In the Shadow of the Moon: America, Russia, and the Hidden History of the Space Race

by Amy Cherrix

You’ve heard of the space race, but do you know the whole story?

The most ambitious race humankind has ever undertaken was masterminded in the shadows by two engineers on opposite sides of the Cold War: Wernher von Braun, a former Nazi officer living in the US, and Sergei Korolev, a Russian rocket designer once jailed for crimes against his country—and your textbooks probably never told you.

These two brilliant but controversial rocketeers never met, yet together they reshaped spaceflight and warfare. From Stalin’s brutal gulags and Hitler’s concentration camps to Cape Canaveral and beyond, their simultaneous quests pushed science—and human ingenuity—to the breaking point.

Von Braun became an American hero, recognized the world over, while Korolev toiled in obscurity. But as each of these men altered human history, they were eclipsed by their troubled pasts, living out their lives in the shadow of the same moon that drove them to such astonishing feats of scientific achievement.

From Amy Cherrix comes the extraordinary hidden story of the space race and the bitter rivalry that took humankind to the moon.

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Science, Politics, Audiobook, Historical, Space

322 pages, Hardcover

First published February 9, 2021

Reviews

[JG (Introverted Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was fascinated to read Ms. Cherrix's account of two opposing rocket engineers in the US/USSR space race and the ethical dilemmas surrounding them. I'm writing this from notes I just found a year after finishing the book so I'll just list my bullet points.

* I found the contrast between the two engineers to be interesting. Wernher von Braun was a former SS officer who was brought to the US in the aftermath of WWII to develop rockets for our part in the space race. During his time in Germany, his rocket program directly benefited from the labor of concentration camp prisoners. When he arrived in the US, his background was deliberately hidden but he and his advancements were celebrated. In contrast, Sergei Korolev was the lead engineer for the Soviets. He served six years in a gulag before he was raised to that position. He was sort of hidden from sight even after he took his leadership role. But after their deaths, the opposite happened--the US buried its association with von Braun and the Soviets celebrated Korolev.

* I liked reading more about Operation Paperclip, the program by which the US quietly brought in top German scientists after WWII, regardless of their status within the Nazi party. I'd only come across a reference to it one time before, in a review for a science fiction graphic novel, of all places. There are some ethical thorns to chew over in that program, for sure.

* I've read Moon Shot and a couple of other American space books so I was already fairly familiar with our history, though I don't remember reading about von Braun before. The Soviet history was newer to me and interesting.

* At the end, the author visits the Peenemünde Historical Technical Museum in Germany, which invites visitors to weigh the question of whether von Braun's contributions outweighed the damage he caused as an SS officer. She invites her readers to weigh the same question. Her answer seems clear but she does refrain from sharing it explicitly. There's lots of room for thoughtful discussion here. The author provides background throughout the book for some of it (How much did he know about concentration camps? When did he know it? Why did he join the Nazi party? etc.) There's also room for discussion about space travel in general. (Is the cost of space travel worth it when we have so many unaddressed problems on earth?) In that vein, I do wish the author had included some details of how space technology has addressed some of our more terrestrial problems.

* This is a small thing but as someone who loathes books where the dog dies, I found it saddening to see a picture of Laika, the first animal to orbit the earth. It was a one way trip for her. The author shares details of her vital signs on the mission and her probable cause of death, which just broke my heart. It will bother others who are sensitive to animal deaths too.

This book is an interesting read about two complicated men in a complicated time. I found it fascinating to read on my own but it would also be a great choice for a book group or classroom discussion.

[Cav · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the Shadow of the Moon was an interesting short read.

Amy Cherrix is the author of a few books, including two middle-grade nonfiction books in the Scientists in the Field series: Backyard Bears: Conservation, Habitat Changes, and the Rise of Urban Wildlife and Eye of the Storm: NASA, Drones, and the Race to Crack the Hurricane Code.

Amy Cherrix:


The writing here follows two characters central to the space race; Wernher von Braun, a former Nazi officer living in the US, and Russian Sergei Korolev. Cherrix gives the reader some historical context and background to this story in the first pages; including a brief history of the early lives of both von Braun and Korolev.

