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Mission Control, This Is Apollo: The Story of the First Voyages to the Moon
July 20, 1969, marked one of the climactic moments in our history? The day Apollo 11 landed on the moon. But it is only one piece of a magnificent story. Mission Control, This Is Apollo, by the acclaimed Andrew Chaikin (author of A Man on the Moon, basis of the HBO miniseries From the Earth to the Moon), recounts space history from the Mercury missions through Apollo 17 and beyond. It is illustrated with stunning full-color paintings by astronaut Alan Bean, who walked on the moon with Pete Conrad on Apollo 12 and has devoted his post-NASA life to creating art. Handsome, informative, and dramatic, this is no textbook?it is the tale of humankind's greatest adventure in the last space.Book HardcoverPublication 5/28/2009 128Reading Age 8 and Up
128 pages, Hardcover
First published May 28, 2009
8 people are currently reading
267 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 42 reviews
May 18, 2017
I always know I’ve found a good nonfiction book if I’m tempted to share tidbits I’m reading with whoever’s near me. This was one such book. It was full of all kinds of information, but never felt like a dry recitation of facts. Each of the mission description contained a story that humanized the astronauts and put me in their place (at least a little) as they were flying in space. The paintings and captions by Alan Bean added a delightful element to the book as well. Overall, a highly enjoyable book perfect for many ages. The pictures will keep the younger kids flipping through the book, and older kids or adults will be pulled into reading about all the missions.
April 4, 2021
4.5 stars
This book was definitely a good read. The book tells about all 17 Apollo spacecraft missions, p,us some backstory of the space race and the Mercury and Gemini missions. Each of the mission description contained a story that humanized the astronauts and put me in their place (at least a little) as they were flying in space. The paintings and captions by Alan Bean added a delightful element to the book as well. Definitely a highly enjoyable book perfect for many ages.
I don’t know why but I thought there would be a lot more deaths in these missions because they are so dangerous. But people did die so Rest In Peace for them.
I really loved the illustrations throughout the book, but I wish there were more photographs to give the readers insight to what it was like back then. There were some black and white pictures, but I really liked the colorized one, even though they might of been old black and white pictures with color added by modern software.
I watched so much space movies that I thought some of the pictures were taken from movies. Sadly there weren’t any interstellar pictures here, but that would make sense.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, as it was packed with facts but not the drab fact after fact type of book. The pictures also added on to the experience so I’d recommend this book to basically anyone (who can read of course).
This book was definitely a good read. The book tells about all 17 Apollo spacecraft missions, p,us some backstory of the space race and the Mercury and Gemini missions. Each of the mission description contained a story that humanized the astronauts and put me in their place (at least a little) as they were flying in space. The paintings and captions by Alan Bean added a delightful element to the book as well. Definitely a highly enjoyable book perfect for many ages.
I don’t know why but I thought there would be a lot more deaths in these missions because they are so dangerous. But people did die so Rest In Peace for them.
I really loved the illustrations throughout the book, but I wish there were more photographs to give the readers insight to what it was like back then. There were some black and white pictures, but I really liked the colorized one, even though they might of been old black and white pictures with color added by modern software.
I watched so much space movies that I thought some of the pictures were taken from movies. Sadly there weren’t any interstellar pictures here, but that would make sense.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book, as it was packed with facts but not the drab fact after fact type of book. The pictures also added on to the experience so I’d recommend this book to basically anyone (who can read of course).
July 23, 2017
A nice book meant for children to introduce them to the fantastic Apollo missions. I was a youngster when they were happening and when I saw that this book included many paintings by one of the Apollo astronauts (Alan Bean), I had to give it a look. I've seen some of Bean's work before and quite enjoy his unique perspectives and reflections on Apollo through his paintings. His captions tell a lot, too. Don't forget to check out the page in the back where Bean discusses the materials and methods he uses to create his paintings. It's truly unique because only a moonwalker like him would, cleverly, have access to a special ingredient or two that he adds to his works that nobody else can do.
August 6, 2019
Very interesting, large-size, heavily illustrated history of NASA's manned space flight missions from the beginning up to Apollo 17--the last flight to the moon. Each chapter of about 4-8 pages describes one of the manned Apollo missions. There are lots of side bars with interesting 1-page essays. Best of all, it includes dozens of Alan Bean's paintings. The juvenile writing style, the generous use of side bars, and the proliferation of photos and illustrations with captions make this a wonderful book for children. It does not include photos taken on the moon.
