Exploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in the History of the U.S. Civil Space Program

Logsdon, John M.; Launius, Roger D. (Editor)

ISBN 10: 0160813816 / ISBN 13: 9780160813818

Published by NASA History Division, Washington DC, 2008

About this Item

Textblock and binding immaculate and tight. Dust jacket minimally edge-rubbed; 857p., including index. Size: 8vo - Over 7 3/4" - 9 3/4 " Tall. Seller Inventory # EW4332

Bibliographic Details

Title: Exploring the Unknown: Selected Documents in...

Publisher: NASA History Division, Washington DC

Publication Date: 2008

Binding: Cloth

Condition: Fine

Dust Jacket Condition: Near Fine (in mylar)

Book Type: Hardcover

About this title

Synopsis:

The first six volumes of this projected eight-volume documentary history have become an indispensable reference work for anyone interested in the history of the U.S. civil space program and its development over time. This volume contains over 100 key documents, many of which are published for the first time. Each is introduced by a headnote providing context, bibliographical details, and background information necessary to understand the document. These are organized into two chapters, each beginning with an essay that keys the documents to major events in the history of space exploration.

Review:

ASTRONOMY NOW ONLINE (Website of the UK's best-selling astronomy magazine) by Reg Turnhill (portions excerpted 5/26/2009)
http: //astronomynow.com/books/AstronomyNow-BookReviews-ExploringtheUnknown.html
"This seventh volume of NASA's definitive history is timely, covering human spaceflight in the fortietch year since the first Moon landing. It has the full text of President Kennedy insisting in secret talks with the head of NASA in 1962 that putting a man on the Moon ahead of Russia must have top priority after defence. " We have to demonstrate that starting behind, as we did by a couple of years, by God, we passed them."
It also reveals that Buzz Aldrin, the second man to step on the Moon, has never been given the full credit for his technical work in making the landing possible. Even before joining NASA he had done much pioneering work on developing the procedures and tools necessary for spacecraft to rendezvous and dock while in orbit. Techniques he devised hav