posted 12-25-2003 11:50 PM            

Rather than trying to build himself up to be an historical figure, he pulls no punches with an account of a difficult, scrappy early life where he had to learn to survive his family, then work out how to leave and make something of himself. He tells this compelling story so well that I would have read it even if he had not gone on to join NASA - something I also felt when reading Scott Carpenter's account of his difficult upbringing in his recent memoir.

When Liebergot moves on to his years at NASA, we get a refreshingly different account of how things worked there. Most other books on this era have been written by those in the upper echelons of management, but Liebergot here shows us what it was like for the foot soldier in the trenches, with a few little accounts of tempers lost in mission control and other disagreements that the official histories try and gloss over. Rather than do this as a tell-all, Liebergot includes his own failings in the mix - he doesn't hide the fact that he is now on his third marriage, nor the reasons.

posted 12-26-2003 02:15 PM               

But wait till you get to listening to the CD - the audio loop tapes from Apollo 13 are fascinating to listen to and well worth the price of the book on it's own!

posted 04-14-2004 02:16 PM               

BUFFALO SNORT CHILI

Dump #1
3 lbs Mock Tender or lean Rump Roast
1 can Ro-Tel Tomatoes (crushed) 10 oz.
1 can Beef Bouillon 10 oz.
1 med. Yellow Onion (diced fine)

Dump #2
2 clvs Garlic (minced)
2 Jalapeno Peppers (pickled, mild)
1 tsp Oregano
2 Tbl Cumin
2 Tbl Chili Powder
2 Tbl Paprika
1.5 tsp MSG
1/2 tsp White Pepper
1 tsp Brown Sugar
1/2 can Lone Star Beer

Dump #3 (last 30 minutes)
1 Tbl Paprika
1 tsp Cumin
1 tsp Chili Powder
1 tsp Brown Sugar
1/2 tsp Texas No-Doze
1 tsp Salt (to taste)
Water (As Req'd)

PAM

Dump #1

1. Cut meat into 1/2-inch cubes, then "grey" using PAM. Add to 4-Qt pot.
   
2. Lightly sauté the onions (I minute). Add to pot.
   
3. Add the Ro-Tel and Beef Bouillon to the pot and simmer for 30 minutes.

Dump #2

1. Add these ingredients; simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours.
   
2. Check meat for tenderness.
   
3. Add water as required.

Dump #3

1. Final 30 minutes: Add these ingredients for final flavor "bump."
   
2. Skim off any oil.
   
3. Total cooking time: 2.5 - 3 hours

posted 10-17-2004 06:28 PM               

Anyway, I certainly agree with the above posts, and others I'm sure I've seen in more recent strings that I wasn't able to easily find and add to. We're lucky to have a man of Sy's accomplishments contributing to our board, and it was interesting and inspiring to read his account. The book certainly brings the program to a very personal level. I also agree that "Flight", "Failure Is Not An Option", then "Apollo EECOM" is the best order in which to read these accounts. Although in my case this happened by accident, it was a fortunate accident.