Wernher von Braun was famously brought to the United States after the end of the Second World War via Operation Paperclip. Sergei Korolev spent almost 5 years labouring in a Russian Gulag in the far north-east region of Kolyma, where he suffered from near-fatal malnutrition and injuries from interrogations and torture; including a heart condition, a seriously broken jaw, and losing most of his teeth.





Although In the Shadow of the Moon was marketed more towards young adults, it is perfectly suitable for adults, as well. Cherrix tells this story in a concise and engaging manner; giving the reader a very clear summary of the players and events central to this story.
Cherrix did a great job of producing a readable book with this one.

The book features many historical pictures, which really helped bring context to the reader. I've included a few of them here. I always appreciate when books include pictures; prefferably presented along with the related writing, and not at the very end of the book.


In the Shadow of the Moon briefly covers the first animal in space, the small Russian dog, Laika:


Also included here was a bit of writing about "Chimp Number 65", also known as "Ham", "Ham the Chimp" and "Ham the Astrochimp". Ham was a chimpanzee and the first hominid launched into space. On January 31, 1961, Ham flew a suborbital flight on the Mercury-Redstone 2 mission, part of the U.S. space program's Project Mercury.

Tragically, and in contrast to the public recognition enjoyed by Wernher von Braun, Sergei Korolev would not receive official public recognition for his pioneering work until after his early death; aged 59 years. Cherrix writes:

"On January 16, Pravda, the Soviet newspaper, announced publicly, for the first time, the long-held secret identity of chief designer Sergei Pavlovich Korolev. Leonid Brezhnev, who had replaced Nikita Khrushchev as the new Soviet premier in 1964, decided that the chief designer’s name could finally be revealed. His obituary was published along with his photograph. The once-invisible man materialized before the world..."

Strangely enough, Cherrix begins the book with a somewhat tone-deaf dedication:

"This book is dedicated to the memory of those who suffered and died under fascism and to the future generations who must stand vigilant against its resurgences."

- While remembering the victims of fascism is surely a nice sentiment, there was no word from Cherrix on remembering the millions of people who died under communism, though, or the dangers of it resurfacing...
She also managed to add some disparaging remarks about President Donald Trump in here (somehow) that were completely superfluous and irrelevant to the broader story. I'm not sure why Cherrix felt she even needed to include this in the book, as it certainly detracted from my enjoyment of it.

I really dislike when authors inject their personal political opinions into books about history and science. Just tell the story, and leave the narrative out.
This seems especially suspect when considering that this book is aimed at a young, impressionable middle-school audience. Ironically, the author included a blurb about propaganda in here, seemingly not realizing that she has added her own political propaganda to this story...

In the "Author's Note" at the end of the book, Cherrix asks this question:

"Was Wernher von Braun a genius worthy of praise for his role in the space race, or was he a privileged man who never suffered any consequences for the lives lost in pursuit of his dream?"

- It's interesting that people seem to have an inborn desire to sort the world and other people into a black-or-white, "good" or "bad" paradigm. Wernher von Braun, like many other historical figures, can be painted as either good or bad, or both . History is never tidy, as Antony Beevor once said, and people are rarely black or white...

Despite the criticisms above, In the Shadow of the Moon was still a well-written and presented book that I enjoyed. Its short length makes it a great reference guide.
I would have rated this one 5 stars, but the addition of the author's irrelevant political opinions brings my rating down to 4 stars.

[Gary Anderson]

Amy Cherrix frames the space race between the United States and the Soviet Union through dual biographies of the engineering geniuses behind each nation’s space program: Werner von Braun and Sergei Kosolev. In the Shadow of the Moon shows how both men were fascinated by rocketry in their early years, just as they were also swept up in the events surrounding World War II. Von Braun was a Nazi officer who defected to the United States, and Kosolev spent years in the Soviet Gulag prison system charged with dissidence. Alternating chapters show von Braun and Kosolev working within the systems of their respective governments to put humans into space and bring them safely back to Earth. Although much of the story is fairly common knowledge, Cherrix uses recently declassified documents from both America and Russia to add details that the governments intended to keep secret. Short, fast-paced chapters convey the drama of the rivalry while explaining the science in accessible terms.

