Lunar Missions, both Gemini and Apollo, effortlessly combines technical details and very human-centered approach, focusing on the astronauts as well as their missions. It’s that rare case when after reading 600-plus dense pages I want at least 600 more.
And suddenly not only lesser-known to me Apollo missions come to life but now I have a new favorite one. Apollo 12, the one after the first famous Moon landing, crewed by Pete Conrad, Dick Gordon and Al Bean. This was not just a superbly executed complicated mission with the goal of precision landing, but also a buddy trip, with all three astronauts splendidly getting along after years of solid friendship, with Conrad goofing off and levity ruling the day. (If you don’t feel like hunting down Chaikin’s book, then episode 7 of HBO’s 1998 “From the Earth to the Moon”, largely based on this book, can show you the easy fun camaraderie that warms up my shriveled-up heart).
Pete Conrad on the Moon; Lunar Module “Intrepid” above the Moon.The happy buddy crew of Apollo 12.
Apollo 9 (Jim McDivitt, Dave Scott and Rusty Schweickart) is the one I was happy to read more about as well given me having made best friends with its command module “Gumdrop” when I visited San Diego Air and Space Museum. I mean, I’ve only seen one lunar command module and it is my favorite. Don’t judge.
Gumdrop. So tempting to reach out and touch. While it’s staring at you with those unmistakable eyes on top.
What I really didn’t know was the more scientific nature of Apollo 15-17 when it was clear that Apollo program was about to be canceled and the science of Moon exploration has barely scratched the surface. It culminated with the first geologist on the Moon on Apollo 17 - Jack Schmitt, who was geologist first and astronaut second. And before anyone protests that geology is boring, let me huff and puff here that Geology Rocks, especially when it’s on the Moon.
Now don’t laugh at my space nerdiness, but next up there’s one more Chaikin Moon book (headed to the library to get a copy now, actually), a reread of Jim Lovell’s book, a biography of Neil Armstrong and a hunt for Mike Collins’ book.
5 solid stars. And Moons.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
January 13, 2021
A thrilling book,a great adventure. Andrew Chaikin brings the astronauts to life. What is essentially a dry subject,becomes first rate entertainment.
The story of each moon mission is described in vivid detail.Lots of dramatic moments,the first view of the earth from lunar orbit,(Apollo 8),the selection of the first man to step on the moon (Apollo 11),the moment of near disaster for Apollo 12,the near catastrophic crisis aboard Apollo 13,and the landing of the last man on the moon (Apollo 17).
Apollo 10,commanded by Tom Stafford went all the way to the moon,without landing,as a dress rehearsal for the mission of Apollo 11.
There is also the story of Alan Shepard,who managed to get the command of Apollo 14,at the ripe age of 47,much to the dismay of the others,who had been waiting in line.
The crew of Apollo 15,was involved in a "stamps" scandal,as they tried to make money from their voyage.John Young,commanded Apollo 16,and along with Jim Lovell,was the most travelled of all the astronauts.
Finally,Gene Cernan who commanded Apollo 17,became the last man to stop on the moon.The last three moon missions,Apollo 18,19 and 20 were scrapped,given their enormous cost.
History will,however,always remember Neil Armstrong as the first man on the moon.The others,have largely been forgotten.
There was a fierce rivalry to be the first man on the moon but Deke Slayton,their boss,chose Neil Armstrong.It is another matter that Armstrong was never comfortable in the publicity spotlight and became something of a recluse in later life.
Before the moon landings,there is the story of Gemini and the tragedy of Apollo 1,whose crew was killed on the ground in a training accident.There were other astronauts,who were killed in flying accidents,before their space missions.
The Original 7 (the Mercury astronauts) who flew the first space missions,after the Soviets had done so are also mentioned.Among them,only Alan Shepard would go to the moon and Gus Grissom would be killed.John Glenn would become a celebrity and a senator.
The personal stories of the astronauts are fascinating.What was amiss,however,was sufficient mention of the competing Soviet space programme.
It is clearly meant to be a patriotic book meant to convey that the US won the space race.But it conveniently forgets to mention that the Soviets won a number of earlier space battles.That prompted President Kennedy to launch the outrageously expensive Apollo programme.It was a battle of the Cold War.
Also,there was hardly any discussion of the colossal amounts spent to get to the moon,and the environmental impact of the moon missions.
Still,five stars for sheer entertainment and great storytelling.
The story of each moon mission is described in vivid detail.Lots of dramatic moments,the first view of the earth from lunar orbit,(Apollo 8),the selection of the first man to step on the moon (Apollo 11),the moment of near disaster for Apollo 12,the near catastrophic crisis aboard Apollo 13,and the landing of the last man on the moon (Apollo 17).
Apollo 10,commanded by Tom Stafford went all the way to the moon,without landing,as a dress rehearsal for the mission of Apollo 11.
There is also the story of Alan Shepard,who managed to get the command of Apollo 14,at the ripe age of 47,much to the dismay of the others,who had been waiting in line.
The crew of Apollo 15,was involved in a "stamps" scandal,as they tried to make money from their voyage.John Young,commanded Apollo 16,and along with Jim Lovell,was the most travelled of all the astronauts.
Finally,Gene Cernan who commanded Apollo 17,became the last man to stop on the moon.The last three moon missions,Apollo 18,19 and 20 were scrapped,given their enormous cost.
History will,however,always remember Neil Armstrong as the first man on the moon.The others,have largely been forgotten.
There was a fierce rivalry to be the first man on the moon but Deke Slayton,their boss,chose Neil Armstrong.It is another matter that Armstrong was never comfortable in the publicity spotlight and became something of a recluse in later life.
Before the moon landings,there is the story of Gemini and the tragedy of Apollo 1,whose crew was killed on the ground in a training accident.There were other astronauts,who were killed in flying accidents,before their space missions.
The Original 7 (the Mercury astronauts) who flew the first space missions,after the Soviets had done so are also mentioned.Among them,only Alan Shepard would go to the moon and Gus Grissom would be killed.John Glenn would become a celebrity and a senator.
The personal stories of the astronauts are fascinating.What was amiss,however,was sufficient mention of the competing Soviet space programme.
It is clearly meant to be a patriotic book meant to convey that the US won the space race.But it conveniently forgets to mention that the Soviets won a number of earlier space battles.That prompted President Kennedy to launch the outrageously expensive Apollo programme.It was a battle of the Cold War.
Also,there was hardly any discussion of the colossal amounts spent to get to the moon,and the environmental impact of the moon missions.
Still,five stars for sheer entertainment and great storytelling.
