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Author
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Topic: Upcoming Book on Columbia Tragedy
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ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 08-20-2005 08:51 PM
   
I've just found out that a new and detailed book on the last flight of Columbia and her crew will be published by Springer Books in November. It's called "Hail Columbia: The Last Voyage of NASA's First Space Shuttle" by spaceflight journalist Philip Chien. There were a couple of books dashed off soon after the disaster, but hopefully this one will present a balanced and thoroughly researched narrative. I don't know Philip at all, but it's a book I'll look forward to reading, if the early reviews are promising.Colin |
D-Day
Member Posts: 27
From:
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 08-22-2005 12:25 PM
Chien is a character. You might ask around a bit... |
KSCartist
Member Posts: 2896
From: Titusville, FL USA
Registered: Feb 2005
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posted 08-22-2005 05:31 PM
Colin-Phil is a character but does do his homework. While Bill Harwood and Mike Cabbage wrote their book last year, it was well done. I hope Phil helps fill in details just like each of the Apollo astronauts books helps tell the entire story of the lunar landing program. Tim |
D-Day
Member Posts: 27
From:
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 08-24-2005 09:27 AM
Like I said, "character." You might ask around. Context is useful. |
albatron@aol.com
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 08-24-2005 10:56 AM
While I cannot comment on Chiens book, I would highly recommend Cabbage's and Harwoods book: "Comm Check". By far heads and shoulders above others. Plus theyre both seriously nice guys and much more in tune with space happenings than other reporters. Including an "icon" of today. Al |
D-Day
Member Posts: 27
From:
Registered: Aug 2005
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posted 08-24-2005 11:01 AM
Yeah, I would second the recommendation for "Comm Check." I have not read the entire thing, but the parts on the CAIB investigation are accurate. At one point Admiral Gehman mentions how some of the board members and staff were at a bar and started discussing "CAIB, The Motion Picture," the epic story of the massive investigation. They started listing who would play what roles and writing down names of actors on a scrap of paper. I still have that piece of paper... |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 42981
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-24-2005 11:09 AM
Though I would second Dwayne's "character" warning (speaking as someone who once hired Chien), it should be noted that his book is not focused on the accident, so a comparison between "Comm Check" and "Hail Columbia" might be a disservice to both. I read "Comm Check" and can second (third?) the endorsement; I haven't read "Hail Columbia" and unless glowing reviews inspire a change of heart or a copy falls in my lap, probably won't get around to doing so any time soon.Chien's book, at least according to his own website, centers on the crew and the mission of STS-107 before the accident - including a detailed look at every science experiment on-board. |
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