The All-American Boys
by Walter Cunningham
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Book Summary Information
Author: Walter CunninghamEdition: Music CD
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language); English (Published)
Published: 2003-07-04
ISBN: 1427617368
Publisher: IBooks
Book Reviews of The All-American Boys
Book Review: Must read (or listen) for space history lovers.
Summary: 5 Stars
This review is based off of the audio edition of the book.
The All-American Boys is different than any other space program history book I've read. Walter Cunningham takes you on an emotional ride, from the tragedy of the Apollo 1 fire to the funny antics of the early astronauts as they participated in the great game of one-upping each other. If you truly want to know what it was like to be an astronaut, not just in space, but day-to-day, then this is the book to have. What was training like? What did the astronauts think of each other then and what do they think of each other now? How did NASA decide who to send on which missions, and who would have the coveted prize of being the first to land on the moon? These are just a few of the questions he answers. (And for those who must know, yes, he does tell you how they went to the bathroom in space.)
In addition to being a historical recounting of the Apollo program, this is also a great opinion piece. Mr. Cunningham delves into the issues of the space shuttle, including how the Columbia and Challenger accidents were (and should have been) handled. Is there a benefit to international space cooperation, and is it worth the disadvantages? Is the ISS worth the cost, and should the US really have invested so much in making it an international project? Is space tourism a good plan for the future? Is it important to go back to the moon, or plan for a manned landing on Mars? Is a manned space program worth the risk? This book is a great opportunity to hear the opinions on these questions from one who has looked down on the Earth at its most vulnerable - as a small piece in a much larger puzzle.
Specific to the audio edition, as the listener, you aren't just being told a chronicling of events, but rather are fully involved in the journey. Walter Cunningham's reading really gets you into the emotions he felt as he relates his story. You can almost feel what he was feeling, from his excitement as he watched Alan Shepard lift off on his suborbital flight, to his eagerness and anticipation as he waited for his name to make the primary crew list. But any edition of this book is a must for any space enthusiast.
Summary of The All-American Boys
Walter Cunningham was a former Marine jet jockey and physicist who became NASA's second civilian astronaut. This no-holds-barred candid memoir presents the astronauts in all their strengths and their weaknesses. From its insider's view of the pervasive "astropolitics" to its thoughtful discussion of the Columbia tragedy, The All-American Boys resonates with Cunningham's passion for humanity's destiny in space which edures today. This audio book is narrated by Walter Cunningham himself.Memoirs Books
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