August 13, 2012
The Apollo project was the culmination of the Soviet-American space race, the magnificently mad endeavor with no purpose other than national prestige, a twentieth century equivalent of the Great Sphinx of Giza. The Soviets were the first to orbit a satellite around the Earth, to orbit a man, and to land a probe on the Moon, Venus and Mars. Yet the Americans landed a man on the Moon, which the Soviets tried and failed to do. The project used machines more complicated than a Yamato class battleship of thirty years before, pushing the envelope of technology in all directions. The history of how this was done is fascinating; unfortunately, it is not told in this book. Earlier in his career, the project director of the Saturn V rocket, which propelled the astronauts to the Moon, was the operations manager of the Mittelwerk underground factory in Germany, which produced the V-2 ballistic missile using the labor of inmates of the Mittelbau-Dora concentration camp; of the 60,000 laborers, 20,000 died of starvation, disease and overwork. He was later stripped of his US citizenship, deported to Germany, and not given a visa to return for the 20th anniversary celebration of the Moon landings. This rocketeer, named Arthur Rudolph, is not even in the index of Chaikin's book! Dr. Wernher "I aim for the stars, but sometimes I hit London" von Braun is mentioned in passing three times. The failed Soviet manned moon program using the N-1 rocket is not mentioned at all, even though by 1994 its existence was well known: a CIA official revealed as early as 1976 that the agency knew about it; how could it not to, if American spy satellites routinely photographed the giant rocket on its launch pad?
Instead, Chaikin's book is a 600-page Life Magazine article about the astronauts: their early lives, their personalities and quirks, how they trained for the Moon missions, how they flew to the Moon and landed on it, what they did on the Moon (mostly walk around collecting rocks, though on later missions they also got to ride around in the Moon buggy), and what they did later in life (one became a one-term US Senator from New Mexico, another an artist, another a parapsychology nut). The designer of the Moon buggy, named Ferenc Pavlics, who emigrated after the failed 1956 Hungarian Revolution, is also not in the index. Apollo astronauts were the test pilots of spacecraft, which is not surprising given that many had earlier been test pilots of aircraft; Neil Armstrong once flew the North American X-15 suborbital spaceplane. They were heroes all right. Yet heroes are not uncommon; it was the engineers, including former Nazi rocketeers, who made the Apollo project succeed, and they are not given their rightful due in Chaikin's book.
Instead, Chaikin's book is a 600-page Life Magazine article about the astronauts: their early lives, their personalities and quirks, how they trained for the Moon missions, how they flew to the Moon and landed on it, what they did on the Moon (mostly walk around collecting rocks, though on later missions they also got to ride around in the Moon buggy), and what they did later in life (one became a one-term US Senator from New Mexico, another an artist, another a parapsychology nut). The designer of the Moon buggy, named Ferenc Pavlics, who emigrated after the failed 1956 Hungarian Revolution, is also not in the index. Apollo astronauts were the test pilots of spacecraft, which is not surprising given that many had earlier been test pilots of aircraft; Neil Armstrong once flew the North American X-15 suborbital spaceplane. They were heroes all right. Yet heroes are not uncommon; it was the engineers, including former Nazi rocketeers, who made the Apollo project succeed, and they are not given their rightful due in Chaikin's book.
September 3, 2021
A good but in my mind slightly too long account of the Apollo Program.
The usual suspects (Apollo 8, 11 and 13) are covered in detail. As is the tragedy of Apollo 1. But Chaikin also gives a lot of room to the Apollo 12 and 14-17 missions. The third part of the book mostly being about Lunar geology.
While I appreciate his approach, it unfortunately does evoke some of the same feelings the public had about the Apollo Program back in the 60s and 70s. Seeing our home planet for the first time surely must have been a life-changing moment for many. The first moon landing was a spectacular event and a marvelous engineering feat. Doing it all over again, well, didn’t exactly generate the same interest. This book too, I’m afraid, got a little repetitive and less interesting as time wore on.
In general, the author’s focus is more on the astronauts and their personal experiences than on the engineering side of it all. That’s fine. But he lost me somewhere along the way. Because those experiences got a little too samey at some point.
My audiobook was 23 hours long, and I don’t recommend it. The narrator, actor Bronson Pinchot, has won several Audie Awards, one of them for this book. I find this a little surprising. For me it was an extremely dull experience to listen to him. The only time I remember hearing some excitement in his voice was when the matter of urinating in space came up. Incidentally a thing I got excited about as well. I guess observed from afar those kinds of experiences are just too damn funny.
The book ends with a look at the things people did after Apollo had ended. But at this point I had mostly lost interest. I don’t remember any zero-gravity peeing happening in that chapter.
Seriously, it is a good book. But some editing should have happened here and there, and I guess a printed copy with some pictures would have been more fun.
The usual suspects (Apollo 8, 11 and 13) are covered in detail. As is the tragedy of Apollo 1. But Chaikin also gives a lot of room to the Apollo 12 and 14-17 missions. The third part of the book mostly being about Lunar geology.
While I appreciate his approach, it unfortunately does evoke some of the same feelings the public had about the Apollo Program back in the 60s and 70s. Seeing our home planet for the first time surely must have been a life-changing moment for many. The first moon landing was a spectacular event and a marvelous engineering feat. Doing it all over again, well, didn’t exactly generate the same interest. This book too, I’m afraid, got a little repetitive and less interesting as time wore on.
In general, the author’s focus is more on the astronauts and their personal experiences than on the engineering side of it all. That’s fine. But he lost me somewhere along the way. Because those experiences got a little too samey at some point.
My audiobook was 23 hours long, and I don’t recommend it. The narrator, actor Bronson Pinchot, has won several Audie Awards, one of them for this book. I find this a little surprising. For me it was an extremely dull experience to listen to him. The only time I remember hearing some excitement in his voice was when the matter of urinating in space came up. Incidentally a thing I got excited about as well. I guess observed from afar those kinds of experiences are just too damn funny.
The book ends with a look at the things people did after Apollo had ended. But at this point I had mostly lost interest. I don’t remember any zero-gravity peeing happening in that chapter.
Seriously, it is a good book. But some editing should have happened here and there, and I guess a printed copy with some pictures would have been more fun.
May 1, 2009
I am not a believer in the conspiracy theory of the moon landings. There were just too many people involved, and that many people simply can't be counted upon to keep their mouths shut for all these years.
Perhaps I am a little biased, though. As an expatriate Yankee, one who is shamed and saddened by much of what my country has done, the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions are one of the few things my country did in the Twentieth Century (and so far in the Twenty-First) for which I am actually proud.
Andrew Chaikin does an exceptional job of recounting the Apollo missions, ensuring that it is not all about Neil, Buzz and "What's-his-name?" (Michael Collins, for anyone who's interested).
Indeed, the most appealing aspect of A Man on the Moon is how Chaikin puts a face on the missions and men that are far from famous, from the other astronauts to the mission controllers and even those people involved in the design and manufacture of the space crafts.
One of my favourites is the story of Harrison Schmitt, a geologist who joined the Apollo program as an astronaut in the scientist group and made his moon walk on Apollo 17. Schmitt was instrumental in the geological training of his fellow astronauts, helping to turn Gene Cernan, Dave Scott, John Young, Charles Duke and James Irwin into Lunar Field Geologists. None of the astronauts were dumb men, in fact many of them were geniuses (including a genuine rocket scientist), but turning them into geologists on top of all their other duties and concerns was a huge undertaking, and one that gave us a far better understanding of the moon's geology than we could have achieved any other way.
