Red Moon Rising cover art

Red Moon Rising

Sputnik and the Hidden Rivals That Ignited the Space Age

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Red Moon Rising

By: Matthew Brzezinski
Narrated by: Charles Stransky
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About this listen

 On October 4, 1957, a time of Cold War paranoia, the Soviet Union secretly launched the Earth's first artificial moon. No bigger than a basketball, the tiny satellite was powered by a car battery. Yet, for all its simplicity, Sputnik stunned the world.

Based on extensive research in the US and newly opened archives in the former USSR, Red Moon Rising tells the story of five extraordinary months in the history of technology and the rivalry between two superpowers. It takes us inside the Kremlin and introduces the Soviet engineer Korolev, the charismatic, politically-minded visionary who motivated Khruschev to support what others dismissed as a ridiculous program. Korolev is virtually unknown to most Americans, yet it is because of him that NASA exists, that college loan programs were started in the U.S., and that Kennedy and Johnson became presidents.

Character driven, suspenseful, and dramatic, Red Moon Rising unveils the politics, people, science, and mindset behind a critical and transformative world event.

©2007 Matthew Brzezinski (P)2007 HighBridge Company 20th Century Aeronautics & Astronautics Americas Astronomy & Space Science History History & Culture Modern Physics Russia Science United States World Soviet Union Technology Military Air Force War Imperialism Cold War

Critic reviews

"The writing is fast-paced and crisp...Yet even more than his absorbing narrative, Brzezinski's final analysis has staying power." ( Publishers Weekly)
All stars
Most relevant
A reportage that reveals a lot of interesting facts from not so old history. Exciting.

Interesting reportage

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What made the experience of listening to Red Moon Rising the most enjoyable?

Although I bought Red Moon Rising with a particular interest in the space race, I actually found the political background more interesting with just the right amount of detail to give an exciting listen.

Any additional comments?

For anyone with an interest in early cold war politics and / or the early space race, there is something here to take away but the combination of both is really well done.

Superb context behind the early space race.

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Fascinating insight to the early days of the space race. Felt like there was scope for greater depth and much left untold - but nevertheless an enjoyable vignette on how the space race began.

Interesting if not groundbreaking

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