Cherrix also keeps a focus on the ethical issues underpinning the space race. The rocket systems used for space exploration were first designed to deliver weapons of mass destruction. Do the eventual scientific discoveries justify the proliferation of weaponry manufactured for the purpose of mutually assured destruction? Werner von Braun, a Nazi officer who used concentration camp prisoners as slave labor in the manufacturing of rocket systems, was given preferential immigration treatment by the American government and never held accountable for his role in the atrocities in which he was complicit. When do the ends justify the means?

In the Shadow of the Moon is an excellent young adult nonfiction choice for readers interested in military history or science, and especially for those young people sporting NASA and space camp apparel.

[SRL-0011 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Russia and Germany and how each country contributed knowledge of their want to use rockets as a means of getting into space. This book especially tells the history of Von Braun and his early dealings with Hitler and the Nazi party. I have always heard his name in accordance with the history of NASA but I never heard the story about his move to escape the Nazi era and his acceptance into helping the U.S. space program and NASA. Interesting how little bits of history were hidden about the men behind the space program. This book also shows how animals were used as the first living things put into space and how women were 'shielded" from letting it be known that they also were part in helping attain the achievement of what we have achieved through the space program. Very good read that brings out all the past history that has shaped the space program. Good or bad it happened and benefits were achieved. Especially liked the story of Von Braun, good or evil, we will never truly know. His intelligence was used not for destruction but for the love of conquering space travel as we know it today.

[Hunter Bartley · Rating 1 out of 5]

20/100 The first and last thing I want to say about this book is that it is supposed to be historical, non-fiction. The bias in this book is blatant and should be checked. This book should be based entirely on facts. When you let bias get in the way, you start losing those facts and the truth.

[Richie Partington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richie’s Picks: IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON: AMERICA. RUSSIA, AND THE HIDDEN HISTORY OF THE SPACE RACE by Amy Cherrix, HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray, February 2021, 336p., ISBN: 978-0-06-288875-4

“What goes up, must come down”
-- David Clayton-Thomas, “Spinning Wheel” (the #2 top song when the Eagle landed on the moon in 1969)

I vividly recall that night at Boy Scout camp in Gloversville, NY. We were sitting around the dining hall long after dark, munching snacks and watching a small TV, as Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon’s surface and made history.

The space race that led up to that moment is the subject of IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON. Author Amy Cherrix frames the often-deadly race between the U.S. and the U.S.S.R. as a competition between two dynamic, enigmatic engineers. The Russians had Sergei Korolev, who had suffered in prison, under Stalin, and whose identity was heavily guarded. The Americans had Wernher von Braun, whose background was, likewise, long hidden from the American public--with good reason:

“On July 20, 1969, seventeen days after the second failed N-1 rocket launch in the Soviet Union, Von Braun prepared to watch as his lifelong dream of space travel came true. America was about to attempt the world’s first moon landing. It was the realization of Wernher von Braun’s boyhood vision of building a spaceship. He had doodled its likeness in a school notebook. To secure funding for his rocket research, he had agreed to join the Nazi party and become an officer in Hiter’s SS. As his critics would later argue, this dream was von Braun’s justification for tuning a blind eye to the atrocities at the Nazi’s Mittelwerk V-2 factory. It was the reason he risked his life by betraying the Nazis to surrender to the United States at the end of World War II. During those early, dry Fort Bliss years, it had been his sustaining hope, before the US government opened its mind--and its wallet--to the possibilities of spaceflight. In exchange for his expertise and the V-2 technology, his status as a Nazi officer had been buried within classified documents. Every choice he had made had led to this moment, when his rocket would send humankind to the moon. Twenty-four years after arriving in the United States, Wernher von Braun was considered by many to be an American hero.”

There is plenty to ponder and discuss about the Faustian bargains entered into by the two superpowers in order to win this race.

“In less time than it took for Yangel to take a drag from his cigarette, the rocket’s fuel tank detonated.”

And when you are working with some of the most explosive substances known to man, things could--and often did--go wrong. Control towers were located miles from launch pads for good reason. In one of the most haunting accidents described by the author, The Russians were employing a particularly volatile fuel in 1960 when an “electrical error” led to a three-thousand-degree inferno that instantly incinerated 126 people working at a launchpad.