Another fine account is Chaikin's re-telling of the landing pad fire aboard Apollo 1, which killed Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee. It is one of the saddest moments in the history of the Apollo program, and Chaikin manages to strike a balance between respect for the fallen and the investigation that came to see the accident as a "failure of imagination." He avoids the temptation of the maudlin, and the three dead astronauts would undoubtedly have appreciated that.
If you're a space buff, especially if you're a fan of the moon missions, A Man on the Moon is a must read; and if you are coming to that landmark moment for the first time, it is the perfect book to get you started.
Perhaps I am a little biased, though. As an expatriate Yankee, one who is shamed and saddened by much of what my country has done, the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo missions are one of the few things my country did in the Twentieth Century (and so far in the Twenty-First) for which I am actually proud.
Andrew Chaikin does an exceptional job of recounting the Apollo missions, ensuring that it is not all about Neil, Buzz and "What's-his-name?" (Michael Collins, for anyone who's interested).
Indeed, the most appealing aspect of A Man on the Moon is how Chaikin puts a face on the missions and men that are far from famous, from the other astronauts to the mission controllers and even those people involved in the design and manufacture of the space crafts.
One of my favourites is the story of Harrison Schmitt, a geologist who joined the Apollo program as an astronaut in the scientist group and made his moon walk on Apollo 17. Schmitt was instrumental in the geological training of his fellow astronauts, helping to turn Gene Cernan, Dave Scott, John Young, Charles Duke and James Irwin into Lunar Field Geologists. None of the astronauts were dumb men, in fact many of them were geniuses (including a genuine rocket scientist), but turning them into geologists on top of all their other duties and concerns was a huge undertaking, and one that gave us a far better understanding of the moon's geology than we could have achieved any other way.
Another fine account is Chaikin's re-telling of the landing pad fire aboard Apollo 1, which killed Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee. It is one of the saddest moments in the history of the Apollo program, and Chaikin manages to strike a balance between respect for the fallen and the investigation that came to see the accident as a "failure of imagination." He avoids the temptation of the maudlin, and the three dead astronauts would undoubtedly have appreciated that.
If you're a space buff, especially if you're a fan of the moon missions, A Man on the Moon is a must read; and if you are coming to that landmark moment for the first time, it is the perfect book to get you started.
July 14, 2019
Revisited upon watching PBS' "Chasing The Moon" at the 50th anniversary of the moon landing.
Tells the story of the lucky few who have walked on the moon in a way that humanizes the characters and dramatizes (perhaps melodramatizes) the events. Certainly a worthy successor to Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff although this one is often more reserved and less exuberant. But by focusing on the players, the most significant feat of engineering in history is seamlessly folded into a quiet, moving human drama. We see surprising moments of humor among professional elites, and stirring family tension among wives who stayed at home stone-faced and secretly struggling to appear serene.
4 stars out of 5. It's a tad too long overall and we spend a longer time repeating a couple topics than feels necessary (interoffice politics, the selection process for who would man a given mission, the ins and outs of lunar landing simulations). I found it did not hold my interest consistently throughout, but though it could have been edited to be a bit tighter, when it's "on" it's really engrossing.
Tells the story of the lucky few who have walked on the moon in a way that humanizes the characters and dramatizes (perhaps melodramatizes) the events. Certainly a worthy successor to Tom Wolfe's The Right Stuff although this one is often more reserved and less exuberant. But by focusing on the players, the most significant feat of engineering in history is seamlessly folded into a quiet, moving human drama. We see surprising moments of humor among professional elites, and stirring family tension among wives who stayed at home stone-faced and secretly struggling to appear serene.
4 stars out of 5. It's a tad too long overall and we spend a longer time repeating a couple topics than feels necessary (interoffice politics, the selection process for who would man a given mission, the ins and outs of lunar landing simulations). I found it did not hold my interest consistently throughout, but though it could have been edited to be a bit tighter, when it's "on" it's really engrossing.
July 9, 2024
I expected this book to be an engaging recount of the Apollo missions, particularly the ones that have become household names: Apollo 11, with Neil Armstrong's historic first steps on the moon, and Apollo 13, immortalized by the dramatic tale of survival against the odds. However, what I discovered was a treasure trove that went far beyond these well-trodden stories, delving into the heart of the entire Apollo program, and offering insights into the missions that didn’t make it into the limelight but were instrumental in shaping our understanding of lunar exploration.
Andrew Chaikin's meticulous research and vivid storytelling paint a comprehensive picture of the Apollo missions, from the initial challenges and setbacks to the triumphs and scientific discoveries that each journey brought. The book is undeniably sizable, but this heft is justified. The depth and breadth of the accomplishments achieved during these missions are staggering, and Chaikin does an exceptional job of weaving these into a narrative that is as fascinating as it is informative.
One aspect of the book that stood out to me was how it illuminated the less publicized Apollo missions. The later Apollo missions were pivotal in expanding our knowledge of the moon. These missions undertook extensive scientific research, laying the groundwork for understanding not just the moon, but aspects of earth science and astrophysics. Chaikin's account of these missions is both enlightening and compelling, offering a fresh perspective on an era often viewed through a narrower lens.
The book also excels in detailing the scientific explorations conducted across the Apollo missions. Before diving into this read, I had a vague notion that the lunar landings were about planting flags and taking giant leaps for mankind. However, Chaikin brings to light the rigorous scientific work that was a central part of these missions. From geological surveys to experiments left to run on the lunar surface, the Apollo program was a groundbreaking scientific venture, and "A Man on the Moon" gives these achievements the recognition they deserve.
Perhaps what I appreciated most was witnessing, through Chaikin's narrative, how the goals and ambitions of the Apollo program evolved. It was fascinating to read about the adaptability and vision that propelled the program forward, allowing it to achieve more than what was initially imagined. This evolution reflects not just the progress of the missions but also a broader shift in our relationship with space exploration.
In conclusion, "A Man on the Moon" is more than just a recount of the Apollo program; it's a homage to human curiosity, ingenuity, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Andrew Chaikin has crafted a work that is as informative as it is captivating, making the vastness of space feel a little closer to home. Whether you're a space enthusiast or someone curious about one of humanity's greatest adventures, this book is a rewarding journey through the history, science, and spirit of the Apollo missions. I really enjoyed it.
Andrew Chaikin's meticulous research and vivid storytelling paint a comprehensive picture of the Apollo missions, from the initial challenges and setbacks to the triumphs and scientific discoveries that each journey brought. The book is undeniably sizable, but this heft is justified. The depth and breadth of the accomplishments achieved during these missions are staggering, and Chaikin does an exceptional job of weaving these into a narrative that is as fascinating as it is informative.
One aspect of the book that stood out to me was how it illuminated the less publicized Apollo missions. The later Apollo missions were pivotal in expanding our knowledge of the moon. These missions undertook extensive scientific research, laying the groundwork for understanding not just the moon, but aspects of earth science and astrophysics. Chaikin's account of these missions is both enlightening and compelling, offering a fresh perspective on an era often viewed through a narrower lens.
