Space is a remarkable book that I read decades ago and still hold in high regard as a masterpiece. It is my favorite work by Michener because he manages to achieve the pinnacle of both educating and entertaining.

For those born after 1965, space exploration and travel have become a part of the norm. However, Michener takes us on a journey back to the very beginning of the space program. This program became a reality following WWII with the "acquisition" of German engineers.

In the book, we are introduced to the larger-than-life personalities who were modeled on the original engineers and navy pilots-turned-astronauts. We can feel the excitement that accompanied the creation of the program and the power of the vision of space exploration. Moreover, we get a true sense of the audacity and courage it took to climb into a seemingly flimsy tin can and be propelled into the atmosphere.

Michener does not shy away from delving into the science involved in space exploration. Instead, he does a masterful job of explaining it in a way that is easily understandable for the average non-engineer. Additionally, he explores the social, emotional, spiritual, and political impact of the space program.

In conclusion, Space provides the reader with a solid understanding and appreciation of the foundation of our current space programs, which we often take for granted. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history and future of space exploration.

I’m tempted to say Tom Wolfe’s, “The Right Stuff” is a better book, but that wouldn’t be exactly true.

The two books are so different that they defy comparison. One is an epic chronicle spanning decades, like a vast tapestry weaving together the history and development of a significant era. It delves deep into the various aspects, leaving no stone unturned.

On the other hand, the other is a very focused and beautifully written narrative. It zooms in on specific details and characters, painting a vivid and engaging picture.

In fact, the books actually compliment one another well. Michener seems to have glossed over the parts of the Space Program that Tom Wolfe so colorfully documented. Wolfe’s work brings to life those overlooked or lesser-known elements, adding depth and a different perspective to the overall story of the Space Program.

Together, these two books offer a more comprehensive and multi-faceted view of this important chapter in history.

It is an interesting mix of facts and fiction that truly engages the reader. In fact, I almost found myself wishing that the Apollo 18 flight had actually taken place. Before reading this, I had the misconception that the moon had a dark side. However, I was corrected to learn that it simply has "the other side," which is not necessarily dark. The book also managed to bring to the forefront my deep-seated despise for any form of fanatism, especially religious fanatism.

Finally, when considering the vastness of the universe, it is truly mind-boggling. When someone mentions parallel universes, I often wonder "what for?" Given that our own universe is seemingly infinite, why should we worry about others? Just think about traveling to Proxima Centauri, our closest neighbor star. It would take 4 light years to reach there. And one light year is an astonishing 9.4 x 10^14 km or 9.4 followed by 14 "0". That's about 37,000 Jovian years! It seems almost too much of a bother to even consider traveling such vast distances.

I thought this book would never reach its conclusion.

I'm truly unsure of how I managed to persevere all the way to the finish line.

It appeared as if it was attempting to neatly wrap itself up in the last third of the book.

As I delved deeper into the story, I grew to really care about the characters within the book.

I firmly believe that this emotional connection with the characters played a significant role in helping me to continue reading.

However, my progress was really delayed in the final fourth of this rather hefty tome.

I think I'm going to take a break from Michener for a while.

I have indeed enjoyed his works in the past; for instance, "Hawaii" was really a wonderful book.

Michener is undoubtedly an amazing author, and I do have a great deal of appreciation for him.

Nonetheless, I am so incredibly glad that this particular book is now over for me.

Worth the Time to Read

I was a freshman in high school when this novel was first published in 1982. Now, 38 years later, I am finally reading it. And I must say, it has been a truly enjoyable experience. It not only entertained me but also inspired me to explore further. I found myself on the NASA website, watching old NASA footage, and on the JPL website, viewing the amazing photos of the planets.

The novel has several sub themes that I wasn't expecting. The main theme is, of course, the space race. But there is also a secondary theme of the war between religion and science. Given the time the novel was published, with the religious right movement just coming into power, it's interesting to see how Michener's fictional events mirror what actually happened in the following years. Here we are in 2020, and the battle between religion and science still rages on. At the end of the book, Michener or one of the characters makes the observation that this battle will likely continue for another thousand years. In essence, the novel shows how the American people came together to put a man on the moon, only to devolve into a more ignorant society afterwards.

Michener passed away in 1997. I can't help but wonder if he would be shocked to see that the American people elected one of their most ignorant citizens as President in the 2016 election.

Anyway, despite its length (952 pages on my Kindle), this novel is definitely worth a read. While I think some of the subplots could have been removed to make the story tighter, overall it's a great book that I will probably read again in the future.

This novel offers an extremely detailed account of the space program and the birth of NASA, commencing from WW2 and extending all the way to the space shuttle program.

One can clearly discern that it is firmly based on scientific facts and extensive historical research. Even though the majority of the characters and a few of the space flights are fictional creations.

The author's previous work experience at NASA is palpable. I have the distinct feeling that I have gleaned a great deal of knowledge, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. However, it was a rather lengthy read, and I believe that the book could have concluded a couple of chapters earlier.

I would highly recommend this book for enthusiasts of historical fiction or those with an interest in space, engineering, or astronomy. It provides a captivating and informative exploration of a fascinating era in human history.

Even though I have a great love for reading Michener's works, I was somewhat reluctant to pick up this particular one. After all, it was written in 1982.

Surely, one might think that the story and the science within it would be heavily outdated by now. Everyone already knows about Neil Armstrong taking the first human steps on the moon.

Wouldn't it be tedious and boring, missing out on all the technological advances that have occurred between then and now? Maybe it's like watching Rocky 3 when you could be watching UFC, we might wonder.

However, this book turns out to be an incredible journey into the history and science that has given birth to the space tech we have today.

In a world where we think we know a lot about space, but in reality, we know very little. We keep thinking we know, only to be constantly reminded that we don't.

