Product Description

It was a time of bold new technology, historic moments, and international jousting on the final frontier. But it was also a time of human drama, of moments less public but no less dramatic in the lives of those who made the golden age of space flight happen. These are the moments and the lives that Into That Silent Sea captures, a book that tells the intimate stories of the men and women, American and Russian, who made the space race their own and gave the era its compelling character. These pages chronicle a varied and riveting cavalcade of human stories, including a look at Yuri Gagarin's harrowing childhood in war-ravaged Russia and Alan Shepard's firm purchase on the American dream. It also examines the controversial career of cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, and the remarkable struggle and ultimate disappointment of her American counterparts. It tries to uncover the truth behind the allegations that shadowed Gus Grissom and Scott Carpenter and then allows the reader to share the heart-stopping suspense of Alexei Leonov's near-fatal first space walk. Through dozens of interviews and access to Russian and American official documents and family records, the authors bring to life the experiences that shaped the lives of the first astronauts and cosmonauts and forever changed their world and ours.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #113363 in Books
• Published on: 2007-06-11
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 402 pages

Review
"This frank, entertaining, no-holds-barred ride through the golden age of space flight takes us behind the official stories, into the real lives of the very first astronauts and cosmonauts." Wally Schirra: Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo astronaut "Unforgettable days and some unforgettable characters were brought vividly back to me by this truly wonderful book. They were fun times; they were also incredibly difficult, hard-working, and agonizing times, watching dear friends launch into space with my heart in my mouth. This book offers a treasure trove of memories." Dee O'Hara, nurse to the astronauts "As well as vividly picturing the men, this book also accurately tells the story of the very first women to train for spaceflight in Russia--and women like me in America who hoped for the same opportunity to reach for the stars." Wally Funk, rocket pilot for Interorbital Systems Corporation "[An] eminently readable, well-crafted contribution to the burgeoning genre of first-person accounts and popular histories of space explorers... The merits of this popular history rest in the elegant narrative and the authors' thoughtful awareness of the space explorer genre." Air & Space Smithsonian "Francis French and Colin Burgess don't have any special hooks or other gimmicks in Into That Silent Sea; instead, they simply offer a well-written account about the Americans and Russians who were the first to fly into space... The book ... offer[s] some excellent profiles of these individuals that are accessible to both newcomers to space history and well-read enthusiasts alike." The Space Review "French and Burgess's history will engage the space-program audience." Booklist "A well-written account about the Americans and Russians who were the first to fly into space... [The book] offers some excellent profiles of these individuals that are accessible to both newcomers to space history and well-read enthusiasts alike." Space Review "For space fans, this is a good read." CHOICE "Into That Silent Sea is an excellent reminder of just what Gagarin and other trailblazers did and how they became international celebrities in their own right. We seem to have forgotten just how new the frontier of space was... Many people today seem to view space programs as an extravagance or with disinterest. For those who remain interested in those programs and have read the prior histories and memoirs, it never hurts to be reminded of just how pioneering the first steps were." Tim Gebhart, Blogcritics.org, Boston.com "I enjoyed every page of this nearly 400-page tome. I was disappointed to finish it simply because I wanted to read more... If you're new to this field of reading I'd highly recommend starting with this book. The background on the spacefarers is very interesting." Today in Space History Blog "The straightforward yet engrossing writing style of this history will interest readers from the junior-high level to adults... What is especially compelling about this race into space story is the humanistic narrative, describing the individual cosmonauts and astronauts... For younger readers, the description emphasizes the characteristics of determination, scholarship, loyalty, comraderie, dedication, and fitness--traits that are essential for astronaut applicants." Rita Hoots, Journal of College Science Teaching

Customer Reviews

Into That Silent Sea
For many years now I have made presentations on NASA history as well as all of the human space programs. I have focused mainly on Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo. Into That Silent Sea is clearly one of the most well written and authoritative books on the subject that I have ever read. Through exhaustive research and personal contact with the pioneers of space exploration Francis French and Colin Burgess have compiled a treasure. Full of anecdotes, and including much little known information it gives a fascinating insight into what the early days were like for both our astronauts and for the Soviet cosmonauts. Many others who lived this history contribute their perspective as well. I highly recommend this work to all who are interested in the human experience. The book is easy to read, captivating, and one of the most fascinating books that I have found.

Capt. William (Mike) Lucas
US Airways
Space Historian

Fascinating stories about those who flew into that "silent sea" of space!
A fantastic job, not only in bringing to the fore many otherwise never to be enjoyed stories, but also managing to maintain a keen, intrinsic sense of "wonderment" about the human experience in space. I haven't seen an example of writing like this since Andy Chaikin's "A Man On The Moon" book. I especially enjoyed the present-day comments shared by those who were there when those historical events happened. The cosmonaut chapters were beautifully done as well! This book is just a joy to read!

A terrific read set in "a time when the world was breathlessly anticipating each new space spectacular".
"Into That Silent Sea" is an enthralling account of the early years of space exploration (1961-1965). In page-turning fashion the authors chronicle the lives and times of the pioneering men and women of the US/Soviet "space race". Lovingly researched and highly readable, "Into That Silent Sea" marvelously evokes this unique era. Peppered with interviews and insights from many of the space travelers themselves and colorful (but lesser known) characters such as Dee O'Hara (astronauts nurse) and Jim Lewis (Liberty Bell 7 recovery pilot), the authors provide exciting, new (and occasionally controversial) information a-plenty for space enthusiasts and casual readers alike. While many of us likely recall an icon or two from those early days- Gagarin, Glenn, Tereshkova - how much do we really know about their personal lives, their accomplishments, or their equally remarkable contemporaries? Who were they, what motivated them? "Into That Silent Sea" tells their human stories and illuminates a magnificent tapestry of historic times and outstanding achievements. Highly recommended.