Rocket Men

`In 1968 we sent men to the Moon. They didn't leave bootprints, but it was the first time humans ever left Earth for another destination. That mission was Apollo 8. And Rocket Men, under Robert Kurson's compelling narrative, is that under-told story.' - Neil deGrasse Tyson, author of Space Chronicles 'With Rocket Men, Robert Kurson tells the tale of Apollo 8 with novelistic detail and immediacy, expertly capturing the urgency and suspense behind the mission that gave America the lead in the Space Race.' -Andy Weir, New York Times bestselling author of The Martian and Artemis `Rocket Men is a riveting introduction to the [Apollo 8] flight ... Kurson details the mission in crisp, suspenseful scenes ... [A] gripping book.' - The New York Times Book Review `Rocket Men is close-to-the-bone adventure-telling on a par with Alfred Lansing's Endurance and Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air. It's as close to a movie as writing gets.' -Mary Roach, The Washington Post `Rocket Men is a timely and thrilling reminder of a heroic American achievement - three dashing astronauts and the first rendezvous with the moon. It has it all - suspense, drama, risk and loving families. We could use those days again.' -Tom Brokaw `Robert Kurson takes us on mankind's first trip to the moon in 1968, another time when it seemed America was tearing itself apart. But on Christmas Eve, we raised our eyes skyward and were inspired by the bravery and eloquence of the three Apollo 8 astronauts as they orbited the moon and reminded us of our common humanity.' -Chesley `Sully' Sullenberger, author of Highest Duty `This is the story of the most consequential and daring voyage since those in the era of Columbus, the Apollo 8 mission to the moon. The tale is told with the care and clarity, and the heart-banging drama, that Robert Kurson's legion of readers have come to expect from him. A flat-out terrific book.' -Scott Turow, author of Presumed Innocent and Testimony `As a Rocket Woman myself, I know very well the story of Apollo 8, and yet I couldn't put this book down ... Kurson presents not only the challenges, risks, ambition, and success of Apollo 8, but a story of human spirit.' Nicole Stott, NASA ISS and space shuttle astronaut 'Gripping ... Space buffs will enjoy this accessible and engaging account of human ingenuity and exploration.' -Library Journal `Spectacular ... [Rocket Men] carries on in great style through 350-some pages of daring, adventure, risk-taking and so much more ... Kurson's portraits of the men, as well as their wives, their families and space-program colleagues, are intimate and artfully drawn.' -Chicago Tribune `Immersive ... absolutely riveting ... A gripping tale, well told.' -Booklist `Kurson's first-rate account of this remarkable spaceflight starts by reminding us what a gamble it was, a revelatory wake-up nudge for anyone who thinks moon flights were routine ... There are many pieces to the Apollo 8 story, but Kurson brings them together effortlessly.' -USA Today `Engrossing ... Kurson builds suspense around a mind-bendingly complex and dangerous journey.' -Associated Press `Robert Kurson has carried out meticulous research, including long interviews with Apollo 8's crew, as well as Mission Control staff. His account of the Apollo 8 mission, 50 years ago this December, comes to life in such detail that it reads like a page-turning thriller.' -Good Reading, Five Stars `Kurson holds readers rapt to the heartwarming finale.' - Vanity Fair `A ripping account of the 1968 voyage into the little known ... Kurson has captured it well. Like Apollo 8, it is mission accomplished.' -Weekend Herald `Refreshing ... The book will bring long-deserved attention to a mission that has been overshadowed ... Apollo 8's success not only salvaged the space program but also managed to relieve the pessimism regarding the future into which the country had plunged.' -Lincoln Journal Star `Breathing life into history is a speciality of Robert Kurson's ... Kurson never allows his exhaustive research to get in the way of the story, crafting remarkable nonfiction adventures that put readers at the centre of the action ... Not only are readers at the centre of the story, but at what feels like the centre of the universe as Kurson narrates the journey of man's first trip to the moon.' -Mountain Times