Rocket Boys

Beau Bridges's boyish persona makes him the ideal narrator for Rocket Boys, the supposedly true story of the author's boyhood. A distinguished NASA rocket scientist, Hickam grew up in a mining town where, with his mother's encouragement, he developed a fascination with rockets and organized the "rocket boys" out of a group of misfits. The excellent abridgment is the work of Jesse Boggs, a fine audio producer and singer/songwriter. The tone reminds one of Young Tom Edison and one can easily picture Mickey Rooney and big indoor MGM sets representing a West Virginia coal town. Bridges makes the most out of the well-orchestrated corn and makes it (almost) credible, partly through his personal investment in the tale and partly through the sympathetic magic of his personality. The supposed truth of the events becomes irrelevant as he catches the listener up in a warm, engaging story. Y.R. Winner of AUDIOFILE Earphones Award (c)AudioFile, Portland, Maine


NASA engineer Homer Hickam recalls how building rockets in the wake of the Soviet launching of Sputnik changed his life. Tom Stechschulte reads with a nostalgic tone and a hint of West Virginia accent, delivering the details of life in a coal town in a voice that reflects the author's humor, fondness for the people and events of the story, and youthful na•veté. Stechschulte's voice also excels in the dramatic moments, such as the mine tragedy and Homer's father's illness. Stechschulte even accomplishes the rare task of making the process of learning calculus sound exciting. As Hickam recounts how his rocketry goals fueled a passion for learning and brought his town together, his story has lessons for kids and parents alike. J.A.S. (c) AudioFile 2009, Portland, Maine