Review: One Giant Leap: The Impossible Mission That Flew Us to the Moon by Charles Fishman

Title: One Giant Leap: The Impossible Mission That Flew Us to the Moon
Author: Charles Fishman
Publisher: Simon Schuster
Publication Date: June 11, 2019
Edition: ebook (480 pages)
Genres:

• Nonfiction
• History
• Science
• Space Exploration
• Technology

My Rating: 5 of 5 stars

On May 25, 1961, President Kennedy announced, in a speech to a joint session of Congress, the commitment to land a man on the moon and return him safely to earth, before the decade was out. Charles Fishman tells the remarkable journey of this effort, from beginning to end. Audacious, some called President Kennedy's plan. Others thought it was impossible. Some thought it absolutely something we should do. It's all here in this remarkable book, along with the stories of many at NASA, MIT and other key players.

I think this is perhaps the most remarkable "space" book I've read. It almost reads like a science fiction novel, except every word is true. What really stands out to me is that when President Kennedy set landing on the moon in motion, no one really had a clear plan of how to do so, let alone the scientific know how, tools and technology to do this--and yet so many talented men and women begin to develop these tools, computers, space vehicles--everything needed--all in less than a decade. And, even more remarkable, Mr. Fishman explains how these developments not only put man on the moon and returned him safely to earth, but also ushered in the digital age. I daresay, were it not for the space program, I would not be writing these comments today, or, perhaps, not even had the great pleasure to read this most excellent book in an accessible digital electronic format. This, I think, will always fill me with such excitement and thankfulness. And all the technology has been developed in my lifetime.

I highly recommend this book. Even if you do not have a particular interest in space travel, you will enjoy this book. It is not just about space and the moon landing on July 20, 1969, it is about the tenacity of the human spirit to grow, expand and explore. So many people came together to make the moon landings possible. As Barack Obama said in 2008, "Yes we can." That's what we in America said when the decision to go for the moon was made. Thank you, Mr. Fishman, for preserving this remarkable story for us and future generations to read.