The book also excels in detailing the scientific explorations conducted across the Apollo missions. Before diving into this read, I had a vague notion that the lunar landings were about planting flags and taking giant leaps for mankind. However, Chaikin brings to light the rigorous scientific work that was a central part of these missions. From geological surveys to experiments left to run on the lunar surface, the Apollo program was a groundbreaking scientific venture, and "A Man on the Moon" gives these achievements the recognition they deserve.
Perhaps what I appreciated most was witnessing, through Chaikin's narrative, how the goals and ambitions of the Apollo program evolved. It was fascinating to read about the adaptability and vision that propelled the program forward, allowing it to achieve more than what was initially imagined. This evolution reflects not just the progress of the missions but also a broader shift in our relationship with space exploration.
In conclusion, "A Man on the Moon" is more than just a recount of the Apollo program; it's a homage to human curiosity, ingenuity, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. Andrew Chaikin has crafted a work that is as informative as it is captivating, making the vastness of space feel a little closer to home. Whether you're a space enthusiast or someone curious about one of humanity's greatest adventures, this book is a rewarding journey through the history, science, and spirit of the Apollo missions. I really enjoyed it.
February 14, 2018
This is not about the scientists, or the engineers, or the thousands of people that made Apollo possible. This book is about the personal lives and inner thoughts of the astronauts. And it is fascinating. Chaikin's book served as the basis for the HBO series From the Earth to the Moon, which I must now watch.
We only have a few Apollo astronauts left living. And we have not been back to the moon. Our "president" this week announced that he wanted to privatize the International Space Station, and I desperately hope that people with sense can stop that from happening. We should be going back to the moon, perhaps try and set up a permanent laboratory or something. We should be sending people to Mars, and more probes to other planets. Science and exploration are part of who we are as human beings. We shouldn't be putting price tags on these things, and they shouldn't be solely American ventures. Getting to the moon was humanity's baby steps. It's time to start walking.
We only have a few Apollo astronauts left living. And we have not been back to the moon. Our "president" this week announced that he wanted to privatize the International Space Station, and I desperately hope that people with sense can stop that from happening. We should be going back to the moon, perhaps try and set up a permanent laboratory or something. We should be sending people to Mars, and more probes to other planets. Science and exploration are part of who we are as human beings. We shouldn't be putting price tags on these things, and they shouldn't be solely American ventures. Getting to the moon was humanity's baby steps. It's time to start walking.
September 28, 2019
I have this memory, I think it was Apollo 16 back in April of 1972. The television coverage had just closed for the day and I went to the back porch of our house and looked up at the sky. It was still daylight but the moon was out and I stared with wonder and thought to myself that there were actually people up there at that very moment. I was eight years old. That is my most vivid memory of the Apollo program.
I was five when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first walked on the moon. I have no memory of it. By the time I was ten, I had memorized every stage of the trip to the moon, including the stages of the Saturn V rocket right up until the moment when the Command Module first links up with the Lunar Module and everything else all the way to splashdown. I believed then, and still believe, that it was one of the greatest adventures in all of human history.
The world mostly remembers Armstrong climbing out of the lander and onto the Sea of Tranquility, uttering those famous words, “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” We all know he meant to say “a man” but he didn’t. One thing people tend to forget is that five other missions, excluding Apollo 13, landed on the moon. In all, the Apollo Program sent twenty-four men to the moon, twelve of whom walked on it. What they did when they got there is an incredible story onto itself and one most of us don’t know very well. This book addresses that beautifully.
The author loves this subject and it shows. The story of the Apollo astronauts is far more interesting that you might think. They weren’t just a bunch of cookie-cutter flyboys. They were all, to a man, dedicated to the mission and its success, but their many divergent personalities make for a fascinating story.
As I already pointed out, I’ve been captivated by the space program since I was a kid. I knew I didn’t have the right stuff, so I never dreamed of being an astronaut myself. At that age, I dreamed of moving to the woods and living in a log cabin, like Grizzly Adams, and having adventures in the wilderness, but that’s a different story. My point is, I may be biased in favor of this subject, or maybe I’m in a good position to know that this book hits the right notes.
If you’re interested in humanity’s journey outward into space, even if, unlike me, you’re not a lifelong science fiction fan, you will still enjoy this book. It is a wonderful chronicle of the most epic voyage of modern times. When you’re done, you’ll not only have a greater appreciation for all of the missions to the moon but just maybe you too will look forward to the day when we go back there.
I was five when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin first walked on the moon. I have no memory of it. By the time I was ten, I had memorized every stage of the trip to the moon, including the stages of the Saturn V rocket right up until the moment when the Command Module first links up with the Lunar Module and everything else all the way to splashdown. I believed then, and still believe, that it was one of the greatest adventures in all of human history.
The world mostly remembers Armstrong climbing out of the lander and onto the Sea of Tranquility, uttering those famous words, “That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” We all know he meant to say “a man” but he didn’t. One thing people tend to forget is that five other missions, excluding Apollo 13, landed on the moon. In all, the Apollo Program sent twenty-four men to the moon, twelve of whom walked on it. What they did when they got there is an incredible story onto itself and one most of us don’t know very well. This book addresses that beautifully.
The author loves this subject and it shows. The story of the Apollo astronauts is far more interesting that you might think. They weren’t just a bunch of cookie-cutter flyboys. They were all, to a man, dedicated to the mission and its success, but their many divergent personalities make for a fascinating story.
As I already pointed out, I’ve been captivated by the space program since I was a kid. I knew I didn’t have the right stuff, so I never dreamed of being an astronaut myself. At that age, I dreamed of moving to the woods and living in a log cabin, like Grizzly Adams, and having adventures in the wilderness, but that’s a different story. My point is, I may be biased in favor of this subject, or maybe I’m in a good position to know that this book hits the right notes.
If you’re interested in humanity’s journey outward into space, even if, unlike me, you’re not a lifelong science fiction fan, you will still enjoy this book. It is a wonderful chronicle of the most epic voyage of modern times. When you’re done, you’ll not only have a greater appreciation for all of the missions to the moon but just maybe you too will look forward to the day when we go back there.
January 3, 2012
This review was written in the late nineties (just for myself), and it was buried in amongst my things until today, when I uncovered the journal it was written in. I have transcribed it verbatim from all those years ago (although square brackets indicate some additional information for the sake of readability). It is one of my lost reviews.
What a personally powerful book. A Man on the Moon is such a wonderful reminder of what we are capable of as a species and what wonderful things we can accomplish when we work together. I hope to see a man on the moon in my lifetime, although I doubt it will happen, which is a shame.
It never ceases to amaze me that true life figures are so impressive when their stories are told -- whether they are really impressive or not. Is this all just spin? Is it the grandeur of their accomplishments? Whatever. I love hearing tales of Crazy Horse and Custer, of Henry V or Julius Caesar or Cleopatra. But right now I most love to hear the stories of the Astronauts and Cosmonauts.
Apollo 12's tightly bound crew of Conrad, Bean and Gordon were inspiring with their camraderie; Apollo 13's near fatal accident couldn't have been dreamt up by the greatest of screenwriters; then there's my favourite, the Apollo 17 crew of Cernan, Jack Schmitt and Ronald Evans. The finest scientific achievments of the program, and a fitting end to one of the world's greatest pursuits. Chaikan's book allowed me to take part in the Apollo adventures -- for that I am grateful.