The fascination lies in the process of trying to understand.

The book kicks off with World War II. It details what the Nazis were up to with rockets in the very last stages of the war as the Allied and Russian forces advanced on Berlin.

It also shows how the Americans and Russians took that technology by rescuing key German scientists and using them in their respective camps, which eventually led to the Cold War Space Race.

As we follow the American story of landing on the moon, we learn about aviation and test pilots, the Gemini and Apollo projects, Voyager 1&2, and the dream of traveling to Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, and beyond.

In the process, we witness the human struggle to overcome not only scientific and political barriers but also theological and cultural issues that arise when we introduce the concept that the Earth is actually 4.5 billion years old, spinning in the Milky Way Galaxy, which is 150,000 light years across and formed after the big bang 13.7 billion years ago.

What does all of this mean? It's certainly something we can wonder about forever without having a clue! But it's a compulsive wonder that leads us on an incredible journey.

Thanks to James Michener for keeping that spirit alive.

It's good. But "The Right Stuff" is better.

"The Right Stuff" is not just a movie; it's an experience that takes you on a thrilling journey. The story follows a group of test pilots who are chosen to become astronauts and embark on the dangerous mission of space exploration.

The movie is filled with intense action scenes, heart-pounding moments, and a cast of characters that you can't help but root for. The special effects are top-notch, making you feel like you're right there in the cockpit with the astronauts.

What sets "The Right Stuff" apart from other movies is its ability to capture the spirit of adventure and the human desire to reach for the stars. It's a movie that will inspire you to dream big and never give up on your goals.

In conclusion, while the other movie may be good, "The Right Stuff" is truly a masterpiece that should not be missed.

This is not my favorite read by Michener.

The initial 550 or so pages were masterfully crafted and filled to the brim with rich history and profound insights.

However, I had the distinct impression that this work overstayed its welcome. It should have neatly concluded at the end of Chapter 9 - The Dark Side of the Moon.

The final quarter of the book leans more towards fiction and speculation rather than solid history. This, in my opinion, is where it fails to meet the mark. Michener's true strength lies in narrating historical events with great precision and detail. But when it comes to imagining the future (which is now our present), his fiction seems to lack the same depth and authenticity.

Nonetheless, despite its shortcomings, I am still glad that I took the time to read this book. It has offered me a unique perspective and has added to my overall understanding of various aspects.

Perhaps, upon a second reading, I may discover something that I missed the first time around.

Flat characters, dated style, and lacking the depth to confer any real sense of the great accomplishments of the era.

This description seems to be rather critical of a particular work or piece. The flat characters may not have the complexity and nuance that would make them truly engaging and believable. The dated style might give the impression that the work is out of touch with the present times.

Moreover, the lack of depth in presenting the great accomplishments of the era could be a significant drawback. It fails to capture the essence and significance of those achievements, leaving the reader with a rather shallow understanding.

However, it's important to note that this assessment might be subjective. Different people may have different opinions based on their own perspectives and expectations. Perhaps with a more in-depth analysis and exploration, the work could reveal hidden qualities and values that were initially overlooked.

In conclusion, while the criticism of flat characters, dated style, and lack of depth is valid to a certain extent, it's also necessary to approach the work with an open mind and consider other aspects that might contribute to its overall worth.

Published 32 years ago, this novel is both entertaining and enlightening. It showcases Michener's high regard for science fiction writers like Clarke, Weinbaum, and Leiber, while also expressing his reservations about certain trends in this popular genre.

He even takes the liberty of creating a fictional account of an Apollo 18 voyage to explore the far side of the moon. Additionally, he devises two fictional US states, Fremont and Red River. Fremont is located on land taken from Kansas and Nebraska, while Red River is an obvious southern state.

The reason for this becomes clear towards the end when the electorate of Fremont votes to ban the teaching of evolution in public schools and purge public libraries of titles promoting "atheistic humanism" at the behest of a charlatan preacher named Strabismus.

The novel is rich in well-researched information about the birth and progress of the American space effort. The four main characters are Dieter Kolff, a German rocket scientist who fled Nazi Germany, Stanley Mott, an engineer-scientist, John Pope, a test pilot-turned-astronaut, and his wife Penny, a highly astute Senate counselor and political operative.

This book not only taught me a great deal but also offered an enjoyable and nostalgic look back at the exciting years of my youth. It also reveals Michener's interest in and sensitivity to eschatological concerns that even the most informed and talented individuals grapple with.

Space, often referred to as the final frontier, has always been an abstract concept for me, shaped mainly by the science fiction I've devoured. However, with this novel by James Michener, I was presented with a wealth of tangible details about how humans in the remarkable scientific field of space exploration have evolved over the years.

Starting from World War II, when the focus was on creating rockets to decimate opposing forces and cities, to the Cold War era with a nation's obsession to land a man on the moon, and then to NASA and subsequent scientists grappling with manned and unmanned explorations and the possibility of extraterrestrial life, this book, like all of Michener's works, is a vast and detailed canvas.

Michener uses the lives of politicians, astronauts, and scientists involved in these missions to mirror and perhaps conclude a debate in the book about man as a measure of success and interest. He shows the universal nature of man's self-doubts, his trials, tribulations, joys, sorrows, successes, and failures. Personal battles, both with oneself and others, blend with professional clashes, making the story truly human. Real-life figures like Sagan and Asimov are even given a mention in this work of fiction, and there are some wonderful nods to excellent works in the sci-fi genre.

In addressing Space, Michener also draws attention to other profound aspects such as evolution, religion, and culture, offering amazing perspectives on questions that we all carry within us. It's a wonderful read that re-creates the awe and splendor that the cosmos inspires, and reminds us of the fundamental paradox of human existence - the preciousness within finite time and the meaninglessness within the infinite.