There are also lighter-hearted moments, like Alan Shepard surviving peeing in his spacesuit when his 1961 fifteen minute flight into space was delayed for hours due to engineering difficulties.

All in all, this is a great piece of American history that will appeal to many kids who otherwise wouldn’t be caught dead reading history books. It will also be embraced by tomorrow’s dreamers and doers who imagine the limitlessness of the universe we inhabit and want a shot at helping explore the unknown.

It’s a true story that I lived through, and whose telling really moved me.

Richie Partington, MLIS
Richie's Picks http://richiespicks.pbworks.com
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[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fascinating book. I love when history and science collide. I've read about the moon landing before but didn't know much about the history behind it. This book explores the two men who dominated the space race - Werner Von Braun who was a former Nazi brought to the US through Operation Paperclip, and Sergei Korolev, a Russian rocket designer who had spent time in a Gulag under Stalin's rule. The Soviets obscured Korolev's achievements for decades, while Von Braun, an actual Nazi was honored (even still today) for his contribution to space technology.

The writing was solid and I learned a lot of new information. I knew about Operation Paperclip, but I hadn't heard of Von Braun. I appreciate the questions this book raised - should we honor someone who has been complicit in terrible things?

This is definitely worth picking up and adding to your children's history studies!

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I never really thought about the Space Race - and now I have questions and things I want to research. I like the question Cherrix leaves you with about morality vs technology advancement…

[Clarissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was hoping for a more engaging writing style, but I learned a lot and it was all very interesting.

[Fiona · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF because I am unable to ignore the weird condescending ignorance of this book, as though the author lives in fluffy bunny land and doesn't understand government brutality and oppression, or what war actually means to those caught in it. I threw in the towel when it was intimated that Sergei Korolev, a Soviet scientist (who had, the book tells us, just spent 6 years in various gulags where he had been subjected to beatings that resulted in him no longer being able to fully open his mouth and living conditions which caused him to develop life-long heart issues) should simply have refused to co-operate with his government. Also, he didn't immediately return to his family when he was released "for reasons that remain unclear", completely ignoring real life in Communist Russia in the mid-twentieth century, especially for someone with Korolev's skills and knowledge.

Not recommended, at all.

[Anne Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a slow starter for me. The beginnings of the space race started in Germany during WWII. At the end of the war the USA and Russia seemed to divy up all the knowledge and people involved with the rocketry effort from Germany, including the people. By the time the story got to Sputnik I found my interest increasing. By the end of the book I found myself reading passage out loud to my husband.

Every high school and public library should get a copy of this book, even if it isn't a most popular reading choice for teens.

[Patti Sabik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow. I learned so much from this quick, fast-paced read about the race to space and the cold war. Brief but comprehensive overview of how Nazi Germany, Russia, and the U.S. (and two individuals in particular) proved to be critical in the rise of rockets, space exploration, and cold war relations. So much information was classified and/or camouflaged from the public in the late 1960s and as we piece this history puzzle together now we see such a different picture emerge. Truly interesting for even those readers who are not history or space enthusiasts. Told in an exciting and page-turning manner sure to entice most middle schoolers and up.

[Becky B · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look at the Cold War and arms/space race between the USA and Russia that focuses on the rocket engineers who played huge roles behind the scenes, Werner von Braun and Sergei Korolev.

Most of the books about the Cold War and the space race focus on the astronauts and cosmonauts, but this one looks at the rocket engineers and how they came to be at the forefront of their respective countries design programs. It also points out the big ties between the space race and the arms race of the Cold War. Werner von Braun was a Nazi who designed the V-2 and he surrendered to the US to avoid being captured by the Soviets. It is up for debate whether he was a victim of his time just trying to survive or an active part of the Nazi machine. Sergei Korolev was labeled an enemy of the state for not denouncing a colleague and spent several years in a Siberian gulag before being brought back to civilization to help lead his country's arms race after WWII. He was also a complex man, not always easy to get along with, and who had to live in the shadows (the USSR hid him from the spotlight until his death). The book definitely highlights the complexity of people and that being a genius may not necessarily equate with being a hero, or that the hero status can depend on your perspective. An interesting look at a different side of this bit of history.

