Reynolds, David West. Apollo: the Epic Journey to the Moon. New York: Harcourt, 2002.
David West Reynolds cornered the Apollo market when he was able to get two former astronauts and a Smithsonian Air and Space Museum curator to contribute to his historical look at the race for space. In addition he used amazing photographs! Reynolds carefully outlines the humble beginnings of man’s desire to launch into space, giving credit to Jules Verne as the man responsible for sparking the imagination of men who dared to dream the impossible. The frantic competition was heightened after John F. Kennedy was elected president and he promised American citizens we would reach the moon by 1970. Kennedy’s subsequent assassination was the driving force to make that promise a reality. Reynolds states the entire nation was held responsible for Kennedy’s dream.
But, this is a gorgeous book, filled with interesting facts and photographs taken from beginning to end; from the Mercury and Sputnik to Apollo and Vostok missions.
Best lines, “…liquid fuel would be the way to get a rocket anywhere interesting” (p 19) and “They had stepped out into the void” (p 105). How dramatic is that? Final like I liked, “It was time for the human pilot to prove his worth” (p 136).
Reason read: The first lunar walk was on July 20th, 1969.
Author fact: David West Reynolds is an expert in space exploration.
Book trivia: Apollo: the Epic Journey is such a spectacular book with stunning photography it could be considered a “coffee table book.”
BookLust Twist: from Book Lust in the chapter called “The Moon’s My Destination” (p 157).
~*LunaSea*~ 