February 4, 2018
I wish there was a 4.5 star rating... Mostly, yes, it was amazing, so much so that I even read the dedications, the sources, the fine print, and all those things people normally skip over.
I could have done with a few more real pictures and a wee bit less of Astronaut Bean's "I" this "I" that. But hey, he walked on the moon, and he looks like a really nice guy, so it's ok.
I could have done with a few more real pictures and a wee bit less of Astronaut Bean's "I" this "I" that. But hey, he walked on the moon, and he looks like a really nice guy, so it's ok.
June 22, 2021
The missions to the moon are a crazy and convoluted topic, and this book simplifies it to the major missions. With an Apollo-astronaut-turned-painter, Alan Bean, it is written in the perfect vogue for the new generation. It was fun reviewing the missions, even though I have essentially learned all of them by heart. Really fun book.
September 10, 2022
It was wonderful learning more about the Apollo missions. The missions happened before I was born, so I wasn't very familiar with the basic details. So much work went into making these lunar missions possible. I became interested in reading about the Apollo missions because of the Artemis mission currently being prepared by NASA.
July 15, 2018
Fantastic book, absolutely fascinating information and details about all of the Apollo missions. And Alan Bean’s paintings are spectacular!
August 6, 2019
Just would not hold my attention. I guess I was hoping for the story of ONE of the Apollo missions, NOT ALL of the Apollo missions.
August 13, 2019
This book is great. It contains some outstanding artwork, but also has some wonderful space facts. Well worth the read!
June 24, 2022
Interesting book about the Apollo space missions. We read this in our homeschool Dialectic history studies.
March 16, 2017
The space program remains one of my favorite subjects, and this volume is absolutely fabulous. The paintings by Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean push this one to must-read level.
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December 6, 2012Chaikin, Andrew. (2009). Mission Control, This is Apollo: The Story of the First Voyages to the Moon. New York: Viking. 128 pp. ISBN 0-670-01156-8 (Hardcover); $23.99
Many of us recognize Alan Bean as one of the Apollo astronauts. Bean served as the Lunar Module Pilot on the Apollo Twelve mission, which landed on the moon in a prechosen location, an amazing scientific accomplishment and a first. Very few of us will think of Bean as an artist. However, after achieving the distinction of being the fourth person to walk on the moon, Bean’s post NASA career is that of an artist. In this book, Bean has created full color paintings to provide an emotional core to a fact-filled book detailing all seventeen Apollo missions. Written by Andrew Chaikin, this book places Apollo 11 in the proper context of a scientific AND political mission dependent upon six Mercury missions, another twelve Gemini missions, ten prior Apollo missions (although missions 2-6 are given scant mention), and six more Apollo missions that followed. We are reminded of the fact that the USSR was once the world leader in space exploration and the reason we placed such a high priority on space travel. What would our allies think if we allowed a communist country to beat us to the moon? Apollo 11 came with an exceptionally high cost, which includes the lives of Virgil I. Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger Chaffee from the first mission. Chaikin writes flowing prose that captures the drama and human interest of what it means to blast off into outer space. Sidebars explain everything from the forty-five minutes it takes to defecate to changes in space suit technology. Bean’s explanations of his paintings provide a poetic and authoritative glimpse into the human side of these Apollo astronauts and are almost more interesting than the paintings themselves. This book will be at home in any school library. It may well follow in the footsteps of Team Moon this January.
Many of us recognize Alan Bean as one of the Apollo astronauts. Bean served as the Lunar Module Pilot on the Apollo Twelve mission, which landed on the moon in a prechosen location, an amazing scientific accomplishment and a first. Very few of us will think of Bean as an artist. However, after achieving the distinction of being the fourth person to walk on the moon, Bean’s post NASA career is that of an artist. In this book, Bean has created full color paintings to provide an emotional core to a fact-filled book detailing all seventeen Apollo missions. Written by Andrew Chaikin, this book places Apollo 11 in the proper context of a scientific AND political mission dependent upon six Mercury missions, another twelve Gemini missions, ten prior Apollo missions (although missions 2-6 are given scant mention), and six more Apollo missions that followed. We are reminded of the fact that the USSR was once the world leader in space exploration and the reason we placed such a high priority on space travel. What would our allies think if we allowed a communist country to beat us to the moon? Apollo 11 came with an exceptionally high cost, which includes the lives of Virgil I. Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger Chaffee from the first mission. Chaikin writes flowing prose that captures the drama and human interest of what it means to blast off into outer space. Sidebars explain everything from the forty-five minutes it takes to defecate to changes in space suit technology. Bean’s explanations of his paintings provide a poetic and authoritative glimpse into the human side of these Apollo astronauts and are almost more interesting than the paintings themselves. This book will be at home in any school library. It may well follow in the footsteps of Team Moon this January.