Notes on content: One minor swear in a quote. No sexual content. It mentioned that Alan Shepherd was a bit of a player and John Glenn told him off for having affairs, but no details. Deaths and suffering in WWII concentration camps and Russian gulags are mentioned. Deaths in accidents in both the Russian and American space programs up to the US moon landing are mentioned. Animals sent into space are mentioned, and the suffering and death some faced is brought up.

[Stephanie Bange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cherrix has done a splendid job of detailing the history of the space race, focusing on the parallel lives of the two men who provided the vision for their country's rush to the moon - Wernher von Braun (US) and Sergei Korolev (USSR). Readers will come away with the realization that the US was the first to the moon because of von Braun's drive for an intentional planned path to space travel, whereas Korolev was forced by his government to use skip steps and jump through hoops to pull off showy demonstrations of USSR "superiority".

Cherrix's narrative expository writing is smooth and suspenseful, making each space milestone personal for the reader. She makes liberal use of sidebars and photographs to tell the story about the people involved in the transition of the rocketry from use as weapons of war to exploration of outer space as a political device. She leaves it up to readers to decide how von Braun should be considered in history. This is one compelling read. Backmatter includes an author's note, extensive bibliography of sources used, end notes/footnote citations, and an index.

Fans of Steve Shenkein's Bomb: The Race to Build--and Steal--the World's Most Dangerous Weapon (Roaring Brook, c2018) will enjoy this book as well.

Highly Recommended for grades 7-9.

[NCHS Library]

Publisher's Description: An exhilarating dive into the secret history of humankind's race to the moon, from acclaimed author Amy Cherrix. This fascinating and immersive read is perfect for fans of Steve Sheinkin's Bomb and M. T. Anderson's Symphony for the City of the Dead.

You've heard of the space race, but do you know the whole story?

The most ambitious race humankind has ever undertaken was masterminded in the shadows by two engineers on opposite sides of the Cold War--Wernher von Braun, a former Nazi officer living in the US, and Sergei Korolev, a Russian rocket designer once jailed for crimes against his country--and your textbooks probably never told you.

Von Braun became an American hero, recognized the world over, while Korolev toiled in obscurity. These two brilliant rocketeers never met, but together they shaped the science of spaceflight and redefined modern warfare. From Stalin's brutal Gulag prisons and Hitler's concentration camps to Cape Canaveral and beyond, their simultaneous quests pushed science--and human ingenuity--to the breaking point.

From Amy Cherrix comes the extraordinary hidden story of the space race and the bitter rivalry that launched humankind to the moon.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting take on the space race, which looks at von Braun and Korolev in the context of their entire lives and ambitions and also the political settings of the programs they spearheaded. America was unambiguously ready to overlook von Braun's Nazi past, including his involvement in horrific slave labor factories and the atrocities inside. Korolev's loyalty to his country overlooked the prison camps that forever marked his health and where he saw many innocents die.

Both countries used space exploration as part of propaganda, which twisted the science around -- Russia hid hundreds of deaths, America skipped past sustainability to go for big scores, and only now can we find out more about what decisions were made and why, from details of how much SS involvement von Braun had to how many Russians were killed by poor judgement from their supervisors. It's a really interesting take using a lot of new information from Russia that gave me new facts and new dilemmas to ponder.

[Daniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The cover is so good it made me want to listen to the book. I don't know if the edition of the book I listened to was audible. I knew about Wernher von Braun but, had never considered who headed the Russian side of the space race.

I knew about project paperclip, V2 rockets, but, I never knew that forced labor built those V2 rockets, or that there were questions about Von Brun's past was he as Nazi or did he join the party because he had to.

One part of the book that interested me a lot was Sputnik and the competition between the I think it was the Army and Navy over the building of a us satellite. If I understand it right the US could have launched before sputnik.

I am sure there is more about the book I like and I am sure I did not remember as much of it as I want to but, space flight is something I want to learn more about. I thought this book was pretty good.

[Terry]

The author presents biographical information on both men that allows the reader to appreciate their passion for space exploration. Short chapters also allow the reader to easily focus on a particular topic. Sidebars help set the context for the time in which these men were living and doing their research and keep it relevant to present history, too. For instance, she explains how the USSR routinely propagated false information to maintain secrecy around its technology developments. A sidebar describes recent revelations of Russian disinformation in the 2016 Presidential election.

