This is the first Michener book I've read.

I picked it up with the anticipation of delving into a detailed and immersive account of the Apollo program, and I wasn't let down. However, what truly surprised me was the deeper central contrast that Michener skillfully draws in the social, religious, and political developments from the end of World War II through to the Reagan era. It's remarkable how relevant this contrast is to the conflicts we are currently facing.

He accomplishes this mainly through the character of Strabismus. Initially, Strabismus capitalizes on the Sputnik anxiety to promote tabloid stories about little green men, posing as a phony academic and making a fortune by selling mail-order degrees. He continuously anticipates the shifting public opinion to amass money and power, eventually tapping into a wave of anti-science, fundamentalist sentiment that propels him to power as a prominent televangelist.

Michener presents this as a regression into the dark ages, in contrast to the relative pinnacle of Enlightenment values represented by the moon landings. It's difficult to dispute this analysis, especially when we see how evolution, vaccination, cell phone towers, heliocentrism, and the moon landings themselves have become the targets of an increasing number of conspiracy theorists.

What's truly striking is how Stanley Mott, the scientific protagonist of the novel, approaches all of this. Mott doesn't rage against this affront to science. He doesn't enter politics to engage in a tit-for-tat battle. He doesn't succumb to despair. Instead, he doggedly continues to advocate for progress and truth. And finally, he manages to break through to Strabismus himself by appealing to his curiosity and sense of wonder, of all things.

Perhaps there is a valuable lesson here for us all.

As a longtime fan of Michener, I have to say that my rating for this novel erred on the generous side.

I obtained my college degree in engineering and entered the workforce approximately 6 weeks before the first moon landing. I was working right across the street from the Johnson Spacecraft Center. Therefore, the subject matter held great interest for me. While I suspect that many laymen readers might have become impatient with the embedded tutorials on celestial mechanics or often felt overwhelmed by an avalanche of numbers, that particular part fascinated me. However, I did think that he got a bit repetitious at times.

Two aspects of the book bothered me. One was the fabrication of two fictitious states. I vividly remember a character in Michener's "The Drifters" who was meticulous about knowing his exact location during his travels - what other places shared the same latitude/longitude and other geographical details that would precisely pinpoint his position. And "Space" takes the reader to numerous real places in the US and around the world. So, fictionalizing the US states seemed to me an unforgivable offense.

The other thing was the subplot of Dr. Strabismus. Although the themes of science vs religion and the public's growing weariness of the space program, along with questioning the expenditures and even the authenticity of the various missions, were valid elements of the novel, I believe that the story of this charlatan and his entanglement with the senator's family could have been omitted from the novel, thereby making it approximately 200 pages shorter. (Not that length has ever been a deterrent to my reading of Michener). If he had wanted to write a separate book about a swindler who took money from the gullible who believed his wild claims about "little green men" and eventually evolved into a pseudo-religious figure conning people on an even grander scale, he could have pursued that approach, and "Space" would have been a better novel as a result.

Nevertheless, the depth of research and the presentation of this proud era in American history are truly impressive and make "Space" a worthwhile read.

After having read this book over 30 years ago, I decided to re-read it in celebration of the USA's return to launching humans into space from our own shores on our own rockets. It was a truly remarkable experience.

Michener does an outstanding job of accurately presenting a history through fiction of the American Rocket and manned space programs. The plot spans from a period just before the conclusion of WWII into the mid-80s. The first chapter is incredibly gripping and introduces a diverse cast of characters from various aspects of Americana, including a small immigrant group of German scientists and their families.

As the characters develop and play out their roles, the reader becomes more attuned to where man's exploration of space fits into the American social and political experiences. The story skillfully reveals the tension between the best way to actually study and explore the heavens and the dramatization and politicization of ensuring humans are directly involved in the journey.

However, my only dissatisfaction with this novel is the way it sort of fizzled out at the end. Despite this, all in all, it is definitely worth reading again. It offers a fascinating and thought-provoking look at a significant period in American history and the exploration of space.

Like all his books, this one offers a good leisurely read in his unique personal style.

The author has put in a great deal of research, just as he does in all his writings. It is truly a pity that he is currently underappreciated. However, I firmly believe that this situation will cure itself in another 100 years.

His works possess a certain charm and depth that may not be immediately recognized by the current generation. But as time passes and people's perspectives change, his true talent and the value of his books will surely come to light.

Perhaps future generations will look back on his works with admiration and wonder, realizing what they have missed. Until then, we can only hope that more people will discover and appreciate his writing for the gems that they are.

A well-written fictional account of the space race. Michener is renowned for his fictional history, perhaps doing it better than most. However, in this particular work, it seems to fall short.

Real individuals like Lyndon Johnson are intertwined with fictional astronauts and engineers. The main reason it fails to engage me is that just three years prior, Tom Wolfe published "The Right Stuff". This was based on actual events and people, and Wolfe had spent years conducting detailed research.

Here, Michener is essentially telling the same story but substituting fictional characters. While his fictional history is often captivating, in this case, it lacks the authenticity and depth that Wolfe's work achieved. It makes one wonder if Michener could have done more to make this account stand out and truly capture the essence of the space race.

Overall, despite Michener's reputation, this fictional account of the space race doesn't quite measure up to the standards set by Wolfe's "The Right Stuff".

