Epic Rivalry: The Inside Story of the Soviet and American Space Race

by Von Hardesty

When Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon in 1969, they personified an almost unimaginable feat—the incredibly complex task of sending humans safely to another celestial body. This extraordinary odyssey, which grew from the rivalry between the United States and the Soviet Union during the Cold War, was galvanized by the Sputnik launch in 1957. To mark the fiftieth anniversary of Sputnik, National Geographic recaptures this gripping moment in the human experience with a lively and compelling new account. Written by Smithsonian curator Von Hardesty and researcher Gene Eisman, Epic Rivalry tells the story from both the American and the Russian points of view, and shows how each space-faring nation played a vital role in stimulating the work of the other. Scores of rare, unpublished, and powerful photographs recall the urgency and technical creativity of both nations' efforts.

The authors recreate in vivid detail the "parallel universes" of the two space exploration programs, with visionaries Wernher von Braun and Sergei Korolev and political leaders John F. Kennedy and Nikita Khrushchev at the epicenters. The conflict between countries, and the tense drama of their independent progress, unfolds in vivid prose. Approaching its subject from a uniquely balanced perspective, this important new narrative chronicles the epic race to the moon and back as it has never been told before—and captures the interest of casual browsers and science, space, and history enthusiasts alike.

Genres: History, Space, Nonfiction, Russia, Science

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Von Hardesty is currently a curator in the Division of Aeronautics at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. He has written a number of books, and lives in the metropolitan D.C. area.

Reviews

[Gwen Hembrock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although there is no shortage of books on man's expansion into space, "Epic Rivalry: The Inside Story of the Soviet and American Space Race" by Von Hardesty and Gene Eisman deliver their own unique perspective. The book could be used as an overview, but where "Epic Rivalry" shines is in vividly capturing moments in time where the paths of the two sides in the space race intersected.

The book begins with a forward by Dr. Sergi Khrushchev, Nikita Khruschev's son, whose Russian perspective offers up insights and a hint of what is to come. In the introduction that follows, the authors state "This book examines the historic role of the key political leaders who shaped the course of space exploration." It does this and more, by bringing to life key events and people, beginning with the post-war scramble of both the Soviets and Americans for V-2 rockets in Germany.

The book has plenty of descriptions of the hardware and the problems designing it, without getting mired in technical discussions that only an engineer or physicist could appreciate. More than straight technical timeline, the hardware descriptions are used to expose how the technical vulnerabilities and achievements of one side, real or feared, propelled the other side to action.

As with most any National Geographic book, the numerous photographs are worth looking, and relooking, at. They include iconic images (e.g. rockets blasting off) as well as some surprises (e.g. V-2 rocket production). The photos have been arranged with care, juxtaposing images in intriguing ways. You will see many remarkably similar Russian and American photos from the comradery of the early astronauts and cosmonauts who had been in space, to the public cheering successes and mourning losses. The are well chosen to augment the text.

Definitely worth a read.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wouldn't be the best book about the Space Race for someone who is already familiar with the topic or with the history of spaceflight. But as an introduction to the subject, or as a high-level overview, it works quite well. The writing is clear and accessible, it addresses all the significant developments of the period and the foreword (by Sergei Khrushchev) is an intriguing perspective on the Soviet space program at the time.

[Erick Mertz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh.

[G Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good but reader's digest version of what incurred during the space race. great pics too.

[Lana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to admit this took me longer to read than it should have – like 3 years. I would read it in stops and starts – always being interested in it, but finding it just a difficult read. Finally I had to get myself to stop reading it like a textbook - trying memorize facts and cull for details – and just read it like a book! Once I did that it went a lot quicker and was a lot more enjoyable. Although I’ve watched a lot of specials on space and this time period in the space race, this book really does make everything clear and understandable to the non-technical layperson. I enjoyed understanding the roots and history of a lot of the technologies and think I could learn more from this every time I would re-read it.

[Paul Kinzer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was going to give this 3 stars, as it's not a bad, though short, overview of the space race, but then, on page 237, I read this: "Once in its new orbit, Apollo 11 followed a nearly circular path around the moon, an orbit averaging 60 miles above the lunar surface. The transposition and docking of the LM followed, ...". I wonder what other less glaring errors exist? It's not worth a 2nd read to find out. Skip this and read "This New Ocean" by William Burrows instead.

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

This would probably be a decent introduction to the subject for a novice, but I've read enough about the space program that there wasn't anything new to me in the discussion of the American program. The Russian bits were more interesting, but insufficiently in-depth; I guess I need to find a book focusing on that, instead.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nothing earth-shattering in here but does a good job of presenting a basic look at the U.S. vs. U.S.S.R. battle for supremacy in space. Lots of great photos as well. Decent reference material for space enthusiasts.

[Mari · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me 3 days to finish this book. The stories were mesmerizing and I didn't want to put the book down. :)

I'm overall interested in space travel and I enjoyed all the detailed stories. The book is good if you already know something of the topic but aren't an expert.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting book about the space race. Most of the American stuff wasn't really new to me, but the parts about the Soviet Union were really interesting.

[Veronika Kitsul · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like the synopsis of events the book gives. That is exactly what I was looking for for my research project. Nice selection of photographs and very detailed narrative from time to time.