Read more in the full review.

[Eva Shirley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always wanted to see an academic comparison between von Braun and Korolev, so I was pretty excited when I found this book. While I did learn some things, it felt like the content was sugarcoated at times. The author also seems to be pushing a liberal agenda as she talks about Russia and Trump. (I mean, come on. Can't we just keep this book about space?)

There was also a MAJOR typo. The author writes that it was John Glenn that commanded Gemini 8. BUT EVERYONE KNOWS IT WAS NEIL ARMSTRONG!!!! Not to mention she writes Korolev's wife's last name in the masculine form, which goes against Russian culture. Because of these major "typos" it's hard to trust the rest of the content in the book.

[Miriam Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating history of the space race from WWII through the moon walk in 1969. Cherrix brings history alive for teens and adults who want to know more about how we developed rockets that propelled people into orbit and then to the moon.

I learned a lot about Nazi officer and scientist Wernher von Braun who worked in the US after WWII, and Russian engineer Sergei Korolev. More, I gained a better understanding of how the drive to travel into space morphed into the space race.

There are plenty of histories, biographies, and sci-fi books on the topic. This is a good one to add to the pile.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book begins with a letter from the author arguing that readers should read this book because the subject is still important. It kind of comes off as begging, though I'm sure to children born after the year 2000, the early space program is a very old bit of history.

Cherrix provides us with great details and shows us the differences between the U.S. and U.S.S.R.'s space programs. The book illustrates how having a focused goal and money to back it up leads to success.

Read for Librarian Book Group

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The story of the people behind the achievements is always of interest to me. I was a young teen when putting humans in space was followed by tv and newspapers. Reading these unknown stories was enlightening.
Korolev suffered greatly at the hands of authoritarians yet persevered to realize the possibility of his vision. Von Braun’s success made possible by embracing the world of of a dictator and enslaved people to achieve his goals stood in stark contrast to one another. There is lots of food for thought and conversation after reading this.

[Mady Haws · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is was not expecting to like this much. I do not normally read nonfiction books, admittedly because of the stereotype that they are boring. This book gave me a new affinity for them however because of how interesting it was. This book is about the unknown secrets of the space race and it is told from the perspectives of the American and Russian scientists behind it. It was an engaging book and it had charts and pictures which also made it feel less like just a nonfiction history book. I enjoyed it and would recommend.
Fulfilled requirement - ya nonfiction

[Olivia M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don’t typically read nonfiction and this reminded me why. It was pretty dry but I learned a lot. It was basically like a book you would read for school. If you like nonfiction and enjoy reading about different rockets than you will love this book. I rated it four stars because it is interesting enough that I didn’t DNF which is a big accomplishment. It is packed with info and lets you create a through understanding of the events in that time period.

[Kbolt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical telling of the race to space. Facts and background especially of Von Braun who was present with Hitlers Nazis who wanted to use rocket technology. He was accepted in the US and the race to get to the moon was on. Historical points that I have never heard of. Good read that moves quickly and explains clearly. Good read.

[Bobbie Pyron · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a reciting account of the race between the US and Russia to get the first rocket into space, and the first man on the moon--and challenges the reader to think at what cost. So, so many things I didn't know, so much "hidden history." As my husband said (who is a very critical reader), not a single sentence was superfluous. And be sure to read the Authors Note at the end. Incredible book!

[Constance · Rating 5 out of 5]

A riveting non-fiction novel that reads like a suspense-filled thriller! I learned so much about our history and the history of the space race. Dynamic personalities, all the hard work and loss, and deep questions of morality. I highly recommend this YA novel - a great read for anybody!

[Gerard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting and the details of the Soviet side was especially fascinating and not well known before. Two glaring errors which do not detract from the overall value. Pearl Harbor was not attacked by “Kamikaze suicide” pilots. And John Glenn did not fly a Gemini mission.

[Angela]

Booklist review to come

[Suzanne Kowalski · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. An interesting read about the space race between American and Russia using previously classified information to reveal some fascinating secrets.