Rating: 
Summary: The Real Deal
Review: You liked the movie Apollo 13? Well, this guy lived it. Nothing is candy coated here, this is the nuts and bolts of what it took to get men into space and an insight into the real meaning of the word "leadership." It is fashionable to cull phrases like "Failure is not an option" and insert them into business manuals for people selling widgets and nick-nacks. Well, when people like Gene Kranz were inventing space flight from scratch, they knew men's lives were at stake, not some quartley profit figure. And by the way, just like "Play it again, Sam" ... Mr. Kranz never did speak the words you heard in the movie. But read this book and find out what he did say and what it was like to really make a difference at a time when America was filled with young people who wanted to do great things. He's a true American hero and this book is a treasure and an inspiration.
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Summary: Failure is Not an Option, and Kranz didn't fail here!
Review: This book is a refreshing insight to the behind-the-scenes activity at Mission Control from the early days of Mercury to the Space Shuttle.The Mission Controllers are truly the unsung and seldom seen heroes of ALL space flights. The astronauts are certainaly the most visible link in the chain, and the ones that always get the glory. This book, however, brings you into the control room...it gives a sense of what it was like to be there, and the critical need to live, work, and act as a team. For his first effort, Kranz is to be commended for his ability to blend the specific details with humor, emotion, and insight. Few other books on the space program are able to take the highly technical jargon that was the first language of the controllers and turn it into an enjoyable read. These dedicated people worked 'round the clock to make sure all was well with every aspect of every mission. When a problem cropped up, they found the answers. Eugene Kranz has done well to preserve history for us by taking the copious notes he kept and molding them into a great story.
Rating:
Summary: educational, entertaining, worth it!
Review: For those of us who didn't group up during the space race, we are in need of education. For those of you who did, this may be an opportunity to hear about what was happening behind the scenes. This book provides a captivating story of the space program and a historical record of what happened from someone who lived it. If either of those interest you, this is a great book.
Rating:
Summary: Failure... an option????
Review: Gene Kranz writes a novel amazing intriuging and completely absorbing.... can we believe it??? The theme is one of true life total NON-fiction shows his passion towards his work and his totall amazement of what man has done in the time they were givin the plot to go to space in the time that they were given to do so. Many people helped in the effort and we acheived our goal in space and in life we did what we set out to do and many people revel this curious amazement. Many people were involved in this amazing race towards space and the moon and beliieve it or not wa actually made it in the time we were given to do so. Can we believe this its amazing and completely inspiring this has been T-BONES REPORT
Rating:
Summary: Very interesting, but a little disappointing
Review: This book should have been subtitled: "Mission CONTROLLERS from Mercury to Apollo 13 and Beyond" because it's the story of the PEOPLE in mission control, not an explanation of how mission controllers do their jobs. If you accept that, you won't be disappointed with the book that Mr. Kranz has written.
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Summary: Calling ALL ENGINEERS-Please Read This
Review: I read this book with great interest. I am a Mechanical Engineer with experience in Materials Science, Plastics, Medical Devices, Turbomachinery, Fire Protection, and Aerospace. This book starts slow, but gets going around the Gemini flights. Every engineer of any type (ALL Engineers should be GENERAL engineers) should read this book. Why? Read on. The book, Failure is Not an Option, shows aspects of engineering such as communicating with each other, utilizing each other's talents,taking risks, working as a team, choosing competent managers, and trusting each other's judgement in order to solve problems. This book shows that engineers NEED to understand, TRAIN WITH, and LISTEN to the operators of ANY sophisticated machine (in this case, a spacecraft.) All of these elements REALLY worked to accomplish the goal of sending a man to the moon in 8 years. Much this "common sense-work together-trust" engineering management style Kranz used during 1960-1972 has been LOST by many corporations today in Corporate America. Companies today NEED to resurrect this mangement style into the Corporate Structure in order to promote a better work environment and increased efficiency. As for engineers, ALL of us are to be successful, technical, competent engineers and managers in all aspects (R&D, Design, Applications, Quality Assurance, Sales, Manufacturing, etc.) of our work. Thank you, Gene. I enjoyed the epilogue about the NEED to restore Space as a Priority on the National Agenda.
Rating:
Summary: Superb insight into the space race
Review: This book details the human and machine story of the early space race. Gene Kranz was there from the very beginning, and right in the thick of it. Detailing some of the hair-raising experiences the crews and mission control teams went through, the book makes absorbing reading for someone who is even only slightly interested in space technology.
Rating:
Summary: An enjoyable read for those interested in the US space progr
Review: The nice thing about 'Failure Is Not an Option' is that it provides a real behind the scenes insights into the space program from an insider. For those in the computer programming, Kranz shows how when teams work together and foster a common trust, in addition to talking responsibility for their actions, how you can indeed send a man to the moon. Some reviews had reservations about Kranz's (sometimes mechanical) writing style and technique; but for those who are not obsessed with the prose and grammar, such items are non-issues. Overall, 'Failure Is Not an Option' is an enjoyable read for those interested in the US space program.
Rating:
Summary: a whirlwind ride
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I have always been interested in space, but when I went to space camp as a child I was not very excited about being in mission control. I was interested then in learning how interesting, vital and high stress mission control really was. Working at times with not much more than a pencil, a cigarette, a team you trusted and nerves of steel, the men of the first Mission Control performed the seemingly impossible. The only complaints I would have are: at times the writing is dry and some people might lose interest (keep going though...) and there are parts that are too quickly glossed over. For instance, at one point it seemed as if the rest of the Apollo missions were to be cancelled and then with little explanation they were back on. For the most part, though, these small issues do very little to diminish the power, emotion and sheer thrill of this book. Mrs. Kranz, if you are reading this, I must say that you come across as one of the most patient, accomodating women I have read about.
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Summary: A Guideline for Space Buffs
Review: This book is much more than just another volume about the Apollo era. Written by famous former flight director Gene Kranz himself, it provides a very detailed and personal look into the world of mission operations from the early days of manned spaceflight to the end of the Apollo program. Besides being very interesting and thrilling it's also full of funny anecdotes. But moreover, "Failure Is Not an Option" is a story about the virtues that have to be developed in order to reach goals and make dreams come true. Tough and competent, discipline and morale are like the central thread in this story which is, in a sense, about an unfinished work. It is a story about teamwork as well, and while Gene Kranz is giving this wonderful account of his work and life at NASA's Flight Control Division he is introducing to us many of his former teammates in the attempt to send men to the moon and return them to earth safely. He credits people most of the readers probably never heard of before, but who still deserve to get mentioned more often. And, of course, not to forget: he also writes about his great wife who had the idea of the now famous mission vests. Gene's absolute dedication shines throughout all the pages of his book as well as his absolute honesty - especially when mentioning other person's greatness and at the same time talking about his own faults. This is sure not the biography of some egocentric person who only sees his own accomplishments. Rather this book is a guideline for all the space buffs out there. The work is still unfinished and the author leaves it up to all us readers to learn the lessons and then do our share of the job. This precious book gives us the means to do so. So, if there is anything negative to say about the book, it's only that it's too short. Thank you Gene for giving us this opportunity to learn from you!
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