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The content was fantastic, but the writing style often got in the way. Long convoluted sentences where several short ones would have been better. Giving it a “pick”, but it only scraped by.

Up next in #spaceracereading is a much more conventional book about the Mercury 7, The Right Stuff by Tom Wolfe.

Nearly a Pan. I wanted to bail many times, but books in English on the Soviet space race are rare. The subject is fascinating, but the writing is just. so. dry. It was meant to be academic? Most history I read is for general audiences. I only recommend this if you‘re very interested in the subject.

Next in my #spaceracereading is Beyond by Stephen Walker about getting the first human in space. The Mercury 7 vs the Vanguard 6.

“Let‘s go!”

“We did not learn enough from the mission to justify the death of the dog.” — Gazenko

The first Earthling to orbit. Laika‘s Sputnik II was rushed. Timed with the anniversary of the Revolution, Laika‘s flight was one way.

This beautiful little book weaves together the stories of Korolev, Laika, and lab tech Yelena Dubrovsky, highlighting the themes of loyalty and determination.

Hoping that some more #spaceracereading will arrive soon.

Borrowed via the Marigold Library System (Okotoks Branch). #librarylove

An 8-12 graphic bio has to leave out so many people, but I‘m pleased they started with Galileo and included a chapter on the animal astronauts.

An excellent start for young space enthusiasts.

I do wish it had an index of the direct quotes. I recognized several, so I wonder where I missed others.

I‘m out of #spaceracereading for now. More books on library request.

Borrowed via the Marigold Library System (Leduc Branch). #librarylove

Excellent autobiography for young readers. (Johnson‘s full biography is expected May 2021.)

Johnson tempers brutal truths with her knowledge that times have and will change, and though it may be two-steps-forward-one-step-back, things often change for the better. She humbles me.

Next one in #spaceracereading is a quick read: Heroes of Space. Review likely later tonight.

Another great addition to my #spaceracereading. Gene Kranz was there for so much of it, from Mercury‘s “four inch flight” to the Apollo 1 fire, to the moon landing (he was on console for touchdown), to Apollo 13, to the final mission, Apollo 17.

Kranz brings NASA‘s history to life with anecdotes and technical details. His is a point of view few have had the privilege to share.

Up next, Katherine Johnson‘s autobiography, Reaching for the Moon.

I love that Gene Kranz had a proto #bulletjournal system during the Apollo missions.

I love-hate that he made sure his team could recognize them by pasting Sports Illustrated swimsuit models on the covers.

#spaceracereading

Quite an interesting bio of the first man in space (though it also mentions the continuing conspiracy theory that Gagarin was beaten by another Russian who had gone up a short time earlier). I thought Gagarin‘s relationships with Korolev and Khrushchev were very interesting — especially considering the other conspiracy theory that the crash that killed Gagarin was no accident.

Next, back to the Americans — Gene Kranz‘s memoir. #spaceracereading

Very interesting overview of the events leading up to and resulting from the launch of the first satellite to orbit (though mostly from an American perspective). Dickson mixes thorough research with just enough interpretation. Excellent read.

Next up in my #spaceracereading: Starman: The Truth Behind the Legend of Yuri Gagarin.

This was one of the first books I requested when I first decided to do my #spaceracereading deep dive.

This is one of those graduation gift books that all seem to have the same “lessons” in them. It‘s interesting to read the anecdotes where Aldrin learned them, but the lessons themselves are not unique.

Also, the writing style put me off. It read like Aldrin and his co-writer we‘re trying to manage the optics of some embarrassing...⬇️