posted 12-20-2021 01:22 PM               

If you liked "I Was a Teenage Space Reporter" by David Chudwin, you will like reading this prequel of how our friendship started and what brought us to this event: From the moment I suggested that we travel to the Cape to view a Saturn V launch, and through the various scenarios I suggested to gain better access to view the event.

It's a significantly different book and together would make for a great movie. Read about how the history of manned space flight and the Apollo 11 moon landing was viewed by an 18 year old NASA accredited space reporter. Together, we were the only 18 year olds granted full access and accreditation for the Apollo 11 launch, by NASA. As such we had a unique perspective to view and report on the historic launch of Apollo 11.

It's a historical memoir about growing up on the south side of Chicago (attending Bowen High School) with an interest in both aviation and ultimately manned spaceflight. Apollo Memories provides a detailed history of aviation and space flight accomplishments by both the US and Soviet programs, as well as the aviation records being set out at Edwards Air Force Base. It also provides some information on the development and eventual shutdown of the DynaSoar and MOL programs; as well as the successful flights and records set by the X-15. It notes how my first exposures to the Nike antiaircraft missiles based around Chicago and my first experience watching a 1961 performance of the Air Force Thunderbirds at the Grossinger Airport in the NY Catskills influenced my future choices and interests.

Growing up in Chicago, as a teenager during the turbulent 60's, was not all fun and games. The country was "a changin" and many took on an alternative viewpoint of our race towards the moon. Still my interest persisted and culminated with a trip to Cape Kennedy to witness the launch of the Apollo 11. I was 18 years old, and together we were the first and only college students to receive full NASA Press accreditation. This gave us unprecedented access to the VAB, press conferences, the astronaut walkout and viewing the launch from the VIP site. Together we witnessed history and 50 years later it was time to write our respective books.

"Apollo Memories" was nominated for the Space Hipster prize among the best history of space flight books published in 2019.

It's available through Amazon.com and Kindle eBooks, where it has a universal 5* review rating. Also, its available through Barnes and Noble by request at all stores, and online at BN.com. I've been informed it's found in the biography section of their Deerfield store.