“A Man on the Moon” by Andrew Chaikin
reviewed by Tim Callender
The in-depth story of Project Apollo, the mission to land man on the moon. This is a thoroughly well-done book that draws on meticulous research and the first-person accounts of those who were there.
Chaikin dispels the carefully crafted image of an astronaut corps composed of elite Americans united as one in the goal to reach the moon. Instead he reveals the individuals behind the image. We see how these personalities clash and come together to make Apollo such an amazing success. Additionally, we learn of the other men involved in shaping the project, from the mission controllers to the science specialists.
Chaikin gives a great wealth of information for each mission. The stories truly come to life. One senses the extraordinary risks involved and the willingness of every astronaut to take those risks. After reading all these travellers’ tales, one comes away with the impression that the most important missions were not always the most famous.
As revealing as the missions themselves is the final chapter, where the astronauts tell of their post-Apollo lives. The reactions of the astronauts are as varied as the men themselves.