Michener has been dubbed as an info dumper by some highly regarded reader friends of mine. In many aspects of this book, it seemed as if I was perusing the Encyclopedia Brittanica. There was a sense of disjointedness. I truly relished certain portions of the book, particularly when we accompanied John Pope as he was initially delving into and falling head over heels in love with space. However, other parts didn't seem to have a direct bearing on the overall plot. The majority of the characters lacked depth and the book was extremely LONG. It was far longer than it ought to have been. This would likely appeal to die-hard Michener fans, but for other space aficionados, perhaps there are more engaging reads available elsewhere.

Classic Michener presents an epic historical fiction that spans from the end of the Second World War through the moon landing, the space race, and beyond.

Regardless of your present view on this magnificent and captivating topic, "Space" offers a well-paced 800+ page narrative that delves into the cultural phenomenon of sending a man to the moon. It explores why we failed to build on that momentum and venture further. Additionally, it touches upon the science vs religion debate, questioning if such a conflict is truly necessary.

All of this is told through memorable characters, each with their own unique contributions. Some you'll find likable, while others may not resonate with you.

If you have a penchant for sweeping and far-reaching stories, this book is an excellent choice. It provides a comprehensive and engaging look at a significant period in history, filled with drama, adventure, and thought-provoking ideas.

Whether you're a history buff, a science enthusiast, or simply someone who enjoys a good story, "Space" has something to offer. It will transport you to a time of great exploration and discovery, and leave you with a deeper understanding of the events that shaped our world.

A Veritable Door-Stopper of a Book

Michener's books are renowned for their heft, and this one is no exception. It's a veritable door-stopper, yet it's also a barn-storming read that keeps you hooked from start to finish.

It's extremely engaging, with a narrative that is always interesting. In light of the recent sacrifices made by the space program, this book serves as a powerful testament to why we reach for the stars. It reminds us of the phrase "ad astra per aspera" - through hardships to the stars.

The story takes you on a journey that explores the human spirit's drive to explore the unknown and push the boundaries of what is possible. It shows the determination and courage of those involved in the space program, and the sacrifices they make in the pursuit of knowledge and discovery.

Overall, this is a must-read book for anyone interested in space exploration, human history, or just a great story. It's a book that will leave you inspired and in awe of the human spirit's ability to achieve great things.

It is truly fascinating to pick up this book almost 40 years after its publication.

One can observe how the fundamental science that initially kick-started the space race has now become so deeply ingrained in mainstream education.

Equally interesting, yet more concerning, is the extent to which commercialism is emerging as a driving force behind such endeavors in the present day.

In numerous aspects, this is a characteristic Michener book. However, it has a more restricted scope and a smaller cast of characters compared to some of his other works.

Nonetheless, it appeals to me, and I would rate this effort among my favorites.

While not all the characters resonated with me (such as Mott, Strabismus, and Grant), there were indeed some that did (like Pope [Penny and John], Claggett, and Kolff).

The book offers a unique perspective on the evolution of science and its intersection with various aspects of society, making it a captivating read even after all these years.

What is essentially a saga on the space race from the first rocket flight to the Space Shuttle program, with some fictional characters thrown in to protect the innocent, this reads like a work of a documentalist rather than a novelist.

Countless recitations of anecdotes, using some arcane vocabulary, overwrought dialogue and void of metaphors or similes, mix historical and fictional events. The author seems to be more focused on presenting the facts rather than creating a captivating narrative.

Characters are mostly interchangeable, almost universally of the highest integrity and morality. They lack the depth and complexity that would make them truly engaging.

While some of the anecdotes are truly enthralling, adding more detail just makes the book longer, but does not necessarily make for a more profound story. The pacing is often slow, and the reader may find themselves losing interest at times.

The need to emphasize the political maneuverings is clearly understood as this was written around the time of the first operational Space Shuttle flight. Michener was an excellent choice to pay homage to this significant event, but perhaps he played it too safe. The book could have benefited from a more大胆的 approach to storytelling.

Gift from neighbour.

James Michener and his Magnificent and Prescient Novel Space

I initially knew very little about the American space program and all that it encompasses. However, after delving into Michener's work, I have been enlightened. What truly enthralls me is how Michener's remarkable prescience has managed to capture the essence of today's era in this country's political scene. His advice for unity as an indispensable ingredient is not only timely but also extremely compelling. Mr. James Michener's novels are far more than just products of imagination and fiction. They contain true real facts interjected within the narrative, which can impart valuable knowledge and offer a unique learning experience. Most importantly, they are not filled with distorted or fake facts. They are the real deal. He is indeed one of my favorite writers and rightfully belongs in my pantheon of greats, which includes Twain, Tom Wolf, Dostoevsky, Steinbeck, Joan Didion, Virginia Woolf, and many others. His works have the power to transport readers to different worlds while also making them think deeply about the real world around them.

It hurts a little bit to give this book 3 stars. There is so much within its pages that was truly inspiring and interesting. However, when looking at the book as a whole, it felt like a real slog to get through. There were certain parts of this book that I will remember for a long time, as they were engaging and thought-provoking. But unfortunately, the middle section was a bit of a bore, lacking the same level of excitement and momentum.

Thankfully, the end of the book picked up a lot. It brought back some of the energy and interest that had been lacking earlier. But then, I was left a bit unsatisfied with the ending. It didn't quite deliver the final punch or resolution that I was hoping for. Overall, it was a bit of a mixed bag of a reading experience.