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Summary: One of the most inspiring books I have ever read
Review: After spending a week carefully poring over this book, I went from joy to sorrow, and from love to hate. The characters are so believable, and throughout the book you learn of their entire lives that you can really feel for them. Has made me wish that I were so priviledged.
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Summary: Excellent Story about the history of the space program
Review: Although not as historically accurate as some of his other works, it is an extremely entertaining book. Michener added some space exploration events that never happened. However, he clarifies this prior to the start of the novel. Many of the people are portrayed accurately.
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Summary: If you want to go into space but can't, read this book.
Review: As with all Michener novels, Space is rather long. However, his detailed descriptions will keep you riveted to this book. If you want to experience the life of an astronaut, from first ambitions to final flight, this is the book to read. It's the next best thing to actual space travel.
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Summary: Written by a Gifted Artist
Review: For what he is, the great author James Michener is not a scientist or an engineer. Having said that, he writes books that are epics and in many ways unique creations. I keep copies and have for many years at close hand of Texas, Alaska, Hawaii, and the Source. I have read most of them each at least twice.All of his books, or at least the epics follow the same format. He mixes fictional characters with the outline and time lines of the real history and real people to create a powerful tale. If you do not care for his 1000 page epic approach then this book is not for you. So this book can never be expected to be 100% factually accurate nor can we expect that. All we can expect is a good story in the Michener tradition - which he delivers. Like all his books they are part educational and part inspiration. I thought it was an excellent book, but he has himself set high standards and my favorites are still Hawaii and Alaska. Four stars. Recommend. Jack in Toronto
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Summary: SHOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER
Review: I enjoyed reading this book, but I couldn't help feeling that JM missed an opportunity to bring some really great characters more fully to life. JM tends to stick in a lot of information that might be better suited if it was more integrally worked into the plot. The characters were very memorable, but they didn't seem to do a whole lot throughout the book. JM has written better books and I will keep reading his vast catalog.
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Summary: SHOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER
Review: I enjoyed reading this book, but I couldn't help feeling that JM missed an opportunity to bring some really great characters more fully to life. JM tends to stick in a lot of information that might be better suited if it was more integrally worked into the plot. The characters were very memorable, but they didn't seem to do a whole lot throughout the book. JM has written better books and I will keep reading his vast catalog.
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Summary: Unfocused
Review: I found myself unable to get through this book without skimming only the first sentence in each paragraph. While it is perhaps a necessity of the subject matter, all of the main characters (Especially Mr. and Mrs. John Pope) appeared to be without fault, and their lack of emotional growth throughout their lifetimes made them boring. Furthermore, the author has a tendancy to describe trivial details of the lives of minor characters, with no hope that they will become significant to the plot later. However, I found myself enchanted by the fictional Apollo 18 mission to the "Other Side" of the moon, and some of the technical aspects of the work. The classic film "The Right Stuff" based on the Tom Wolfe book of the same name covers the space race in a much more engaging and dramatic fashion.
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Summary: THE book to read about the space race.
Review: I loved reading this book. It may be long but stick at it. James Michener threaded the characters stories together really well to form what I consider to be book of the century!
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Summary: Fair for Michener; read Tom Wolfe
Review: If you're interested in the space program, Michener does a fine job covering the history of the US space program from the fifties up to around the beginning of the shuttle program. But it is a Michener novel, so expect the usual melodrama. I highly recommend as an alternative Tom Wolfe's *book* "The Right Stuff" (the movie was okay, the book is much better) which is a more focused history of the early part of the US space program concentrating on the Mercury program and the original seven astronauts.
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Summary: Just a beginer
Review: In responce to sean of from Little Silver, New Jersey. I am only through the first chapter and i allready feel like i've read an entire book. Its not bland like most i have read. I to aspire to go into the field of space exploration, and this novel only lets my imagination expand more. Like Professor Anderson said "The stars reach out and grab you. They infect your mind...you'll always be a prisoner." That's what this book has done, i cant put it down. It definitly deserves five stars.
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