What a personally powerful book. A Man on the Moon is such a wonderful reminder of what we are capable of as a species and what wonderful things we can accomplish when we work together. I hope to see a man on the moon in my lifetime, although I doubt it will happen, which is a shame.
It never ceases to amaze me that true life figures are so impressive when their stories are told -- whether they are really impressive or not. Is this all just spin? Is it the grandeur of their accomplishments? Whatever. I love hearing tales of Crazy Horse and Custer, of Henry V or Julius Caesar or Cleopatra. But right now I most love to hear the stories of the Astronauts and Cosmonauts.
Apollo 12's tightly bound crew of Conrad, Bean and Gordon were inspiring with their camraderie; Apollo 13's near fatal accident couldn't have been dreamt up by the greatest of screenwriters; then there's my favourite, the Apollo 17 crew of Cernan, Jack Schmitt and Ronald Evans. The finest scientific achievments of the program, and a fitting end to one of the world's greatest pursuits. Chaikan's book allowed me to take part in the Apollo adventures -- for that I am grateful.
December 31, 2017
Very thorough history of the Apollo moon-landing. Chaikin is obviously very passionate about the subject-matter and his prose is pleasing to read. If you have ever wanted to know what the birth of NASA and the subsequent Apollo program is all about, I think you'd be hard pressed to do better than this book.
September 27, 2023
The Apollo program, born from John F. Kennedy's pledge that America would "commit itself, before [the] decade was out, to landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to Earth" seems to have existed in spite of itself. With spaceflight still very much in its infancy, NASA managed to pull together hundreds of thousands of people across the world, to seek out the limits of exploring space, of making it to the moon, and of returning to Earth in order to share what was seen, sought, and surveyed.
1. I ... think I liked this? There's so much information in it that I'm both reeling but also wanting more? Which is an interesting way to finish a 500+ page book, but it is what it is.
2. Chaikin's narrative focuses, primarily, on the men/missions who went to the moon (versus the holistic Apollo program), with a particular relish for the "skipper" missions—the ones that are usually skipped over during the Apollo summaries (i.e., 12, 14, 15, 16). I mostly appreciated it, since I, too, have fallen into the trap of not really considering the latter Apollo flights as anything exciting—but they were, and are: they introduced new equipment and tested new boundaries around life on the moon. Each mission had minor things adjusted or added to it or expanded within it, which makes the evolution of Apollo that much more obvious and interesting.
2.5 This focus also means there's a lot of detail about rocks in the later chapters, since that was a huge focus of Apollo 15-17: MOON GEOLOGY! SPACE DIRT! EXTRATERRESTRIAL BITS!
3. This also highlighted a major flaw of the book: no moon map to track landing sites and other areas of note.
4. I did absolutely struggle keeping all the astronauts straight, which has nothing to do with the fact that half of their last names were the first names of the other half. Also the nicknames. Just an obscene number of too-smart-for-their-own-good flyboys.
5. Still an engaging, interesting read. A definite recommend if you're interested in moon-men.
1. I ... think I liked this? There's so much information in it that I'm both reeling but also wanting more? Which is an interesting way to finish a 500+ page book, but it is what it is.
2. Chaikin's narrative focuses, primarily, on the men/missions who went to the moon (versus the holistic Apollo program), with a particular relish for the "skipper" missions—the ones that are usually skipped over during the Apollo summaries (i.e., 12, 14, 15, 16). I mostly appreciated it, since I, too, have fallen into the trap of not really considering the latter Apollo flights as anything exciting—but they were, and are: they introduced new equipment and tested new boundaries around life on the moon. Each mission had minor things adjusted or added to it or expanded within it, which makes the evolution of Apollo that much more obvious and interesting.
2.5 This focus also means there's a lot of detail about rocks in the later chapters, since that was a huge focus of Apollo 15-17: MOON GEOLOGY! SPACE DIRT! EXTRATERRESTRIAL BITS!
3. This also highlighted a major flaw of the book: no moon map to track landing sites and other areas of note.
4. I did absolutely struggle keeping all the astronauts straight, which has nothing to do with the fact that half of their last names were the first names of the other half. Also the nicknames. Just an obscene number of too-smart-for-their-own-good flyboys.
5. Still an engaging, interesting read. A definite recommend if you're interested in moon-men.
July 21, 2016
Dude, totally amazing.
Okay, so, I've owned this book for at least five years now and I kept putting off reading it because I've read a bunch of books about NASA before and also because...I mean, it's really big. When's the last time you read a nonfiction book that is 720 pages long?!? Holy shit! I mainly read YA and graphic novels these days, so it was kind of intimidating. But anyway, I think there was recently some deal where I got it for $5 on audible and I figured I'd put it off long enough, dammit! And so.
First of all, I have a huuuuuge soft spot in my heart for Bill Anders of Apollo 8 fame, being as he's a family friend and his dad was a total badass. So it was awesome to hear so much about him and his thought processes and just...impressions of what being up there was like and about what he did after. And also hear the news that there's actually official proof that he took the famous Earthrise picture, which was under much debate for a long time.
I also hadn't heard much about Apollo 12, because it's like there's 8, 11, and 13 and the rest might as well not exist, but it might be my new favorite Apollo mission. Pete Conrad sounds like a lot of fun, and they were totally struck by lighting TWICE during liftoff! Crazy!!!
And the epilogue and the afterword...so good and so sad!
Basically, I love how Chaikin wrote this. I love that he interviewed all these men in person, and spoke to them about how going to space changed them (or not). I love how he tells the story of the Mercury and Apollo programs and how focused he is on the men involved. I love how personal he makes this story, and how he brings it back to a fierce longing for us to go back to the moon, and to become a species that lives on more than one planet.
And Bronson Pinchot does an absolutely fantastic job with the narration.
Why the heck did I put this off for so long? I will probably actually read all 720 pages again someday.
Okay, so, I've owned this book for at least five years now and I kept putting off reading it because I've read a bunch of books about NASA before and also because...I mean, it's really big. When's the last time you read a nonfiction book that is 720 pages long?!? Holy shit! I mainly read YA and graphic novels these days, so it was kind of intimidating. But anyway, I think there was recently some deal where I got it for $5 on audible and I figured I'd put it off long enough, dammit! And so.
First of all, I have a huuuuuge soft spot in my heart for Bill Anders of Apollo 8 fame, being as he's a family friend and his dad was a total badass. So it was awesome to hear so much about him and his thought processes and just...impressions of what being up there was like and about what he did after. And also hear the news that there's actually official proof that he took the famous Earthrise picture, which was under much debate for a long time.
I also hadn't heard much about Apollo 12, because it's like there's 8, 11, and 13 and the rest might as well not exist, but it might be my new favorite Apollo mission. Pete Conrad sounds like a lot of fun, and they were totally struck by lighting TWICE during liftoff! Crazy!!!
And the epilogue and the afterword...so good and so sad!
