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Author
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Topic: Into That Silent Sea (Burgess, French)
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FFrench
Member Posts: 3273
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 10-15-2007 11:00 PM
  
quote:
Originally posted by Colin Burgess:
In this 50th anniversary month of the Space Race, the University of Nebraska Press is generously offering a 25% discount on their range of space exploration books. Full details of these offers can be found here.
Today UNP added another space book to this special offer (same web link as given above) - for "Apollo Moon Missions: The Unsung Heroes" by Billy Watkins, with a foreword by Fred Haise. |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2125
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 10-30-2007 03:37 PM
Just a small reminder that 31 October is the last day of this special book offer. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3273
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 11-01-2007 10:28 PM
For anyone who took advantage of that offer and got the Billy Watkins book, of course it has an extra poignancy this week as it features a chapter on Joan Roosa, who sadly just passed away.I see that this blog has been updated (November 1) with a review of both "Into That Silent Sea" and "In the Shadow of the Moon." |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2125
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 11-09-2007 03:04 PM
Just a heads-up that copies of "Into That Silent Sea" signed by both authors are now newly available online at the Reuben H. Fleet Science Center's online store. The sales help support the Fleet's non-profit space science/astronomy educational mission, including their Challenger Center. |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2125
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 12-10-2007 03:08 PM
For those who might be interested, Kraig McNutt has recently conducted an interview with Francis and me for his space blog site (which is quite an outstanding site and well worth the visit). In this we discuss different aspects of our book "Into That Silent Sea" and how it came about. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3273
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 12-11-2007 01:00 PM
Indeed, I think the intention of the Today In Space History site is to post one question and answer every day with us. The second one is now online, I see. It's a fun site with all kinds of links I enjoyed exploring... |
cspg
Member Posts: 6312
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 12-12-2007 01:13 AM
And both books by Francis and Colin appear in the November 2007 issue of NASA's History Office quarterly newsletter... (no bragging here!). |
TellingHistory
Member Posts: 63
From: Franklin, TN 37027
Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 12-12-2007 09:01 AM
NASA's History Office quarterly newsletter is available in PDF here. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6312
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 12-12-2007 10:08 AM
Or, for a list of available newsletters, you'll need to go here. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3273
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 12-12-2007 05:33 PM
Thanks, Chris, for the heads-up. I knew our first book was in NASA HQ's library, but hadn't seen this one - thanks for the notification. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6312
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 12-13-2007 12:49 AM
You're most welcome! Into That Silent Sea was a great read and I'm looking forward to reading In the Shadow of the Moon. |
TellingHistory
Member Posts: 63
From: Franklin, TN 37027
Registered: Dec 2007
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posted 12-13-2007 10:18 AM
Just a reminder, I've interviewed the authors (French and Burgess) on my web site - Today in Space History - and am posting a series of Q/As on a daily basis. There have been four posts so far and the first one starts here.Their responses to my questions are just as engaging and interesting as the book itself. I'm reading thru the book again and love it even more the second time. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3273
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 12-16-2007 10:18 PM
quote:
Originally posted by cspg:
Into That Silent Sea was a great read and I'm looking forward to reading In the Shadow of the Moon.
Thanks, Chris - I hope you enjoy it too! quote:
Originally posted by TellingHistory:
I'm reading thru the book again and love it even more the second time.
