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Title: Space Shuttle: The First 20 Years -- The Astronauts' Experiences in Their Own Words by Tony Reichhardt, Smithsonian Institution, Dorling Kindersley Publishing ISBN: 0-7894-8425-0 Publisher: DK Publishing Pub. Date: 01 June, 2002 Format: Hardcover Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $40.00 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.78 (18 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: "We go into space because of the human spirit"--Loren Acton
Comment: Most books I've read on the Space Shuttle are political in nature. Many also focus on the problems with the shuttle system: the tragedies of Challenger and Columbia and the mishaps of Mir and Hubble. This book, however, considers the firsthand accounts of the men and women who flew, lived, and worked in space since the first shuttle launch in 1981. Scores of astronauts and payload and mission specialists participated in this project (no Russian cosmonauts, however, were contacted for this book) and provided reminiscences on everything from training, what it is like during launch, experiences in zero gravity, space sickness, watching earth from 165 miles up, space walking, experiments conducted, horseplay on the shuttle, coming home, etc. Each personal story is about a page in length (some even shorter) and are surrounded by tons of full color photographs. This book was published before the Columbia tragedy and two astronauts who perished on that mission (Rick Husband and Kalpana Chawla) provide stories.
Some of my favorite stories: Jack Lousma's frank account on how he never knew when to safely use ejector seats (pg. 24); Sultan Bin Salman Al-Saud on returning to Saudi Arabia "I could not believe that our people had that kind of excitement in them" (pg. 45); Rhea Seddon on the Pepsi/Coke experiments (Pepsi's space can was just a shaving cream container with a label slapped on while Coke spent loads on their special can); Bob Cenker on how NASA never kept the life threatening danger from "teacher in Space" Christa McAuliffe before the doomed Challenger flight (pg. 57); Congressman Bill Nelson on his close call; Hoot Gibson on a top secret mission from which he received a medal "he could only wear in a safe" (pg. 66); John Blaha and Jerry Linenger on life aboard Mir (pp. 90-1); and a photo caption on how the shuttle circles the earth every 90 minutes so it experiences "sunrise" in that amount of time (pg. 244). Of course, there a lot more interesting stories.
I'm not sure if it would have been possible, but I'd enjoy the book more if it included photos of the storytellers next to their reminiscences. Most of the time, the photos (albeit related to the topic described) are of other people. When I read the stories I sometimes got a mental picture of the person(s) in the photos only to realize they were not the same person. That's just a minor criticism. Anyone interested in astronaut life will enjoy this book. The stories are not very technical and are usually about fun or awe inspiring moments. Although, it is definitely a pro-space program book, there is nothing political or controversial here. It also includes a list of each mission with the passengers and experiments conducted, and simplified looks at the shuttle and its launch pattern, Mir, and the International Space Station.
Rating: 5
Summary: A Long Overdue Book - Spectacular!!!
Comment: It seems hard to believe that the first space shuttle launch happened almost 22 years ago. During that time, hundreds of astronauts and cosmonauts both men and women, from many different countries have flown in space onboard this marvel of engineering. This book recounts the adventures of those who have flown onboard the space shuttle, using high quality, color photographs and a small amount of accompanying text (a few paragraphs to a few pages) provided by the astronauts and as the title states, in their own words. I've always felt that a large format, coffee table style book dedicated to the space shuttle program was long overdue.
This book is divided into two distinct parts: A chronology of the first twenty years of missions and then a section that examines an entire space shuttle mission from training to launch and then to landing. These two sections are loaded with many different stories such as the wonder of being in space and viewing our home planet, preparing and eating meals in space, a humorous story of the operation of the space toilet, the use of Mir, the construction of the International Space Station and of course the terrible times associated with the Challenger explosion. It is nice to see that through all the triumphs and trails of space exploration, these people who many hold up as modern day heroes, are just as human as the rest of us, and are filled with awe of this great adventure into the unknown.
The book also contains an Appendix that provides an excellent summary of all the missions that occurred during the first twenty years of shuttle operations. In addition, there is also a nice overview section, which briefly examines shuttle systems, astronauts training and shuttle operations.
One final thought, since the book celebrates the first twenty years of space shuttle flights, there is not any information related to the loss of the Columbia. Maybe the authors of this book will be able to produce an equally excellent book as a tribute to the Columbia. Here's hoping.
Rating: 5
Summary: The Best Book ever!
Comment: I made a good choice by selecting this book. This is the best space book i have ever read. If you are interested in space shuttles and astronaut stuff, then look no further, cuz this is the one u are looking for. The book is well organized and the astronauts experiences are really thrilling and emotional. It will make one really feel how its like to be an astronaut.
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Title: Apollo: The Epic Journey to the Moon by David Reynolds, Wally Schirra, Von Hardesty ISBN: 0151009643 Publisher: Harcourt Pub. Date: 20 May, 2002 List Price(USD): $35.00 |
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Title: Space Shuttle: The History of the National Space Transportation System: The First 100 Missions by Dennis R. Jenkins ISBN: 0963397451 Publisher: Specialty Pr Pub & Wholesalers Pub. Date: April, 2001 List Price(USD): $39.95 |
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Title: Space by Andrew Chaikin ISBN: 1842224980 Publisher: Carlton Pub. Date: September, 2002 List Price(USD): $50.00 |
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Title: Space Shuttle Operator's Manual, Revised Edition by Kerry Mark Joels ISBN: 0345341813 Publisher: Ballantine Books Pub. Date: 12 August, 1988 List Price(USD): $18.95 |
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Title: Virtual Apollo: A Pictorial Essay of the Engineering and Construction of the Apollo Command and Service Modules (Apogee Books Space Series) by Scott P. Sullivan ISBN: 1896522947 Publisher: Apogee Books Pub. Date: May, 2003 List Price(USD): $19.95 |
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