Countdown: A History of Space Flight

Like a skilled artisan, Heppenheimer (Turbulent Skies) weaves social, political, scientific, technological, military and economic threads of the history of space flight into a tapestry that reveals fascinating patterns and themes. He portrays technological brilliance mingled with colossal errors in judgment, the interplay of teamwork and bitter rivalry, the juxtaposition of the noblest and most venal national and personal goals, while presenting the still-unfolding story of humanity's greatest adventure. Key to the story are individuals who, though often operating behind the scenes, like Sergei Korolev, the founder of the Soviet space program, shaped intra-national and international events. Marked by comprehensive primary source and documentary research, and drawing on a trove of information not available before the fall of the Soviet Union, Heppenheimer'ss chronology is rich in scientific and technological detail, though readers will have to follow the book's extensive bibliography for a more complete picture. This is primarily a well-told story of humanity's quest to reach the cosmos, and of the very human individuals who, for good or ill, have left their mark on that great endeavor. (May)