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Rocket Men
- The Daring Odyssey of Apollo 8 and the Astronauts Who Made Man's First Journey to the Moon
- Narrated by: Ray Porter, Robert Kurson
- Length: 12 hrs and 20 mins
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Summary
New York Times best seller
The riveting inside story of three heroic astronauts who took on the challenge of mankind's historic first mission to the moon, from the best-selling author of Shadow Divers.
"Robert Kurson tells the tale of Apollo 8 with novelistic detail and immediacy." (Andy Weir, number one New York Times best-selling author of The Martian and Artemis)
By August 1968, the American space program was in danger of failing in its two most important objectives: to land a man on the moon by President Kennedy's end-of-decade deadline and to triumph over the Soviets in space. With its back against the wall, NASA made an almost unimaginable leap: It would scrap its usual methodical approach and risk everything on a sudden launch, sending the first men in history to the moon - in just four months. And it would all happen at Christmas.
In a year of historic violence and discord - the Tet Offensive, the assassinations of Martin Luther King Jr. and Robert Kennedy, the riots at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago - the Apollo 8 mission would be the boldest, riskiest test of America's greatness under pressure. In this gripping insider account, Robert Kurson puts the focus on the three astronauts and their families: the commander, Frank Borman, a conflicted man on his final mission; idealistic Jim Lovell, who'd dreamed since boyhood of riding a rocket to the moon; and Bill Anders, a young nuclear engineer and hotshot fighter pilot making his first space flight.
Drawn from hundreds of hours of one-on-one interviews with the astronauts, their loved ones, NASA personnel, and myriad experts, and filled with vivid and unforgettable detail, Rocket Men is the definitive account of one of America's finest hours. In this real-life thriller, Kurson reveals the epic dangers involved and the singular bravery it took for mankind to leave Earth for the first time - and arrive at a new world.
"Rocket Men is a riveting introduction to the [Apollo 8] flight.... Kurson details the mission in crisp, suspenseful scenes.... [A] gripping book." (The New York Times Book Review)
Critic reviews
"With Rocket Men, Robert Kurson tells the tale of Apollo 8 with novelistic detail and immediacy, expertly capturing the urgency and suspense behind the mission that gave America the lead in the Space Race." (Andy Weir, number one New York Times best-selling author of The Martian and Artemis)
"Rocket Men is a riveting introduction to the [Apollo 8] flight.... Kurson details the mission in crisp, suspenseful scenes.... [A] gripping book." (The New York Times Book Review)
"Kurson effectively recreates the era, recalling the tumult of a changing nation, as well as the tension felt by those involved both on Earth and in space, of a mission with little margin for error.... Fans of explorers and adventurers will enjoy Kurson's vibrant, accessible history." (Publishers Weekly)
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What listeners say about Rocket Men
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Angus Fitton
- 09-08-18
Best Apollo book I've listened to
You know those audiobooks that, within a few minutes, you just know you'll listen to it more than once? This is one of those. Packed with information, really well researched - it doesn't forget the human side and is accessible.
The tension, the context, the characters - all superbly written and treated with great care. Recommended.
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4 people found this helpful
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- Ian M
- 29-04-18
the greatest moon shot
a remarkable telling of an overlooked mission, comprehensively researched, totally engaging and superbly told, this book should serve as testiment to the bravery and commitment to the people involved in this incredibly dangerous objective. This is the standout reference work to any Apollo mission, take a bow
Robert Kurson
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2 people found this helpful
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- Ruth P
- 23-02-24
Great book
I listed to the audible version. I was gripped from the first chapter. I remember the Apollo 8 mission from my childhood - and the tension of the astronauts going on the dark side of the moon. I had no knowledge of the details of the planning and mission itself - how much it was truly a voyage into the unknown - and at huge risk. A great story from half a century ago that speaks to us today about what can be done - if draw on the best of ourselves, the best expertise and knowledge, and we have the courage to try,
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- Rugby Fanatic
- 20-02-24
Very enjoyable and Informative
I really enjoyed finding about the details behind the Apollo mission and the author did a great job of capturing how the astronauts and their families felt. I will definitely be reading more of his books in the future. As always, Ray Porter put in a stellar performance.
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- Mr. J Holton
- 26-10-23
phenomenal
Spine tingling, hairs on the back of the neck moments. Well told and authentic.
human's greatest achievement. if we all worked together like this team did what on or out of this earth could we achieve.
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- Craigy Gerrard
- 29-01-23
Great narration
I am not American so can't get too excited about the whole saga...don't get me wrong it was an immense achievement and a great story but that's about it...
Ray Porter is joint No. 1 with you know who...
I highly recommend CRASH DIVE...
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- Darrin Bowen
- 27-05-22
Fantastic
Brilliant work, fantastically detailed insight into the most important, daring, risky and amazing mission to the moon.
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- Amazon Customer
- 16-08-21
A story only life can write
For anyone who is interested in the race to the moon. Didn’t know anything about Apollo 8 - then couldn’t stop listening. Great narrator and the story blew my mind more than one time. Totally recommend!
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- Steve
- 13-08-21
brilliantly written and narrated, highly recommend
kept me interested from start to finish, was more like a sci-fi novel it was written and read so well.
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- Skippy the Magnificent
- 16-05-21
Absolutely brilliant
This reads like a very, very well constructed novel. Except, it isn’t. It all actually happened. Incredible.
As many others have said, this is certainly the best Apollo book that I have come across. A criminally under-told story written (and narrated) in a way that makes you feel as though you were there. Could not recommend this highly enough.
An incredible book, about the most spectacular voyage humankind has ever undertaken, performed by the greatest narrator of all time. What more can you ask for?
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