Beyond Horizons: A Half Century of Air Force Space Leadership

by David N. Spires

Beyond A Half Century of Air Force Space Leadership is a study of the United States Air Force in space. Of all the military services, the Air Force has been preeminently involved for the past fifty years in initiating, developing, and applying the technology of space-based systems in support of the nation's national security. Yet there has been no single-volume overview of the Air Force space story to serve as an introduction and guide for interested readers. This book tells the story of the origins and development of the United States Air Force's space program from its earliest beginnings in the post Second World War period to its emergence as a critical operational presence in the Persian Gulf War.

Genres: Space, Military Fiction

Paperback

First published January 1, 2001

Reviews

[Grant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spires' comprehensive work, now re-titled _Beyond Horizons: A History of the Air Force in Space, 1947-2007_ for the second edition, is a thorough study of the USAF's efforts to operate in and through space. Spires does not consider ICBMs, except as antecedents for space boosters (see his _On Alert_) for the missile story). The level of detail is highly impressive, and the additional chapter that brings the story up to 2007 is as complete as one can find at the unclassified level. One minor complaint would be that the updated chapter has been added at the end of the story, without significant revision to what was the final chapter of the first edition, leaving it as something of an add-on. Perhaps he'll take care of that in the third edition!

[John B · Rating 3 out of 5]

An important and admirable effort to capture the history of a subject that’s still far too new and much too secret to be comprehensive about.

It is a good subject matter introduction and reference source for space enthusiasts and military members. For anyone else? Probably not the best book. Go read about Gemini or Sputnik. Those stories are far more accessible and compelling.

[Scott Martin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A dry single volumne that attempts to educate on the history of the space program and the Air Force's Role in it. Had been trying to read this book off and on for years. Not the most thrilling, but maybe worth keeping as a reference volumne.