Heroes of the Space Age

""Outstanding . . . . Rod Pyle presents us with excellent information, new facts, and important behind-the-scenes contributions that combine to highlight the exciting era of space exploration and development. From well-known to lesser-known missions, from the most familiar names to unsung heroes, Pyle shows us crucial parts of our space history and illuminates those who helped make it happen. This is a must-read book and a valuable reference for your library.” —Dr. David Livingston, host, The Space Show“Pyle takes us deep into the world of early space exploration, opening windows not only into the lives of well-known players, but into those of a few lesser-known yet crucial contributors as well. Perfect for those who think they've heard everything there is on the subject. A great read from the first page to the last.” —George D. Morgan, author of Rocket Girl: The Story of Mary Sherman Morgan, America's First Female Rocket Scientist “Offers entertaining and enlightening accounts of some of those who sought to leave Earth during the space race of the 1960s. Pyle focuses on a number of well-known individuals—Yuri Gagarin, John Glenn, Valentina Tereshkova, Gene Kranz, Margaret Hamilton, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Pete Conrad—and tells their stories with unique insight. He opens a window on their personalities, quirks, and desires, offering scintillating portraits of some of the towering figures who pushed back the frontier of space.” —Roger D. Launius, former chief historian of NASA “The names in this book might be familiar, but Pyle illuminates each figure with such a detailed backstory that even the most fervent space fan will see these remarkable men and women in a whole new light.” —Amy Shira Teitel, author of Breaking the Chains of Gravity“Nothing great has ever been accomplished without courage. In Heroes of the Space Age, Pyle tells the grand tales of some of those who supplied what it took to open the space frontier. These are stories well worth taking to heart if we hope to go further.”—Robert Zubrin, author of The Case for Space and president of Pioneer Astronautics