Thank you Kraig - that is also great to hear, that it is good on a second read. After the recent visit of Jim Lewis, the guy who "dropped" Liberty Bell 7 (see the September 25 photos on this thread), it was very nice to receive a visit from the guy who picked it up again - Curt Newport. Curt was kind enough to tell us some great spacecraft recovery stories for the book, and kind enough to sign some copies too for general sale.  |
ASCAN1984
Member Posts: 1050
From: County Down, Nothern Ireland
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 01-12-2008 02:22 PM
Well I am in the middle of Into that Silent Sea and I am a little disappointed. Why? Because it is going to end soon. I can honestly say that without question it is the best book I have very read. Wow. I am totally loving it which is why I am going so slow because I want to savour it and I don't want it to end. My favourite bits so far are the sections about the Cosmonauts. I never really knew much about the early ones and since first reading it I have gained so much more respect for the Russian spaceflight pioneers. Titov sounds like he was quite a character. I cannot wait to start into In the Shadow of the Moon. Well done Francis and Colin. An outstanding job. Please please please come to Northern Ireland so I can tell you face to face. Awsome!!! |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2125
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 01-12-2008 04:52 PM
It would almost be worth a trip to the Emerald Isle just to shake your hand and thank you for such a humbling review of our book. Many thanks.  |
bruce
Member Posts: 927
From: Fort Mill, SC, USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 02-06-2008 07:47 AM
Just saw a nice Into That Silent Sea review on the NASASpaceflight forum. Good job Francis and Colin! |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3273
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 02-07-2008 04:46 PM
Thanks so much, Bruce! Appreciate you sharing it. Nice to see that feedback on the book. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3273
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 03-13-2008 11:35 PM
The International Women in Aviation Conference is taking place in San Diego this week. Wally Funk, who went through the same Lovelace Clinic medical tests given to the Mercury astronaut candidates and whose story is told along with Wally Schirra's in "The Two Wallys" chapter of the book, is there and signed some copies of "Into That Silent Sea" for my co-workers. Wally will be giving a talk on Saturday, at which point she and I will be signing copies of the book for attendees.   |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2125
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 03-14-2008 01:46 AM
Francis, I wish I could be there to countersign the books for you, and to say hi to our old mate Wally again. |
mdmyer
Member Posts: 900
From: Humboldt KS USA
Registered: Dec 2003
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posted 03-17-2008 08:29 AM
Al Worden has added a 5 Star review to the others who love this book. |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2125
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 03-28-2008 05:30 PM
Thanks Mike for pointing out that great Al Worden review of the book, and I see that collectSPACE poster Gareth has also placed a review on Amazon. That was very nice of you as well, Gareth - thank you.We also spotted that UK bookseller Waterstones put the following recommendation online from one of their booksellers, Sarah Skinner: "I have read many books of varying quality on the history of the manned space programme and this is by far the best I have come across. Chapter by chapter a different mission and astronaut/cosmonaut are talked about. There is a fine balance between the science and the history of the mission as well as a wealth of personal information about each pioneering traveller. Equal weight is given to both the Russian and American space programmes and enough detail is given so that you feel like you are really experiencing the missions - problems and all. This book is for anyone interested in the history of spaceflight and no scientific knowledge is required to fully enjoy the history. I just wish that I had been around to see some of these missions as they happened." And lastly, information on buying (at cover price) those copies of the book signed by Wally Funk, Francis, and a limited number by me, using Wally Schirra's Fisher Space Pen, can be found on this thread. |
bruce
Member Posts: 927
From: Fort Mill, SC, USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 03-31-2008 10:37 AM
There's a really thoughtful review of Into That Silent Sea in the December 2007 issue of The Journal of American Cultures magazine. Reviewer Matthew H. Hersch of The University of Pennsylvania points out a key reason why this book succeeds by stating "Rather than recounting the first five years of American and Soviet spaceflight in simple narrative form, the authors let the spacefarers(and would-be spacefarers like female aviator Wally Funk) speak for themselves through ten chronological character studies of figures familiar to spaceflight enthusiasts like first person in space Yuri Gagarin and the enigmatic and larger-than-life Project Mercury astronaut "Gordo" Cooper, who passed away while proofreading the manuscript. With unusual access to their sources, the authors enrich conventional accounts of these characters, walking a delicate line between history and hagiography." Hersch goes on to say "They have indulged their sources and have been rewarded with a wealth of detail, some of it minor, but much of it intriguing to anyone attempting to figure out what was actually floating around in the heads of people floating around in space. (Titov imagined Earth as a grain of sand on a vast cosmic beach; then he barfed.)" Hersch concludes with "Silent Sea may serve as an epitaph for these thoughtful men and women; then again, it may well be that history prefers to remember the first space travelers as a group of daredevils, blissful and simple, for whom no frontier was forbidden." It's nice to see this book given the kudos it deserves. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3273