Basically, I love how Chaikin wrote this. I love that he interviewed all these men in person, and spoke to them about how going to space changed them (or not). I love how he tells the story of the Mercury and Apollo programs and how focused he is on the men involved. I love how personal he makes this story, and how he brings it back to a fierce longing for us to go back to the moon, and to become a species that lives on more than one planet.
And Bronson Pinchot does an absolutely fantastic job with the narration.
Why the heck did I put this off for so long? I will probably actually read all 720 pages again someday.
May 3, 2022
This is an incredible look at the entire Apollo mission, not just the "popular" flights (1, 8, 11, 13). I really loved getting to know each of the Apollo astronauts and learning more about what each flight involved and accomplished.
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This is probably too much for a beginner in space history, but is perfect for those of us who can't read enough books about the space race!
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I listened to the audio, wonderfully narrated by Bronson Pinchot. I got A LOT of cleaning/organizing done while listening to this book, even listening at 2x speed.
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This is probably too much for a beginner in space history, but is perfect for those of us who can't read enough books about the space race!
.
I listened to the audio, wonderfully narrated by Bronson Pinchot. I got A LOT of cleaning/organizing done while listening to this book, even listening at 2x speed.
May 30, 2024
Pete Conrad is quoted on the back cover saying it picks up right where The Right Stuff left off, which is true chronologically but they are very different books. A Man on the Moon is more of a “real” book describing things as they actually happened and with less dramatization. As a result it is slightly less entertaining (especially some of the geology deep dives) but feels more substantive.
My favorite part was Apollo 12 where Pete Conrad (PU ‘53) Al Bean and Dick Gordon were just having a grand old time being best friends and enjoying each other’s company. “Years later, Bean would say, his most special memories of the flight would not be about the moon or the earth; they would be about Pete Conrad and Dick Gordon.” Quite the contrast to Mike Collins saying he felt like he hardly knew Neil and Buzz.
Fun to break out the Rover on Apollos 15-17! The astronaut stories and mission descriptions are still interesting toward the end of the program but you can see why the public lost interest… learning more about the moon’s geology and history is cool but still much less exciting than going there for the first time.
Nice part near the end: “Project Apollo remains the last great act this country has undertaken out of a sense of optimism, of looking forward to the future. That it came to fruition amid the upheaval of the sixties, alongside the carnage of the Vietnam War, only heightens the sense of irony and nostalgia, looking back twenty-five years later… Any society, if it is to flourish instead of merely survive, must strive to transcend its own limits. It is still as Kennedy said: Exploration, by virtue of difficulty, causes us to focus our abilities and make them better”
Bill Bookworm’s running NASA books ranking:
1. Carrying the Fire (first person, put you in his shoes, authentic writing style, there for the first moon landing)
2. The Right Stuff (unexpectedly hilarious)
3. A Man on the Moon (Good balance of highlights of each Apollo mission, backstories of astronauts, not funny like The Right Stuff but probably closer to reality)
4. Apollo 13 (epic story, but you could tell it’s ghost written compared to Carrying the Fire)
5. The Six (great stories worth telling, but we stay in earth’s orbit)
6. Endurance (no knock on Scott at all, great book, but less interesting content to work with)
7. Failure is Not an Option (good book, just at the bottom of a great list)
My favorite part was Apollo 12 where Pete Conrad (PU ‘53) Al Bean and Dick Gordon were just having a grand old time being best friends and enjoying each other’s company. “Years later, Bean would say, his most special memories of the flight would not be about the moon or the earth; they would be about Pete Conrad and Dick Gordon.” Quite the contrast to Mike Collins saying he felt like he hardly knew Neil and Buzz.
Fun to break out the Rover on Apollos 15-17! The astronaut stories and mission descriptions are still interesting toward the end of the program but you can see why the public lost interest… learning more about the moon’s geology and history is cool but still much less exciting than going there for the first time.
Nice part near the end: “Project Apollo remains the last great act this country has undertaken out of a sense of optimism, of looking forward to the future. That it came to fruition amid the upheaval of the sixties, alongside the carnage of the Vietnam War, only heightens the sense of irony and nostalgia, looking back twenty-five years later… Any society, if it is to flourish instead of merely survive, must strive to transcend its own limits. It is still as Kennedy said: Exploration, by virtue of difficulty, causes us to focus our abilities and make them better”
Bill Bookworm’s running NASA books ranking:
1. Carrying the Fire (first person, put you in his shoes, authentic writing style, there for the first moon landing)
2. The Right Stuff (unexpectedly hilarious)
3. A Man on the Moon (Good balance of highlights of each Apollo mission, backstories of astronauts, not funny like The Right Stuff but probably closer to reality)
4. Apollo 13 (epic story, but you could tell it’s ghost written compared to Carrying the Fire)
5. The Six (great stories worth telling, but we stay in earth’s orbit)
6. Endurance (no knock on Scott at all, great book, but less interesting content to work with)
7. Failure is Not an Option (good book, just at the bottom of a great list)
May 7, 2022
This was a great overview of the Apollo program! I thought the author did a good job of making the book read almost like a string of memoirs from the different space missions. Also I had no idea what Apollo 13 was going into this and it is bananas! I can't believe that was never taught in school
June 3, 2021
A Great book
A book that goes very deep into the astronauts' experiences. The focus is on the astronauts and on the Apollo flights. There's not much information about the previous Gemini or Mercury programs and even the progress of Apollo program is only lightly covered between Apollo 1 and 8. There are plenty of technical jargon and talk about things like mascons and breccias but it's only through the pilots and flights why they're covered. Major players of ground crew get some exposure but one might want to have some previous knowledge of the whole space adventure before diving into this book. Even the movie Apollo 13 might be enough to get the idea what's happening. Even though I'm quite familiar of the whole Saturn V and the phases of the flight, I still missed some sort of technical pictures to make it more clear.
Chaikin has gone a long way interviewing a lot of the pilots and ground crew to build this narrative and it is in most part very easy to read. You get to know the pilots' and how they became astronauts and what they thought about the whole journey or what they were doing in different parts of missions. All in all the coverage is very balanced with all Apollo Flights getting enough about them to understand what made each flight special, it would've been easy to go on about 1, 8, 11 and 13 but there's plenty to read and quite interesting things about even the last 4 flights. The descriptions of moonwalks in Apollos 15-17 were quite enthralling.
A book that goes very deep into the astronauts' experiences. The focus is on the astronauts and on the Apollo flights. There's not much information about the previous Gemini or Mercury programs and even the progress of Apollo program is only lightly covered between Apollo 1 and 8. There are plenty of technical jargon and talk about things like mascons and breccias but it's only through the pilots and flights why they're covered. Major players of ground crew get some exposure but one might want to have some previous knowledge of the whole space adventure before diving into this book. Even the movie Apollo 13 might be enough to get the idea what's happening. Even though I'm quite familiar of the whole Saturn V and the phases of the flight, I still missed some sort of technical pictures to make it more clear.
