Werhner Von Braun: Space Visionary and Rocket Engineer (Makers of Modern Science)

Rating:
Summary: Fine Introduction to von Braun
Review: This is a very good book that covers the life of Dr. Wernher von Braun without getting too deep in details. The book is a quick read at about 130 pages but you still get a good overall view of von Braun's life. The best part of the book is where the authors cover the years before von Braun became involved with NASA. They do not shy away from his involvement with the German SS and the problems he faced from his past after he moved to the United States, yet they do not paint him as a war criminal as some have attempted to do. This book sites sources and contains a glossary and is well indexed. There are a few technical and editing mistakes (the Apollo-Soyuz mission did not take place in 1957 as stated on page 117, nor were Saturn rockets used for any Gemini missions as stated on page 104), but these problems do not override the main thrust of the book. If you have heard of Dr. von Braun and have wanted to know more, this is a great introduction to the man and his interesting life.

Rating:
Summary: Fine Introduction to von Braun
Review: This is a very good book that covers the life of Dr. Wernher von Braun without getting too deep in details. The book is a quick read at about 130 pages but you still get a good overall view of von Braun's life. The best part of the book is where the authors cover the years before von Braun became involved with NASA. They do not shy away from his involvement with the German SS and the problems he faced from his past after he moved to the United States, yet they do not paint him as a war criminal as some have attempted to do. This book sites sources and contains a glossary and is well indexed. There are a few technical and editing mistakes (the Apollo-Soyuz mission did not take place in 1957 as stated on page 117, nor were Saturn rockets used for any Gemini missions as stated on page 104), but these problems do not override the main thrust of the book. If you have heard of Dr. von Braun and have wanted to know more, this is a great introduction to the man and his interesting life.

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: This was an interesting book. I probably would not have read this book if my great-grandfather wasn't a member of von Braun's rocket team that came over from Germany. I learned a lot about World WarII from this book. I even learned a little about rocket propulsion(how a rocket goes).