Fifty Years Later: Chasing the Moon and One Giant Leap

Will you be watching the American Experience film titled Chasing the Moon on pbs this week? It’s on for three nights, exploring the early days of the Space race with the Soviet Union, the Apollo 1 tragedy and the triumph of the moon landing on July 20, 1969, all while commenting on how “dreams of space dramatically intersect with dreams of democracy.” CHASING THE MOON by Robert Stone and Alan Andres is the book companion and its chapters are split chronologically, beginning with “a place beyond the sky (1903 -1950).” That discusses pioneering scientists like Robert Goddard and Werner von Braun and will allow readers to contemplate the many innovative ideas and risks of that era – perhaps not unlike today’s efforts in genetic engineering or artificial intelligence. The next chapter looks at the period from 1952 to 1960 and several subsequent chapters cover two or three year periods during the 1960s, with the last chapter, the final frontier, delving into events from the 1970s.  Throughout there are some surprising statistics (e.g., there was a television in one-third of American households by spring 1952) and much evidence of corporate and media involvement (e.g., Colliers early promotion and sponsoring as well as exclusive rights to the astronauts’ story being given to Life magazine and subsequent promotion from Pan Am and others). Stone and Andres also seem to highlight controversial aspects like von Braun’s work for Hitler, early (and offensive) comments about women in space and pleas from Edwin R. Murrow to integrate the astronaut corps. In fact, their subtitle is “The People, the Politics and the Promise that launched America into the Space Age.” CHASING THE MOON has over twenty pages of notes, several brief biographical sketches of astronauts and others, plus a helpful index and numerous black and white and color photographs including iconic images.

Perhaps you have seen the new movie titled Apollo 11? It is a great factual reminder of events leading to the moon landing and also a help to visualizing those described in ONE GIANT LEAP by Charles Fishman. The best-selling author of other non-fiction titles (The Big Thirst, The Wal-mart Effect) strives to inspire readers with the story of “the impossible mission that flew us to the moon.” He begins by stressing how little we knew about space travel when Kennedy issued his famous challenge. Fishman notes, “The astronauts went to the Moon and their skill and courage is undeniable, and also well-chronicled. But the astronauts aren’t the ones who made it possible to go to the Moon. … That extraordinary accomplishment was done by ordinary people … Theirs is a story with unexpected surprises at every turn.”  For example, he points out that only three people were trained and licensed to fold by hand the recovery parachutes so they were forbidden from riding together in order to avoid an accident. And, astronauts relied on miniaturized, state-of-the art computers while also utilizing paper checklists and star charts. Fishman discusses the contributions of the space program – aside from achieving the Moon landing mission – like the use of integrated circuits and real-time computing, re-emphasizing his theme and saying, “The race to the Moon took developments and technologies and trends that most of the rest of the world, most of the rest of the economy, didn’t know about and magnified them, and helped make their significance and value clear well beyond space travel.” More than twenty-five percent of this extensively researched text is filled with notes, a bibliography, index and photographs. ONE GIANT LEAP received a starred review from Library Journal.

If you are looking for more commemorations regarding Apollo 11, consider attending the Winnetka Public library program: One Giant Leap on Saturday, July 13, beginning at 3:00pm.  Designed for adults and teens, actor Terry Lynch will portray astronaut Neil Armstrong as he recounts the lead up to the first moon landing, as well as the other "series of firsts" associated with that historic mission, including: the first color TV transmission from Earth and the first time a customs report was filled out from another planet! Registration is required.

Rocket Men by Robert Kurson

ROCKET MEN by Robert Kurson is another great adventure story and real life-thriller from the author of Shadow Divers, Pirate Hunters, and Crashing Through. In his latest text, Kurson relates the story of the first spaceship and crew to orbit the moon, the Apollo 8 mission.  Based on interviews with the astronauts, their families, their colleagues at NASA, and other experts, he devotes separate chapters to Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders while also providing details of their exploits, the famous Earthrise photo, and the political context (e.g., Cold War's Space Race, Vietnam) in which the mission operated. Kurson writes for a general audience and stresses both the scientific and personal aspects of what he labels "one of the greatest explorations in humanity's history." ROCKET MEN contains several photographs, a diagram of Apollo 8, and a Note on Sources.  Many of our students are excited about Space X and have been reading and writing about space exploration this year. For those who are interested, the local pbs station celebrated this book launch with a full program on Chicago Tonight’s Web Extra titled ‘Rocket Men’ Book Launch with Apollo 8 Astronauts and posted a shorter 8 minute excerpt. The module and Borman's spacesuit are available to view at Chicago's Museum of Science and Industry. It is fascinating to think about the almost 50 years since these astronauts took off for space in December 1968. ROCKET MEN, having received a starred review from Library Journal, is on our shelves so you can relive the journey.  Added NOTE: You can also meet the local author at The Bookstall in Winnetka on Thursday, May 17 at 6:30 pm. 

Neil deGrasse Tyson and Condoleezza Rice

As Mother's Day is fast approaching, I am thinking about what we can do for our children and their children.  How about taking just a few minutes to watch what roughly 30 million people have already viewed? It's Neil deGrasse Tyson talking about science and politics:

Then think about your family and choose to act.  Maybe it's giving everyone a hug, maybe it's making a phone call or sending an email ... up to you. 

Neil deGrasse Tyson has a new book titled ASTROPHYSICS FOR PEOPLE IN A HURRY and I know that we have already had several requests for it.  In the preface, he says, "at one time or another, every one of us has looked up at the night sky and wondered: What does it all mean? How does it all work?  And, what is my place in the universe?"

In chapters with titles like "Dark Matter," "Invisible Light," and "Reflections on the Cosmic Perspective," Tyson explains the ideas behind our current understanding of the universe.  I actually found myself pausing frequently to better digest and contemplate the information he shares.  For example, he refers to how latest estimates show that the observable universe may contain a hundred billion galaxies. He goes on to share info about asteroids, individual elements, radio waves and much more in the relatively short 224 pages where Booklist said readers "will find Tyson's wittily delivered explanations compelling and disarmingly entertaining."  Kirkus gave ASTROPHYSICS FOR PEOPLE IN A HURRY a starred review.


This past Spring Tyson also noted: "Cutting the NEA & NEH to save money on a $3-trillion budget is like thinking 3 days is long relative to an 85-year lifespan." He tweeted that "Politics is one's reaction to data, not the data itself" and in the above video, he refers to "a recipe for the complete dismantling of our informed democracy."

We are fortunate to have so much opportunity to get smart about Science AND to think about the country's future.  This week, Condoleezza Rice is speaking at New Trier on Tuesday, May 16 at 7:00pm in the Gaffney Auditorium.  Her topic will indeed center around democracy and its challenges, including references to her new book:  DEMOCRACY: STORIES FROM THE LONG ROAD TO FREEDOM.

Family Action Network (or FAN) are the local sponsors of the event and their invitation to the sold out presentation notes, "at a time when people around the world are wondering whether democracy is in decline, she shares insights from her experiences as a policy maker, scholar, and citizen."

We are in the midst of ordering new books to be processed this summer; if you have one to suggest, particularly related to science and/or government, please let us know.