Chaikin has gone a long way interviewing a lot of the pilots and ground crew to build this narrative and it is in most part very easy to read. You get to know the pilots' and how they became astronauts and what they thought about the whole journey or what they were doing in different parts of missions. All in all the coverage is very balanced with all Apollo Flights getting enough about them to understand what made each flight special, it would've been easy to go on about 1, 8, 11 and 13 but there's plenty to read and quite interesting things about even the last 4 flights. The descriptions of moonwalks in Apollos 15-17 were quite enthralling.
April 28, 2018
600 pages of the Apollo missions as experienced by the astronauts. There's almost no engineering, politics, etc. But the stories are very readable, and you'll learn the differences between Apollos 12-17.
"How could the most futuristic thing humans have ever done be so far in the past?"
"How could the most futuristic thing humans have ever done be so far in the past?"
August 27, 2019
As a young boy in the mid-1960’s I was fascinated with the space program. My father would make sure not to miss any of the live broadcasts of the manned launches (which seemed to always be impossibly early in the morning), and I insisted that he wake me in time to see them also. The excitement that I felt then, as I imagined myself seated inside the tiny capsule at the top of a huge and powerful rocket, still reverberates in me today when I think back on it.
I was 10 years old when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon. I truly felt that this “giant leap for mankind” represented not so much the culmination and achievement of a hard-fought, eight-year goal, but more of a new beginning of a far more wondrous and adventurous future. It inspired me to want to be an active participant in the shaping of that future.
Unfortunately, the future I envisioned and hoped for (and which showcased itself spectacularly in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey) never materialized. The last manned lunar flight was 47 years ago, in 1972. Today, of the 12 men who walked on the moon, only four are still alive. Of the additional 14 men who went to the moon without setting foot on it, only eight are still living. All of these living lunar explorers are now very old. I feel fortunate to have witnessed such a unique and great achievement in my lifetime. But, as NASA administrator George Low said to retiring lunar astronaut Stu Roosa, “You know, there will never be another Apollo in anybody’s life.”
I loved this book, even though I loved Carrying the Fire by Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins just a bit more. Focusing on the separate missions of project Apollo and on the lives of its astronauts and NASA administrators, A Man on the Moon sucked me in and kept me enthralled for the duration. Like the manned lunar missions themselves, I did not want this book to end.
My favorite passage relates the thoughts of Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders after he had just seen and photographed the earth as no human had ever done before – in its entirety, from the distance of the moon:
I mourn the fact that in the half century since then it seems humanity has forgotten (or perhaps it never really registered with most of us in the first place) what a unique, special, isolated, and fragile planet we all live on and on which we all depend – for everything.
I was 10 years old when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the moon. I truly felt that this “giant leap for mankind” represented not so much the culmination and achievement of a hard-fought, eight-year goal, but more of a new beginning of a far more wondrous and adventurous future. It inspired me to want to be an active participant in the shaping of that future.
Unfortunately, the future I envisioned and hoped for (and which showcased itself spectacularly in the movie 2001: A Space Odyssey) never materialized. The last manned lunar flight was 47 years ago, in 1972. Today, of the 12 men who walked on the moon, only four are still alive. Of the additional 14 men who went to the moon without setting foot on it, only eight are still living. All of these living lunar explorers are now very old. I feel fortunate to have witnessed such a unique and great achievement in my lifetime. But, as NASA administrator George Low said to retiring lunar astronaut Stu Roosa, “You know, there will never be another Apollo in anybody’s life.”
Today, at the NASA space centers in Houston and Florida, the Saturn Vs for Apollo 18 and 19 [both missions canceled] lie on tourist stands, like unfinished obelisks, reminders of a time that seems now as remote as the moon itself. Across the distance of a [half] century, Apollo is an anomaly. There was a rare confluence of historical forces in 1961: A perceived threat to national prestige from the Soviet Union was met by a dynamic leader, John Kennedy, and economic prosperity allowed him to launch a massive effort to demonstrate America’s capabilities. The moon was the ideal target – close enough to reach, audacious enough to capture the imagination.
… from 1961 to 1972, the objective was as clear and inspiring as any you could ask for. You had only to go outside at night and look at it.
I loved this book, even though I loved Carrying the Fire by Apollo 11 astronaut Michael Collins just a bit more. Focusing on the separate missions of project Apollo and on the lives of its astronauts and NASA administrators, A Man on the Moon sucked me in and kept me enthralled for the duration. Like the manned lunar missions themselves, I did not want this book to end.
My favorite passage relates the thoughts of Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders after he had just seen and photographed the earth as no human had ever done before – in its entirety, from the distance of the moon:
On his way into a fitful sleep, Anders began to realize: We came all this way to explore the moon, and the most important thing is that we discovered the earth.
I mourn the fact that in the half century since then it seems humanity has forgotten (or perhaps it never really registered with most of us in the first place) what a unique, special, isolated, and fragile planet we all live on and on which we all depend – for everything.
August 19, 2025
“The moon landing isn’t real”… I remember thinking that, too! When i was twelve. Just say you don’t understand the science and effort put into the Apollo missions !!
Very boring yet informative in all the best ways. Once you look past the Christian nationalism sprinkled in, you get a fantastic tale of our journey(s) to the moon 🌕🚀✨
Very boring yet informative in all the best ways. Once you look past the Christian nationalism sprinkled in, you get a fantastic tale of our journey(s) to the moon 🌕🚀✨
August 23, 2024
3.77 stars. I was apprehensive to take on this one as I wasn’t sure my level of interest in Apollo space program history matched that of 688 pages. Turns out, I found much of this to be pretty darn interesting, except for the dry geology chapters… maybe Sheldon was right about geology.
July 23, 2019
I got this for Christmas and it was all I could do not to sit sit down and read the whole thing from cover to cover, enormous though it is. I’ve been a space nut since I was very small (wait, I am still very small) and this book is just a joy. It describes NASA’s Apollo program in great detail, going through each mission from the disastrous beginnings through to the six Moon landings. While sometimes bogged down by technical language and military customs, it does a great job of explaining how it all succeeded and introducing all the people who made it happen. The actual moon landings are exhilarating to read about and each mission comes with so many problems overcome that you can understand why we’ve never been back (yet), though reading about NASA’s plans at the time for moon bases and manned missions to Mars makes me so sad. The book is also the source material for HBO’s rather great TV series From the Earth to the Moon, which is well worth checking out. My only disappointment is that Chaikin hasn’t yet done a book about the Shuttle missions – come on man, get to it!*
*This is a joke, before anyone has a go at me. I'm actually way more impressed he's helping with current NASA missions and happy to wait.
*This is a joke, before anyone has a go at me. I'm actually way more impressed he's helping with current NASA missions and happy to wait.
July 31, 2011
This is the true story of what was – arguably – the greatest technological and engineering achievement of the twentieth century. (No less a commentator that Arthur C. Clarke said that the moon landings will be the defining moment of our age that will be remembered in a thousand years time!) Anybody that doubts the genuine significance of the moon landings upon our understanding of the formation of the solar system and how the universe works should read this book. If you are one of those people that believe that the moon landings were faked (shame on you!) then reading this will demonstrate the true ingenuity of all those involved with the Apollo programme and the risks that the astronauts were prepared to take for the advancement of knowledge and exploration; some of whom paid the ultimate price during their quest. If I had to fault this book I would say that it is not the definitive and exhaustive history of the Apollo missions: my search shall continue.