December 12, 2012
In July of 1969, one of the greatest moments in the history of mankind occurred. It was the day Apollo 11 landed on the moon. That is only a tiny bit of the incredible story. Mission Control, This is Apollo: The Story of the First Voyages to the Moon, by Andrew Chaikin talks about the history of man traveling into space and beyond. The book is illustrated with very cool pictures by Alan Bean, who has spent his life creating art to help people learn a little bit more about NASA. Something that makes this book so awesome was that Captain Alan Bean, the illustrator, is an actual astronaut who has been to the moon. According to Captain Alan Bean "My decision to resign from NASA in 1981 was based on the fact that I am fortunate enough to have seen sights no other artist ever has, and I hope to communicate these experiences through art." The paintings make the reader feel like they were there with him.
The author incorporated not only important information from many numerous space missions from Gemini to Apollo, but also added fun facts such as what the astronauts eat, and how they go to the bathroom in space. One of the most interesting missions described in the book is Apollo 11, which was the first time that man has walked on another planet. The reader really feels as if he or she was there in the spacecraft with the historic astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldren. This book is recommended for not only space enthusiasts, but everyone who loves history and adventure.
Chaikin, Andrew, Mission Control, This is Apollo: The Story of the First Voyages to the Moon, Viking Juvenile, New York, 2009.
The author incorporated not only important information from many numerous space missions from Gemini to Apollo, but also added fun facts such as what the astronauts eat, and how they go to the bathroom in space. One of the most interesting missions described in the book is Apollo 11, which was the first time that man has walked on another planet. The reader really feels as if he or she was there in the spacecraft with the historic astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldren. This book is recommended for not only space enthusiasts, but everyone who loves history and adventure.
Chaikin, Andrew, Mission Control, This is Apollo: The Story of the First Voyages to the Moon, Viking Juvenile, New York, 2009.
November 17, 2009
4 1/2 stars.
Having come of age during the Apollo era, I am always interested in a good moon book and I really liked this one.
I loved the clear organization of this beautifully designed, oversized book. After a brief overall introduction, each chapter is devoted to one of the Apollo space missions. Each mission begins with a prominent heading that includes the mission dates, the astronauts that flew the mission and the goal of the flight. The reader is struck immediately by how quickly one Apollo mission followed another and how each mission increased the knowledge of the one preceding it. The entire Apollo program began in January of 1967 and ended in December of 1972—so much accomplished in 6 years.
The book includes many paintings created by former astronaut Alan Bean. He is an excellent artist and his moon and space paintings are done from the very unique perspective of being the 4th man to walk on the moon and only one of 12 humans to have ever had the experience. His statement at the back of the book about how he creates his paintings is fascinating. Within some of his paintings he has begun including physical bits of the spaceship that flew him to the moon and back--and small amounts of the moon dust that covered his space suit as he walked on the moon.
In addition to the paintings are well chosen photos and informative diagrams that do much to enhance the well-written text.
Ages 10+ (younger if shared)
Having come of age during the Apollo era, I am always interested in a good moon book and I really liked this one.
I loved the clear organization of this beautifully designed, oversized book. After a brief overall introduction, each chapter is devoted to one of the Apollo space missions. Each mission begins with a prominent heading that includes the mission dates, the astronauts that flew the mission and the goal of the flight. The reader is struck immediately by how quickly one Apollo mission followed another and how each mission increased the knowledge of the one preceding it. The entire Apollo program began in January of 1967 and ended in December of 1972—so much accomplished in 6 years.
The book includes many paintings created by former astronaut Alan Bean. He is an excellent artist and his moon and space paintings are done from the very unique perspective of being the 4th man to walk on the moon and only one of 12 humans to have ever had the experience. His statement at the back of the book about how he creates his paintings is fascinating. Within some of his paintings he has begun including physical bits of the spaceship that flew him to the moon and back--and small amounts of the moon dust that covered his space suit as he walked on the moon.
In addition to the paintings are well chosen photos and informative diagrams that do much to enhance the well-written text.
