This is truly a massive achievement.

It might not seem like an overly exciting or grand story at first glance. However, upon closer inspection, it is revealed to be a remarkable and extensive collection of research.

The amount of effort and dedication that went into gathering and analyzing all this data is truly impressive.

Each piece of research likely contributed to a greater understanding of the subject matter, building on the work of others and adding new insights.

This collection serves as a valuable resource, not only for those directly involved in the field but also for anyone interested in learning more.

It showcases the power of research and the importance of perseverance in the pursuit of knowledge.

Overall, while the story may not be one that grabs headlines, the significance of this research collection cannot be underestimated.

I was completely engrossed in this book. So much so that I found myself Googling what was happening as I was reading it. I was truly astounded by how little I knew about the American space program.

As I delved deeper, I discovered that two of the major missions they discussed were fictional. I mean, I'm aware that Michener writes fiction, but a significant portion of the rest of the novel is based on truth. So, I guess I naively thought those missions would be real too.

Anyway, I really wish the book had begun with a disclaimer clearly stating who was fictional and who was "real". That way, I wouldn't have been so confused in the middle.

I have to admit that the Apollo 18 mission was极其紧张. I would sit in my car during my lunch breaks, eagerly waiting to see what would happen next.

I particularly relished the juxtaposition of the religious anti-science movement and the space programs. In the context of our current era, with the "no global warming" stance and general political idiocy, it made for a truly captivating discussion.

I absolutely recommend this book. The time it took me to read it was reflective of having to wait through several library cycles to get the book back. It's another very long one, but well worth the effort.

Because I am a child of the space race, I have always been intrigued by the combination of history and fiction. This particular novel presented a fascinating blend that truly captured my attention. The condensed timeframe, which is quite unique for Michener, and the limited number of characters made the story highly accessible and very readable. It allowed me to easily immerse myself in the narrative and follow the events as they unfolded. The author's ability to weave together historical facts with fictional elements in a seamless manner was truly impressive. I found myself constantly engaged, eager to discover what would happen next. Overall, this novel provided an enjoyable and thought-provoking reading experience that I would highly recommend to others.

This book was on track to receive a five-star rating until the very last page, when it abruptly ended. Seriously, I'm not overstating it. The book was progressing smoothly, and then there was just one paragraph at the conclusion that said something like, "And these people were looking up at the stars like people had been doing since ancient times." I was left thinking, "What?" After investing so much in the characters over the previous 800 pages, it was a real letdown. I was eager to discover what happened next.

James Michener was a writer I shunned like the plague during my punk rock youth. However, one day I randomly picked up "Hawaii" and absolutely loved it. I don't typically enjoy historical fiction, and I had no particular interest in Hawaii, yet I couldn't put the book down. This current book had a somewhat similar experience. Although I have a passion for outer space. He presents a story that spans from the end of World War II to the early 1980s, focusing on the early stages of the American space program. It delves into the people who contributed, those who hindered, the various motives people had for achieving the same goals, the games played with the press, and the division in America along religious and social lines, among other things. The main characters are fictional, but the reader gets the impression that they are likely realistic and representative of the spirit of the times.

This was a book that I started reading one morning, and before I knew it, the sun was setting. Lately, it has been difficult to find a book that can completely captivate me like this. If a writer can take any random topic, present it in the form of a 1000-page historical novel, and still maintain my interest, he must truly be a master.

The book was published approximately 30 years ago.

And of course, now when you read it again, it may seem a bit outdated.

The topic is interesting and the plot is engaging.

Generally speaking, it is a good book for relaxation in the evening, just before going to sleep.

It can take you to another world and let you forget about the troubles and stress of the day.

Although it may not have the latest technological advancements or modern themes, its charm still lies in its ability to tell a good story and evoke emotions.

So, if you are looking for a simple and enjoyable read, this book might be a great choice.

Exceptional.

Here we have a truly daunting tome that exceeds 600 pages. Initially, I had serious concerns. I thought this book would simply sit on my bedside table for months on end, either until I finally managed to finish it or until I gave up in frustration. However, much to my surprise, I finished it.

Within the first 30 minutes of starting to read, I was completely hooked. The development of the central characters was truly amazing. The depth of the interactions between those characters, and the insights we gained into their lives, was once again nothing short of amazing.

This was a fantastic story that offered a unique perspective. It allowed us to look at the US space program from an insider's point of view. It intertwined the social, political, and personal aspects in a seamless and engaging way. It was a captivating read from start to finish.

Although I read this 1982 novel over thirty years ago,

I still remember it as a truly engaging work.

It deals with the very real human personalities of the astronauts who became part of the space program in the United States.

Michener is excellent at amassing relevant technical detail in all of his books.

However, he never allows these details to overshadow his almost unbounded fascination with human motivations.

His characters are the driving force behind his stories.

In particular, I recall one scene from this book.

Two couples travelling together have to separate when the impatient, driven couple realizes they can no longer tolerate the leisurely acceptance of routines by the other couple.

The fact that the former couple becomes part of the space program is Michener's way of exploring the personalities that contributed to the effort to go into space.

