Helpful Score: 2
If you are interested in the US space program, enjoyed "THE RIGHT STUFF" and or "APOLLO 13", and like a great tale, then this book is for you! One of Michener's best (IMO). Basic storyline is a fictionalized account of the Apollo program. Always interesting, and even gripping at times.
Helpful Score: 2
Excellant book about the moonshot and the historical lineage to get us there.
Helpful Score: 2
One of his best that I've read so far. Takes one through the WWII years in Germany up to almost the shuttle space program with many insights about our search for meaning in the universe. Lots of adventure and close calls, so it's more than just a scholarly dissertation, in fact Michener never writes anything "dully". Just finished 'Hawaii' and before that last year, 'The Drifters' and before that a mammoth book / story like Hawaii called 'Alaska'. Have your dictionary handy, this author has been around the world many times.
Helpful Score: 1
James Michener's "Space" is a novel (historical fiction) on the scientific development of rocketry and space travel. He begins at the very beginning, with American and Russian interests trying to lure fleeing German V-2 scientists into their war/weaponry programs before the fall of Hitler's Germany. Michener then goes on to chart the developments in the budding space program, from the launch of the Russian satellite "Sputnik", to the space race, to the moon landing, the development of the space shuttle, and finally interplanetary travel to Mars.
Give Michener credit for being a prophet: He predicts the problems we are now facing with the heat tiles on the space shuttle, and he predicts the interplanetary interest in Mars.
Michener uses fictional characters based after the original 7 NASA astronauts. One character has a strong resemblance to John Glenn. These characters are the focus that the developing story revolves around. It is a good story, probably suited for the reader with an interest in space exploration, NASA, and space travel. I have read it twice and was engrossed both times, but then I love Michener. It seems there is no in-between opinion on Michener's writing style - you either like him or you don't. I happen to be in the former category and enjoy his lengthy and in-depth writing prose.
"Space" is a good read for those with an interest in space travel.
Give Michener credit for being a prophet: He predicts the problems we are now facing with the heat tiles on the space shuttle, and he predicts the interplanetary interest in Mars.
Michener uses fictional characters based after the original 7 NASA astronauts. One character has a strong resemblance to John Glenn. These characters are the focus that the developing story revolves around. It is a good story, probably suited for the reader with an interest in space exploration, NASA, and space travel. I have read it twice and was engrossed both times, but then I love Michener. It seems there is no in-between opinion on Michener's writing style - you either like him or you don't. I happen to be in the former category and enjoy his lengthy and in-depth writing prose.
"Space" is a good read for those with an interest in space travel.
39 weeks on the NYT bestseller list.
Very good Michener tale about the early days of the US space program.
Space. It is the object of dreams and daring of countless men and women who have made it the last, great frontier of human endeavor. James Michener has brought the human touch to that exciting exploration by bringing to life six men and women. Their dedication to the space experience defines its complexities and fascination as no other writer can.
