One Giant Leap

“Thousands of people had to accomplish herculean and seemingly impossible tasks in order to get us to the moon-and it’s been 50 years since Neil Armstrong took that one small step. Fishman explains in dazzling form just how unbelievable it actually was.” -Newsweek “In Fishman’s One Giant Leap, the veteran space journalist ably explains the challenges facing NASA engineers as they sought to overtake their accomplished Soviet counterparts… .Most comprehensive.” -The San Francisco Chronicle “For a one-stop overview of how Apollo unfolded, One Giant Leap by journalist Charles Fishman wins.” -Nature “Expansive and engaging.” -Financial Times “This is the most comprehensive and detailed account of the Apollo 11 mission. Fishman investigates the myriad scientists and engineers behind the project, details the challenges of the untried computer systems and especially documents the dramatic race in time to meet President Kennedy’s mandate.” -Columbus Dispatch “The best Apollo anniversary treatment I’ve seen so far… In One Giant Leap, Charles Fishman has not only provided a vivid account of the historic Apollo 11 mission. He has also thought hard and written cogently about the character of Project Apollo, and especially about both John Kennedy’s continued commitment to a Moon landing ‘before this decade is out’ and the broad impacts of Apollo on American society. While I don’t agree totally with his conclusions, it is refreshing to see him go beyond the usual platitudes to careful analysis and reasoned judgments. This is a book worth careful reading.” -John M. Logsdon, author of John F. Kennedy and the Race to the Moon “A work that will reward readers with new angles on a familiar story.” -Booklist “Astronauts take a back seat to politicians, project managers, engineers, and the marvelous machines they created in this engrossing history of the moon landings… . Fishman’s knack for explaining science and engineering and his infectious enthusiasm for Apollo’s can-do wizardry make for a fascinating portrait of a technological heroic age.” -Publishers Weekly “A fresh, enthusiastic history of the moon mission … Rather than focus on the astronauts, journalist Fishman offers lively profiles of many tireless, imaginative, and innovative scientists, engineers, and technicians who contributed to the Apollo mission.” -Kirkus Reviews “With the upcoming 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing, this compelling read is highly recommended… . [Fishman] skillfully tells the remarkable story of the event … [and] provides fasicinating details about the mission.” -Library Journal, starred review “Mr. Fishman is a veteran space reporter with a vibrant touch-nearly every sentence has a fact, an insight, a colorful quote or part of a piquant anecdote. What’s more, he has pondered the meaning of the moon landing and arrived at a surprising and persuasive answer… . Mr. Fishman is a connoisseur of fascinating detail, as well.” -The Wall Street Journal “In his meticulously researched and absorbingly written book, journalist Charles Fishman provides both a celebration of the Apollo 11 mission and a corrective to some of the myths that have crystallized around it.” -The Washington Post

Charles Fishman is the acclaimed author of One Giant Leap, A Curious Mind (with Brian Grazer), The Wal-Mart Effect, and The Big Thirst. He is a three-time winner of the Gerald Loeb Award, the most prestigious prize in business journalism.