First Man: The Life of Neil A. ArmstrongOn July 20, 1969, the world stood still to watch 38-year-old American astronaut Neil A. Armstrong become the first person ever to step on the surface of another heavenly body. Upon his return to Earth, Armstrong was celebrated for his monumental achievement. He was also--as NASA historian Hansen reveals in this authorized biography--misunderstood. Armstrong's accomplishments as an engineer, a test pilot, and an astronaut have long been a matter of record, but Hansen's access to private documents and unpublished sources and his interviews with more than 125 subjects (including more than fifty hours with Armstrong himself) yield the first in-depth analysis of this elusive, reluctant hero. Hansen recreates Armstrong's flying career, from his combat missions over North Korea to his transatmospheric flights in the rocket-powered X-15 to the first-ever docking in space. For a pilot who cared more about flying to the Moon than he did about walking on it, Hansen asserts, Armstrong's storied vocation exacted a dear personal toll, paid in kind by his wife and children.--From publisher description. |
Contents
The Launch | 1 |
AN AMERICAN GENESIS | 11 |
The Strong of Arm | 13 |
The Strong of Spirit | 20 |
TRANQUILITY BASE | 27 |
First Child | 29 |
The Virtues of Smallville | 36 |
Truth in the Air | 43 |
The Astronauts Wife | 275 |
For All America | 292 |
APOLLO | 301 |
Out of the Ashes | 303 |
Wingless on Luna | 314 |
Amiable Strangers | 335 |
First Out | 360 |
Dialectics of a Moon Mission | 374 |
Aeronautical Engineering 101 | 53 |
WINGS OF GOLD | 65 |
Class 549 | 67 |
Fighter Squadron 51 | 79 |
Fate Is the Hunter | 88 |
The Ordeal of Eagles | 101 |
THE REAL RIGHT STUFF | 115 |
The Research Pilot | 117 |
Above the High Desert | 123 |
At the Edge of Space | 141 |
The Worst Loss | 160 |
Higher Resolve | 168 |
Ive Got a Secret | 199 |
NO MAN IS AN ISLAND | 215 |
Training Days | 217 |
In Line for Command | 230 |
Gemini VIII | 242 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
able According aircraft airplane Aldrin American Apollo 11 Armstrong asked astronauts became boys Buzz called Center close Collins command crew early Earth Edwards engine experience explains fact feet felt first flew flight flying force four Gemini going ground guys happened head Houston Ibid Janet John July June knew landing later launch live look lunar Mike miles minutes mission module months Moon moved NAA to author NASA needed Neil Neil’s never officer operations orbit pilot plane problem question quoted recalls remembers reported rocket Scott Sept simulator space spacecraft stay strong sure surface test pilot thing thought told took turned University vehicle wanted White
Bibliographic information
| Title | First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong |
| Author | James R. Hansen |
| Edition | illustrated |
| Publisher | Simon and Schuster, 2006 |
| ISBN | 0743257510, 9780743257510 |
| Length | 769 pages |
| Subjects | › › › Biography & Autobiography / General Biography & Autobiography / Science & Technology History / Modern / 20th Century / General |
| Export Citation | BiBTeX EndNote RefMan |