| Edition |
First edition. |
| Description |
xiii, 587 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations ; 25 cm |
| Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages [549]-562) and index. |
| Contents |
Preface and acknowledgments -- A note on the name and on terms -- Prologue : A romantic urge -- ch. 1. The wheel of progress (to 1925) -- ch. 2. Sonny bot (1925-32) -- ch. 3. The black sedan (1932-34) -- ch. 4. How much do you want? (1935-37) -- ch. 5. His indisputable genius (1937-39) -- ch. 6. Future dreams (1939-42) -- ch. 7. A pretty hellish environment (1942-44) -- ch. 8. A young man, of very Germanic appearance (1944-45) -- ch. 9. Morning in the desert (1945-46) -- ch. 10. Mars project (1946-49) -- ch. 11. Space superiority (1950-54) -- ch. 12. We could do it! (1954-57) -- ch. 13. The seer of space (1957-58) -- ch. 14. I aim at the stars (1958-60) -- ch. 15. Before this decade is out (1960-63) -- ch. 16. You're an optimist, but then, so am I (1963-67) -- ch. 17. A pretty emotional moment (1967-69) -- ch. 18. For him, a world was falling apart (1969-72) -- ch. 19. The heavens declare the Glory of God (1972-77) -- Epilogue : A Faustian shadow -- Notes -- Significant abbrevations used in the notes -- Bibliography and archival sources -- Index. |
| Summary |
The first authoritative biography of Wernher von Braun, chief rocket engineer of the Third Reich?creator of the infamous V-2 rocket?who became one of the fathers of the U.S. space program. In this meticulously researched and vividly written life, Michael J. Neufeld gives us a man of profound moral complexities, glorified as a visionary and vilified as a war criminal, a man whose brilliance and charisma were coupled with an enormous and, some would say, blinding ambition. |
| Subject |
Von Braun, Wernher, 1912-1977.
|
|
Rocketry -- United States -- Biography.
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Rocketry -- Germany -- Biography.
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Astronautics -- United States -- Biography.
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Rockets (Ordnance) -- Research -- Germany -- History -- 20th century.
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| ISBN |
9780307262929 |
|
0307262928 |
|
