The missile and space race /

The 11 chapters in this book cover missile development and the evolution of the US and Soviet space programs from the end of WW II to the end of the lunar landings in the early '70s. Written in an engaging and easy style by a well-read historian, it is a superb, engaging critique of both the stunning successes and the administrative failures in direction and ultimate purpose in the space and missile programs. Levine pulls no punches in his descriptions of the leaders and his critiques of the decisions made in those years. There are interesting and provocative analyses that mince no words. The book ties together the development of the ICBMs and IRBMs, the early efforts to achieve high-altitude/high-velocity manned aircraft, and the race to the moon with all its successes and failures en route. Levine discusses the abortive attempts to develop nuclear propulsion (but largely ignores its application to aircraft). Includes 20 pages of notes (mainly references), a six-page bibliography, and a 13-page index. Highly recommended. All levels. W. E. Howard III; Advanced Concepts and Space, U.S. Army