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Title: Exploring the Moon: The Apollo Expeditions by David M. Harland ISBN: 1-85233-099-6 Publisher: Springer Verlag Pub. Date: May, 1999 Format: Paperback Volumes: 1 List Price(USD): $39.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 4.8 (10 reviews)
Rating: 5
Summary: A MUST FOR THOSE INTO SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION
Comment: David Harland's book is one of the finest I have ever seen on the Apollo program or on Solar System exploration in general. Getting beyond the techincal aspects of spaceflight, the spacecraft or the astronauts' personalities which have been done by other authors, this book brings out the excitement of exploration and the discovery of the unknown that the Apollo astronauts participated in. Many people have been exposed to a taste of this in the episode about Apollo 15 in Tom Hanks' excellent television series "From the Earth to the Moon" which showed how, under excellent teachers, the astronauts, coming from a background of engineering and aeronautics, became true scientists and explorers.
It is true that a lot of geological concepts are thrown at the reader from the beginning and those (like myself) who have no previous background in geology might be intimidated but I find that a careful reading of the excellent glossary contained in the book should give enough background to make the science generally accessible. Harland makes clear why the various landing sites were chosen and what the geological issues were that were to be investigated. Traverse maps showing the various geological features to be explored are included for each mission. The many photographs presented illustrate the main discoveries and their significance. Of special note are the panoramas personally assembled by Harland (which are also available on the internet's Apollo Lunar Surface Journal) which give a stunning view of the Lunar environment as the astronauts saw it.
Finally, I strongly urge someone who finds himself becoming more interested in the subject of Lunar geology to also read Don Wilhelm's "To a Rocky Moon" which presents the historical development of our ideas about the Moon up through the famous Kona Conference in 1984 which determined that the Moon was probably created due to a giant body impacting with the fledgling Earth and also Paul Spudis' "The Once and Future Moon" which gives a summary of our state of knowledge up to the mid-1990's and directions for future exploration.
Rating: 5
Summary: Apollo - telling it like it was
Comment: At last,a book about the Apollo missions that does not dwell on Buzz's drinking, one-small-steps or the "unfolding human near-tragedy" that was Apollo 13. These are all great topics but they have been done to death. What Harland has done is chronicle the real reason - well, it later became the real reason - that Nasa went to the Moon. Once the euphoria ofbeating the Russians had worn off, six missions were sent to explore the surface of another planet. One failed, but the 10 men who followed in Aldrin's and Armstrong's footsteps managed to revolutionise our knowledge about the big white disc in the sky. Most of what they did was geology - so there are plenty of rocks here. If you don't know your pyroxenes from your olivines you might struggle a bit, but there is a helpful glossary. You are struck by just how damn hard these men worked in the precious hours and days they had on the lunar surface. there is human drama in this book, but it is in the imagined sweat and tears that must have been exuded to get these results. Finally, you are left reeling by the tragedy of "what might have been". Apollos 18-thru-20 were cancelled, and the Saturn 5s that were to carry further lunar missions now sit rusting in a Nasa carpark. As Harland points out, "they got bored with exploring another planet".
If you are interested in the Moon, or simply in why humanity goes into space, read this book.
Rating: 5
Summary: A steep learning curve for most, but worth it.
Comment: A great book for anyone who has a tenacious desire to go beyond their initial romance with a trip to the moon and learn what the "missions" were really all about. It was a tough read though - at least in the beginning. I found that I had to study the glossary for a day or two before I was qualified to understand the complex geological prose that Harland launches into right from page 1. But by the time I finished Apollo 15, I felt like I was an expert at planetary geology and couldn't wait to "explore" more with Apollos 16 and 17!
Overall a really terrific book, but nevertheless, I agree with some other reader's criticisms:
1. The basic geological terms and principles should have been explained to laymen throughout the first half of the book. So much of the wonder and excitement of the adventure is dependent on a thorough understanding of what the scientists were searching for. Patient readers (like me) will wade through and learn "the hard way" (checking the glossary often) but Harland could have made the book a smoother ride with a little more "teaching."
2. The pictures could definitely be better. In particular, every mission should have a detailed traverse map up front with all craters and landmarks noted that are mentioned in the text. I found that I had to supplement the book with charts and photos from the internet in order to properly follow along.
That's it! I've learned a tremendous amount and am grateful to the author for making me into more of an expert on a subject that I have always loved.
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Title:Apollo 11 - Men on the Moon ASIN: B00009XYYF Publisher: Twentieth Century Fox Home Video Pub. Date: 19 August, 2003 List Price(USD): $49.98 Comparison N/A, buy it from Amazon for $44.98 |
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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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Title: Before This Decade Is Out: Personal Reflections on the Apollo Program by Glen E. Swanson ISBN: 0813025370 Publisher: University Press of Florida Pub. Date: June, 2002 List Price(USD): $24.95 |
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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: Stages to Saturn: A Technological History of the Apollo/Saturn Launch Vehicles by Roger E. Bilstein ISBN: 0813026911 Publisher: University Press of Florida Pub. Date: August, 2003 List Price(USD): $39.95 |
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