Into the Black

May 16, 2016
Aviation historian White (The Big Book of Flight) explores the history of the American space program, leading up to an in-depth recounting of the first flight of Columbia. After opening with a teaser for the shuttle flight, White plunges into the early days of NASA and American space exploration, which may surprise readers looking for the story of Columbia and its astronauts. This flurry of names, dates, anagrams, and careers handily sets the stage, but the sense of these historical figures as people is largely lost until the book focuses on its main subject. The meticulous attention to detail also hampers and interrupts the narrative flow with unnecessarily specific information. However, the account of Columbia's flight is made richer by a greater sense of the fragility and ingenuity of the shuttle and the shuttle program. White's use of records and firsthand accounts from the Columbia program makes the stakes real and immediate, even with knowledge of the outcome. Readers with extensive knowledge of military planes and an interest in the politics of the space program will appreciate White's contextualizing of Columbia's first flight; the story may be slow going for other readers, but it is worth the effort.

February 15, 2016

Prepare to launch into the incredible true story of the space shuttle Columbia, which first took flight in 1981 and last disintegrated in the Earth's atmosphere in 2003. The details of how the spacecraft was conceived, designed, tested, and ultimately sent into space are laid out in mostly chronological order. Aviation expert White (Vulcan 607) tells of those involved: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the U.S. Air Force, and a talented group of men who flew Columbia. He discusses both the positive angles as well as the tragedies and pitfalls of building a vehicle that travels to space. This previously untold story is enlightened by interviews, newly declassified material, and oral histories. Some readers may be put off by the immense number of acronyms and technical jargon, but White includes a glossary of terms along with meticulous diagrams of the shuttle, bases, and a mission profile at the end. Information on Columbia's disastrous final flight is sparse, but the primary purpose of this book is to discuss the shuttle's humble beginnings. VERDICT Fans of White's previous works, NASA history, aeronautics, massive engineering feats, and tales of bravery will find this account highly enjoyable.--Jason L. Steagall, Gateway Technical Coll. Lib., Elkhorn, WI

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