September 9, 2012
This is the "go to" book for nearly all things related to the Apollo Program for the average person interested in one of the greatest achievements of human history and the faces that made the trip. If you can only afford one book about Apollo, this is it. One reviewer seems to think that there may not be enough actual "political background" and "engineering" involved with this account. I read aviation and engineering books more often than not and this is not a book on the in depth engineering involved with the Apollo Program....nor was it intended to be. It certainly isn't meant to involve the politics or Cold War history that was running concurrent to the Apollo Program. I'm not sure what the other reviewer was expecting. He may be better served reading a text on Advanced Physics, Advanced Geometry, Advanced Calculus, the NASA mission briefs, the NASA flight logs and the Communist Manifesto if "A Man on the Moon" wasn't working for him.
March 11, 2019
A must read for all space nerds.
A Man On The Moon traces the history of the entire Apollo program, from the Apollo 1 fire to the Apollo 17 splashdown. I knew a lot about Apollo 8, 11, 13, and 17 from reading mission-specific books and memoirs, so I most enjoyed learning about other, lesser known missions. Chaikin did a solid job of providing background on all missions without providing so much detail that I couldn’t retain any of it.
I also enjoyed hearing about what the Apollo astronauts have been doing since they went to the moon. Once you’ve had the best job in the world, what do you do next? Nearly all the astronauts struggled with their post-Apollo positions, and hearing how they pushed through and overcame was almost as inspiring as the missions themselves.
A Man On The Moon traces the history of the entire Apollo program, from the Apollo 1 fire to the Apollo 17 splashdown. I knew a lot about Apollo 8, 11, 13, and 17 from reading mission-specific books and memoirs, so I most enjoyed learning about other, lesser known missions. Chaikin did a solid job of providing background on all missions without providing so much detail that I couldn’t retain any of it.
I also enjoyed hearing about what the Apollo astronauts have been doing since they went to the moon. Once you’ve had the best job in the world, what do you do next? Nearly all the astronauts struggled with their post-Apollo positions, and hearing how they pushed through and overcame was almost as inspiring as the missions themselves.
January 9, 2020
The book that was used by Ron Howard, et al to make the Apollo 13 movie!
I got this book as part of a space-themed Humble Audiobook Bundle. As I was choosing the next audiobook I'd listen to whenever I ran out of podcast, I decided to go for non-fiction book. And so I started my journey through a couple decades of NASA history. Once things get going (ie the men are on their way to the moon), Chaikin does an excellent job of switching POVs throughout the mission to give us some insight into each man's thoughts, challenges, and even prank ideas. Since hacks/hackers originate with the MIT train team and the Stanford/Caltech student pranks, it's no surprise that NASA missions had the same kinds of Easter Eggs one finds in video games (especially in the more wild-west era of video game development before everything became AAA multi-million dollar games in the late 90s; of course with the re-emergence of indie games you're seeing them again). As examples, there were jokes embedded in their instruction manuals, various parts of the spaceships, or in coded messages back and forth with NASA HQ.
As someone born a generation too late, with the much less exciting Hubble, Spacelab, MIR, etc in my lifetime, Chaikin did a great job of both putting me into the mindset of America at the time and humanizing the astronauts. (Like the best historians do for the Founding Fathers we always learn about from a distance in school). If you're interested in NASA history, I think it's harder to find a better recommendation than this book.
I got this book as part of a space-themed Humble Audiobook Bundle. As I was choosing the next audiobook I'd listen to whenever I ran out of podcast, I decided to go for non-fiction book. And so I started my journey through a couple decades of NASA history. Once things get going (ie the men are on their way to the moon), Chaikin does an excellent job of switching POVs throughout the mission to give us some insight into each man's thoughts, challenges, and even prank ideas. Since hacks/hackers originate with the MIT train team and the Stanford/Caltech student pranks, it's no surprise that NASA missions had the same kinds of Easter Eggs one finds in video games (especially in the more wild-west era of video game development before everything became AAA multi-million dollar games in the late 90s; of course with the re-emergence of indie games you're seeing them again). As examples, there were jokes embedded in their instruction manuals, various parts of the spaceships, or in coded messages back and forth with NASA HQ.
As someone born a generation too late, with the much less exciting Hubble, Spacelab, MIR, etc in my lifetime, Chaikin did a great job of both putting me into the mindset of America at the time and humanizing the astronauts. (Like the best historians do for the Founding Fathers we always learn about from a distance in school). If you're interested in NASA history, I think it's harder to find a better recommendation than this book.
April 11, 2022
23 hours of space nonfiction and I don't think my attention wavered once while I was listening. I did take my time with it, listening over probably 2 months, but always was eager to come back. Just a really great read that is on the longer side but definitely not too long.
I really loved that Chaikin covered the entire Apollo age with an eye towards balance: the details and eccentricities of each particular mission are always held up to the overarching narrative of the Apollo program as a whole, which is super important because each flight builds on the ones that came before it. So, at the end, I feel like I've got a much better understanding of spaceflight history. The chapters on missions like 8, 11, and 13 are obviously longer and more in depth, but I was especially surprised how fascinating the more science focused later missions were!
The writing is also just really good - the exciting parts were exciting! The moving bits were moving. What really made it for me was the experiences of the astronauts - it's very human. This is really not that technical, although now I kind of want to see what's written about the geology of the moon. Like did you know that NASA just opened up some samples from Apollo 17?? They set them aside for 50 years until science had advanced. So cool. I read a bunch about Martian geology after watching some of Mike Brown's lectures - apparently I'm into geology now?
Anyway thanks for reading my moon thoughts!
I really loved that Chaikin covered the entire Apollo age with an eye towards balance: the details and eccentricities of each particular mission are always held up to the overarching narrative of the Apollo program as a whole, which is super important because each flight builds on the ones that came before it. So, at the end, I feel like I've got a much better understanding of spaceflight history. The chapters on missions like 8, 11, and 13 are obviously longer and more in depth, but I was especially surprised how fascinating the more science focused later missions were!
The writing is also just really good - the exciting parts were exciting! The moving bits were moving. What really made it for me was the experiences of the astronauts - it's very human. This is really not that technical, although now I kind of want to see what's written about the geology of the moon. Like did you know that NASA just opened up some samples from Apollo 17?? They set them aside for 50 years until science had advanced. So cool. I read a bunch about Martian geology after watching some of Mike Brown's lectures - apparently I'm into geology now?
Anyway thanks for reading my moon thoughts!
November 21, 2020
Took me a long, long time to get through this one. I read more than I ever thought I would about the Apollo missions, and most likely will retain little of it. It was a great read for space nerds, glad I read it.
November 25, 2024
Excellent read if you have any interest in the topic at all.
October 24, 2024
So entertaining! History that is compelling, as you live each Apollo mission. Filled with fascinating facts as well as emotional views of the exploration, I loved the whole thing.
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