The Man Who Ran the Moon: James Webb, JFK and the Secret History of Project Apollo - Softcover

Bizony, Piers

Softcover

ISBN 10: 184046836X ISBN 13: 9781840468366

Publisher: Icon Books, 2007

Synopsis

This is a brilliant popular history which will appeal to the huge audience of Andrew Smith's "Moondust". It is written by a rising popular science star - a journalist who writes widely. It is a well-reviewed on hardback publication. Space historian Piers Bizony explodes NASA's 1960s mythology and unveils the man who gave up everything to win the space race. Neil Armstrong will forever be the first man on the Moon. But the person most responsible for putting him there is, incredibly, unknown. In 1961 James Webb, a South Carolina lawyer, took charge of America's bid for the Moon. Persuading a reluctant JFK and gaining control of 5 per cent of the US budget, Webb's NASA supervised half a million workers building new machines, launch pads and control centres. But in 1967, a spacecraft fire killed three astronauts. The press exposed numerous failures and delays, as well as Webb's business partners' profiteering. Webb shouldered the blame and his sacrifice enabled the Moon landing in 1969, but his name was wiped from history. Conducting extensive interviews and drawing on recently released original sources, Bizony tells the fascinating hidden story of the unconventional, charismatic man who made one giant leap for mankind.

About this title

About the Author

Piers Bizony is a science journalist and space historian who writes for magazines such as Focus and Wired, as well as the Independent. His latest book is a narrative history of the birth of the atom, which ties in with a BBC Four television series.

Edition details

• Publisher: Icon Books
• Publication date: 2007
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 184046836X
• ISBN 13: 9781840468366
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 304