Also, he is a great storyteller.

The incident of the solar flare affecting the capsule travelling from the Earth to the Moon was truly a thrilling and page-turning experience.

Highly recommended.

An epic for sure. Over the months it took me to read this, my attitude towards Michener's works changed significantly. At first, I didn't want to read another Michener book. But as I delved deeper into this one, I found myself gradually becoming willing to read another, albeit in a while. He is truly a master at telling great stories. Although most of the characters seem to share the same mindset and speaking pattern, it doesn't overshadow the fact that the level of detail, care, and "completeness" he brings to his storytelling is superb. It was a great read indeed. Now, I'm eager to read "The Right Stuff" to gain a better understanding of how things really happened.

Also, it's worth noting that "Space" was published in 1982. Many of the arguments Michener presents in this book have been relevant within my lifetime, starting from 1983 and continuing even today in 2022. Obviously, Mr. Michener was ahead of his time. I truly wish I could have had the opportunity to talk with him. Perhaps, after all, I'll read one of his novels sooner rather than later, as reading his work is the closest I'll ever get to an in-person visit with him.

I've had this book sitting on my shelf for what seems like ages.

Knowing that Michener's books are typically readable, I had high expectations of really enjoying it.

And indeed, it is easy to read, and the characters are well-developed.

However, my disappointment is rather childish, I must admit.

The question that keeps bothering me is: what's real and what is not?

Michener tells such a good story that I became really interested in learning more about the Pacific navy battles and the survivors in that arena.

But soon enough, I realized that I couldn't find Michener's characters in real life.

It's quite pathetic that I forgot for a moment that they weren't real, but that's the way it is!

Overall, it's a good, easy read with a nice mix of fact and fiction.

It makes you think about the events and the people, even if some of them are just products of the author's imagination.

Maybe that's the charm of Michener's writing - it blurs the line between reality and fiction in a way that keeps you engaged from start to finish.

The painstaking research that characterizes Michener's epic historical fiction is once again abundantly evident here. Inevitably, comparisons in the genre are made with Tom Wolfe's "The Right Stuff." For those of us of an age like myself (at the worst time draftable) who remember the "Space Race" culture of the 1960s and the American obsession with beating the Russians while losing the infamous, protracted conflict against North Vietnam (aided by the U.S.S.R.), a manned landing on the Moon was one of the few promising distractions we fixated on amidst the chaos of a fragmented and polarized new world order.

Unlike Wolfe's highly lauded filmic rock star treatment of Yeager and the Mercury Seven test pilots, "Space" has a well-informed regard for the rocketeering back-story of Werner von Braun and his team. Their key role was developing the Nazi's V-2 weaponry. Despite the immoral implications of their work, including the inhumane treatment of slave labor, they were sought after by both the Russians and Americans as the highest-value brain trust. At the collapse of the Third Reich, they were captured and redeployed in the parallel agendas to militarize space.
The manned landing on the Moon, though a great accomplishment, was ultimately for propagandistic purposes. President Eisenhour called for the space program to be run by a civilian agency, leading to the creation of NASA. However, NASA's success was short-lived, and it was nearly shut down until the space shuttle program. Michener's book could have ended here, but it continues in a slower-paced fashion, delving into the lives of various characters and their involvements in different aspects of the space program.
Overall, while the book may have its flaws, it is still a worthy read, especially for those interested in the early days of the Space Race. Another excellent historical autobiographic novel that blurs the line between fiction and nonfiction and is related to this topic is Michael Chabon's "Moonglow."

It provides an interesting perspective on the pursuit of Nazi rocketeering scientists and the development of the Russian and American space programs.

After more than 200 pages, I'm giving up.

There are just too many interesting-looking books on my shelves.

Each one seems to be calling out to me, promising unique stories and new knowledge.

I can't help but feel a sense of excitement as I look at them, imagining the adventures and insights that await within their pages.

However, I know that I can't read them all at once.

So, I've decided to set aside the current book and explore some of the others.

Maybe I'll find a new favorite, or discover a hidden gem that I would have otherwise missed.

Either way, I'm looking forward to the journey of exploration and discovery that lies ahead.

Space was, overall, an extremely strong and highly noteworthy piece of literature.

Michener skillfully ties in the stories of the characters with remarkable precision and grace. It is abundantly clear that he undertakes extensive research on the subject matter and the time period long before he even picks up the pen.

Moreover, he does not overlook the importance of painting a vivid and detailed picture of the time period and the diverse types of characters he has conceived. These characters are all fully fleshed out and they all experience an interesting arc. I can truly appreciate his vision of what he desired to achieve with the characters.

Space feels more like a character study that incorporates some elements of science fiction. However, it must be noted that this book is definitely not suited for everyone. Michener has a tendency to spare no expense in describing every last detail of a scene, which can sometimes become very tedious and boring.

People who are not fans of this particular writing style or of science fiction in general may have a difficult time getting through this book. Nevertheless, by the time you reach the end of the book, there is a great deal to take away and it is easy to be appreciated for its depth and complexity.