Ages 10+ (younger if shared)
July 29, 2012
Do you know where the saying “Houston we’ve had a problem” is from? If you answered the Apollo 13 mission, then you are correct. Do you also know where the saying “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind” is from? If you answered the lunar module Eagle landing, then you are correct again. I learned both of these sayings from the book Mission Control, this is Apollo.
This book is illustrated by the Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean. This book is nonfiction and is illustrated with paintings, and photos from the cameras on the mission. The cameras on the missions were mounted on the assent stage of the lunar module and the lunar rover.
The main parts of the Saturn V rocket are the command module, (CM) service module, (SM) Lunar module, (LM pronounced lem) and launch vehicle. Together the CM and the SM form the command-service module (CSM).
During all of the Apollo missions if there were any mistakes the scientists at Mission control relised the problem and changed what they needed to, in order to prevent the same problem on other Apollo missions. Two good examples I learned in this book are the fire on Apollo 1, and the explosion on Apollo 13.
I would recommend this book to somebody who likes space travel, and/or the Apollo missions.
Reviewed by Mooboy - Age 9
This book is illustrated by the Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean. This book is nonfiction and is illustrated with paintings, and photos from the cameras on the mission. The cameras on the missions were mounted on the assent stage of the lunar module and the lunar rover.
The main parts of the Saturn V rocket are the command module, (CM) service module, (SM) Lunar module, (LM pronounced lem) and launch vehicle. Together the CM and the SM form the command-service module (CSM).
During all of the Apollo missions if there were any mistakes the scientists at Mission control relised the problem and changed what they needed to, in order to prevent the same problem on other Apollo missions. Two good examples I learned in this book are the fire on Apollo 1, and the explosion on Apollo 13.
I would recommend this book to somebody who likes space travel, and/or the Apollo missions.
Reviewed by Mooboy - Age 9
November 3, 2009
I think this is a good basic introduction to the Apollo space program and it's mission to land on and explore the moon. It's full of colorful paintings created by former astronaut Alan Bean, who took part in Apollo 12. I was intrigued by the interesting textures of the paintings (which can clearly be seen in the reproductions throughout the book) and then learned in a note at the end that Bean used plaster to create a rough surface to paint on, and then stamped replica space boots and space equipment into the plaster to create the textures. He also infused the paintings with space dust and bits of debris that had been recovered from Apollo 12. I think Bean's commentary on the paintings and the many sidebars (they actually take up full pages, so I don't know if "side bar" is actually the right term) on subjects like space food, peeing in space, and things that astronauts left behind on the moon are the best parts of the book. The descriptions of the actual space missions seemed too condensed, and they all kind of blended together in my head, so that I can't recall many of the specific details that made each one unique. Chaikin wrote an earlier account of the Apollo missions for adults, so maybe I would get more out of that one.
January 9, 2017
The book that I read is Mission control This Is Apollo by Alan Bean and Andrew Chaiken. This book falls into historical fiction because apollo happened in the past and was a big deal for America.In the my book it explains what happens in each apology. In apollo one the astronauts Edward white, Roger Chaffee, and Gus Grimsson the flight never happened due to a fire during the test launch. The majority of this book took place in space but sometime in the Kennedy space center where mission control was.This book is man vs self because in space you had to take care of yourself and there was a conflict when something they have to fight against themself or figure it out their selfie or example in apollo thirteen when they had the oxygen leak he had to figure out how to get more oxygen for himself to live.It is man vs nature because it explains how they haVe to fight against space to get their mission completed.I think that this is a great book. It is very good at explains each Apollo mission in very good detail. It also makes learning about the Apollo mission interesting.I think any gender and any age people would enjoy this book because they have topics that kids and adults can understand and enjoy.
August 24, 2009
If you like this, adults and some kids may want to check out
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November 1, 2015
A fantastic nonfiction book on the Apollo missions with a brief overview of the Gemini missions before it. Each Apollo mission includes a few-page detail of the mission, the astronauts' reactions, and beautiful paintings created by Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean. The book not only gives excellent facts (mission details including the astronauts, dates, and mission objective; illustration of the landing sites on the moon; details on the spacecrafts) but the writing helps express how awe-inspiring our journey to space has been. Partnered with the beautiful and realistic illustrations from someone with the experience to understand, this is an excellent, well-rounded book.
