The Penguin Book of Outer Space Exploration

September 1, 2018

Logsdon has studied space exploration since his doctoral dissertation in the late 1960s. As founder of the Space Policy Institute, he edited the seven-volume work on the history of the U.S. Civil Space Program, on which this new volume is based in part; it also expands on 2015's After Apollo? Richard Nixon and the American Space Program. The author clearly knows and is inspired by his material, and his enthusiasm comes through here. However, there are limitations in a condensed volume, such as how some points are not precisely accurate when summarized; for example, the Jet Propulsion Lab did not specifically replace Caltech's GALCIT operation. Nevertheless, the reprinting of key documents, including astronaut John Glenn's "Brief Summary of MA-6 Orbital Flight" makes for a fascinating read. The author suggests this book be read, not referred to for reference; however, it could function as a basic reference in undergraduate or public library collections. VERDICT An absorbing read for space exploration enthusiasts, from high schoolers to adults.--Sara R. Tompson, Jet Propulsion Laboratory Lib., Pasadena, CA

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