Moon Shot: The Inside Story of America's Race to the Moon | Historical Space Exploration Book | Perfect for Space Enthusiasts & History Buffs

Alan Shepard was the 1st American in space, May 5, 1961, and the 5th Man on the Moon, with Edgar Mitchell (6th). Indeed, Apollo 14 was the 3rd manned mission to make it to the Moon (1971, February) , and it was not so easy a ride that it seems from a lot of other books. There were 3 very hard times. 1. In Earth orbit, the Transposition and Docking failed 5 times : a new procedure with more speed and charge was the solution. 2. Orbiting the Moon, there was a repetitive Abort signal when testing the descent program for the LEM. Donald Eyles, a big brain of the MIT in Massachusetts did the reprogramming for the on board computer : just in time. 3. No signal from the landing radar. Reseting the circuit was great, the solution, but it was close, just in time before the Abort procedure. So, victory, but not an easy thing, a promenade. As for the Book, 1st edition 1994, with eminent co-writers Jay Barbree and Howard Benedict : the chapters are not in chronological order, but ordered in a very intelligent way for the reader's interest. Il do like it. Very well written, and it matters. With also a fine readable printing, and also better black/white photographies than in the 2011 edition. So, first choice, the 1st Us edition. NB : as a Frenchman, I had first the French 1995 ed., paperback ; then the 2011 US ed., hard cover, wrong (or new) order as for the chapters ; and now, very happy, at last, with a great copy of the 1st US ed 1994, hard cover + fine jacket. The US and the French editions are in the same order as for the chapters. Deke's death was 1993, before the publishing of this book ; Alan, now a retired rear-admiral and businessman, lived some 5 years more (July, 21, 1998. NB : July are also anniversaries for Apollo 11 and Apollo 15). Review for the 1st US edition, hard cover with illustrated jacket. Introduction (3 p.) by Neil Armstrong, February 1994.