July 16, 2010
YA Nonfiction Title
This is an excellent book that covers the history of the Apollo Mission from 1968 to 1972. This is an exciting book for those who like history, science, exploration, adventure oh and space travel. It if filled with not only the history of America's voyage to the moon but also give wonderful photographs as well as painting by Alan Bean (Apollo Astronaut & painter.) This book gives intricate knowledge of all the working of space travel from rockets, lunar modules, space suits to space food to how an astronaut uses the restroom.
This is an excellent book that covers the history of the Apollo Mission from 1968 to 1972. This is an exciting book for those who like history, science, exploration, adventure oh and space travel. It if filled with not only the history of America's voyage to the moon but also give wonderful photographs as well as painting by Alan Bean (Apollo Astronaut & painter.) This book gives intricate knowledge of all the working of space travel from rockets, lunar modules, space suits to space food to how an astronaut uses the restroom.
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June 8, 2016This book is all about the space race and out Apollo program. It takes us through the various trials of spacecraft and training that goes into manning the spacecraft. It features various things that must be considered before sending people into space as well.
The illustrations are majorly compromised of photos.
I enjoyed this book. At times it felt as if it was an overwhelming amount of information on each page but I think it did a great job of covering a lot. This book would be a great resource for students to use for research or ideas on what to do a project on.
The illustrations are majorly compromised of photos.
I enjoyed this book. At times it felt as if it was an overwhelming amount of information on each page but I think it did a great job of covering a lot. This book would be a great resource for students to use for research or ideas on what to do a project on.
June 12, 2009
Among all the moon-landing books out there, this one stands out because of its personal touches: artwork and extended captions by Alan Bean and lots of "inside" info that the author collected through interviews with the astronauts and others. The book is very well organized, with just enough information about each of the Apollo missions and plenty of interesting "extras" (diagrams, maps, photos, notes, etc.).
July 23, 2009
Solid. But there have been a LOT of Apollo books during this anniversary of the moon landing summer, and there are several others that succeed better in being not only informative, but extremely entertaining, in particular Brian Floca'sMoonshot The Flight of Apollo 11
December 26, 2009
Each chapter deals with one of the Gemini or Apollo missions in the 1960s and 1970s in this detailed book about the United States's space program. Also included is information about the astronauts' lives in space. Detailed source list and index make this great for research. Interesting subject matter and tons of photos and paintings make this great for browsing, too. Recommended.
Read my full review on my blog: http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/200...
Read my full review on my blog: http://abbylibrarian.blogspot.com/200...
May 16, 2010
I loved this book. It was well written in language that even I understood. The illustrations were done by Alan bean who was an actual Apollo astronaut. He adds comments and descriptions to go with each picture that adds insight that only an astronaut would have. I also really like the bonus information that appears in each chapter about a topic of human interested like "When you gotta go, you gotta go" You'll have to read the book to find out just how they did that.
July 12, 2010
This is a wonderful nonfiction book about the different Apollos and Astronauts. This book is jam packed with real pictures along with paintings. Anyone who is interested in Astronauts and space would fall in love with this book immediately. This book would be great to use with a space or planet unit in the classroom. This book is broken down into separate sections for each of the Apollos. This is a lengthy book that includes alot of information.
March 25, 2013
Read this book when learning about space (moon)
Overall introduction of the Apollo space program. Apollo is the name NASA gave to the missions that put men on the moon.
Science related discussion:
* Astronauts (job/equipment)
* Gravity
* Oxygen
* Space/ planets
* Germs.
Extension: Describe and draw what it would be like to be a part on an apollo. Would you have fun? What are some things you need to survive in space?
Overall introduction of the Apollo space program. Apollo is the name NASA gave to the missions that put men on the moon.
Science related discussion:
* Astronauts (job/equipment)
* Gravity
* Oxygen
* Space/ planets
* Germs.
Extension: Describe and draw what it would be like to be a part on an apollo. Would you have fun? What are some things you need to survive in space?
January 4, 2016
Honestly speaking, this book shocked me. Shaped like a picture book, the pages never stopped giving me valuable information. Written by both an Apollo 12 astronaut and an author of several space books, this book shows the Apollo missions from the first to the seventeenth. I learned a ton of interesting facts through pages stocked with details about each Apollo mission. From reading this book, I was able to have a better understanding of the developments from day 1 to victory.
March 6, 2010
I really enjoyed this book; it made the Apollo program seem so much cooler than the space shuttle missions that I grew up watching! It also really made me want to see us return to the moon and brought back memories of visiting Huntsville, Alabama and wanting to become an astronaut. Overall it was a great treatment of America's first manned space program, enjoyable for adults and children.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews