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Rocket Men
Rocket Men: The Daring Odyssey of Apollo 8 and the Astronauts who Made Man's First Journey to the Moon | Robert Kurson
16 posts | 14 read | 18 to read
The inside, lesser-known story of NASA's boldest and riskiest mission: Apollo 8, mankind's first journey to the Moon on Christmas in 1968. A riveting account of three heroic astronauts who took one of the most dangerous space flights ever, from the New York Times bestselling author of Shadow Divers. In early 1968, the Apollo program was on shaky footing. President Kennedy's end-of-decade deadline to put a man on the Moon was in jeopardy, and the Soviets were threatening to pull ahead in the space race. By August 1968, with its back against the wall, NASA decided to scrap its usual methodical approach and shoot for the heavens. With just four months to prepare--a fraction of the normal time--the agency would send the first men in history to the Moon. In a year of historic violence and discord--the Tet offensive, the assassinations of MLK and RFK, the Chicago DNC riots--the Apollo 8 mission was the boldest test of what America could do. With a focus on astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and Bill Anders, and their wives and children, this is a vivid, gripping, you-are-there narrative that shows anew the epic danger involved, and the singular bravery it took, for man to leave Earth for the first time--and to arrive at a new world.
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Howseldomtheydo
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Last week I was #reading on the beach, this week I‘m back up north wearing my winter coat 😢 I was 7 when Apollo 8 orbited the moon. Really enjoyed this book.

Cathythoughts Gorgeous pic 💫 2y
62 likes1 comment
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CRR
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Pickpick

This was an entertaining read and very informative about something I knew very little about. I actually did not know anything about the mission of Apollo 8 and their first ever journey around the moon. It read easy because it was fun. I am interested in reading other books by the author and maybe even other space missions.

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BestDogDad
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Only four books in February. I need to pick up the pace. I blame the low output on my inability to stay up late due to being exhausted from shoveling 40” of snow this month. #Februarywrapup

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BestDogDad
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1️⃣ Picture taken a couple days ago before the 5” of snow today 😖

2️⃣ It‘s OK. The winters are long but we live near the Mississippi River which is scenic

3️⃣ 🚀

4️⃣ Evenings until I fall asleep

5️⃣ Tacos

#friyayintro @howjessreads

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Bookwormjillk
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Pickpick

Fascinating- in depth details about the flight as well as a really good look at where this achievement fit in American history. Highly recommend (read as audiobook)

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BestDogDad
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Pickpick

Apollo 8 was the first time human beings traveled beyond Earth orbit to another world- three astronauts traveled to the moon and made ten orbits before returning to Earth. Despite the fact that Apollo 8 took place during late December 1968 and was soon overshadowed by Apollo 11‘s moon landing mission in July 1969; those at NASA, including the Apollo 11 crew, talk reverentially about Apollo 8. And you will understand why when you read the book.

13 likes1 stack add
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Bookwormjillk
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It‘s been a while since we could settle on an audiobook for the car, but we are loving this one so far.

31 likes1 stack add
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BestDogDad
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Next up: the Apollo 8 story.

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Joanster5
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this. My first audio for 2019. I enjoyed learning about this mission. Lots of interesting information on the astronauts and their wives.

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jdiehr
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Okay, so maybe technically this wasn't a traditional #audiowalk, but it was walking distance from my house and I was listening to the audio of the control room as they prepared for the launch.
How do you not share a picture of a Delta IV Heavy rocket launch from Vandenberg AFB??
Pretty cool to see.
#litsywalkers

DarcysMom Super cool! 5y
tracey38 That's awesome! 5y
Kaye Neat photo 5y
Tanisha_A Ooh! 5y
43 likes5 comments
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AngieAvers
Pickpick

The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat Buffet by Edward Kelsey Moore - 5*

Odette, Clarice, and Barbara Jean are 3 very different young women who form a bond of incredible friendship. Their story is told over a few years with the use of flashbacks.
The greatest quality of this book is that it touches on some very hard facts of life while also being extremely hilarious.

This may be my favorite book of the year, so fa

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Jennb31
Pickpick

I didn‘t know much about Apollo 8 before reading this book. Kurson gave a plethora of insight into what it was like to be a part of the space program during this time. He completed a great deal of research and interviewed astronauts and those who worked in mission control to build this world for those of us who will never fully understand or be a part of the world of rockets and space exploration.

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Floresj
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Pickpick

Definitely nonfiction that reads like fiction. Even though I knew how this one ends, I still was nervous while reading about various parts of the under told story of Apollo 8. Idealistic story telling, but the mission was near impossible and it was enjoyable to read a positive book.

7 likes1 stack add
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Lissa00
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March Stats! For some reason my nonfiction reading has over taken my fiction reading. I‘m not entirely sure why, though.

Andrew65 Well done. 🙌 6y
JanuarieTimewalker13 Impressive!👌🏽 6y
tpixie Awesomeness! Great job! The Astronauts book sounds great!! 6y
See All 7 Comments
Lissa00 @tpixie It is sooooo good! 6y
mrozzz That also happened to me this month! 6y
tpixie @Lissa00 🎉🎉🎉 6y
99 likes1 stack add7 comments
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Lissa00
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Pickpick

This book is about the Apollo 8 mission which was the first to get up close to the moon. It is fitting that I read this at the same time that we visited the Kennedy Space Center. I am a huge proponent of the space program taking big leaps and this was a well written account of a another time (1968) when such exploration was needed for the unity of the country. Pub 4/3. #netgalley

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LibrarianRyan
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For those wondering, I ended up choosing (and getting approved) Rocket Men. It's not out til April but it has already been prepurchased on e and eaudio for our library.

Plus it brought about discussion about changing our budget categories.

jpmcwisemorgan This looks like it could be a good choice, and it‘ll be good to promote something before it‘s even available and maybe drum up some extra interest. I hope that some things change regarding funding! 6y
RebelReader I can see how that would be frustrating. Good luck on your newsletter. 6y
Kaye Sounds like a good choice. My husband would like it since he likes books about the space program. I hope your discussion did some good. I‘ve heard other librarians say that the behind the scenes “politics” can get frustrating. I think I‘d rather stay on the customer side of the desk. But your side pays better than mine. 🙂 6y
68 likes1 stack add3 comments