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 04-01-2008 12:38 AM
Thanks, Bruce, for posting that. That Titov line is certainly a memorable one! The full review was a very interesting read for me, as you can imagine - thanks. |
mdmyer
Member Posts: 900
From: Humboldt KS USA
Registered: Dec 2003
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posted 04-17-2008 05:35 AM
Just kicking this thread up to the top so people will know that Francis is going to have a book signing at the National Air and Space Museum. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3273
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 04-17-2008 01:21 PM
Which I am very excited about - thanks Mike!There is the possibility that a space-related guest might join me... I am working on it... |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3273
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-14-2008 12:13 AM
Two new reviews this week of "Into That Silent Sea," that I thought might interest readers here. The first is by Apollo 7 astronaut Walter Cunningham, and is posted on the book's Amazon page. Feel free to vote on it if you find it helpful, and while there you might also wish to read the posting three reviews down by Apollo 15 astronaut Al Worden.The second review is in the Summer 2008 edition of "Air Power History," a publication of the Air Force Historical Foundation. The review by Rick Sturdevant (Deputy Director of History, HQ Air Force Space Command) begins with: "After hundreds of books about the early years of human spaceflight, why should anyone be interested in one more? Someone who has read this book might have a positive answer. Rarely, in either the historical or biographical genres is a work so exceptional or so substantively and stylistically enticing, that the average person simply cannot put it down before reading it cover to cover. Into That Silent Sea, the first volume in a series titled Outward Odyssey: A People's History of Spaceflight, is that sort of book." That's the kind of review opening that any writer dreams of... !
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alanh_7
Member Posts: 1259
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 08-09-2008 02:26 PM
I have just finished reading the book "Into That Silent Sea: Trailblazers of the Space Era, 1961-1965" by Francis French. I have read a great many books on space flight, but I found this book to be a one of the best. A real page turner and one of the best personal accounts I have read on the subject of manned spaceflight. Well written and extremely interesting I could not put this book down. I am sure many on this web site have read this book, but for those who have not, make sure you add "Into the Silent Sea" to your list of must read books. I look foreword to my next read by the same author "In the Shadow of the Moon |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2125
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 08-10-2008 05:00 AM
I guess Francis must have had my name erased from the cover of the Canadian editions!  |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1259
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 08-10-2008 11:31 AM
The omission of your name is my error. This thread began as a spin off of another topic when Francis was kind enough to answer a question. I took the opportunity to tell him what a great book "Into The Silent Sea" was. The omission of your name is mine alone. In fact Francis thanked me offline and reminded me that the book was co-authored by you. Again the ovesite was mine. The book is a terrific read and allow me to congratulate you on both books "Into the Silent Sea" and "In the Shadow of the Moon" which I just finished this morning. Both were great books. Offline Francis advised me you were in the process of writing "The First Soviet Cosmonaut Team: Their Lives and Legacies" to be released later this year. I look foreword to reading it in the future. I do not think enough has been written about the Soviet program. Again please accept my apologies. |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2125
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 08-10-2008 04:45 PM
Absolutely no offence taken (as indicated by the smilie guy) - in fact quite the opposite. Francis and I have known each other and been friends for a very long time and we continue to be honoured by words of praise for our books from people such as yourself who not only share our passion for space history and exploration, but who take the time to comment - especially so positively - on something that means so much to us.Happy reading, and many thanks for the kind words. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1259
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 08-10-2008 05:28 PM
I realised you were not offended. I just wanted to take a moment and correct my error and also give the credit where it is do. I really enjoyed both books and look foreword to your next book, which I understand will be out before the end of the year. |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3273
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-18-2008 06:40 PM
Thanks so much for your kind words about both books, Alan - much appreciated. |
alanh_7
Member Posts: 1259
From: Ajax, Ontario, Canada
Registered: Apr 2008
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posted 08-20-2008 03:56 PM
You are more than welcome Francis. Please take a look on Amazon for a review I sent. When I get a chance I will send in a review of "In the Shadow of the Moon". Outstanding, congrats again to you and Colin. |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2125
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 08-21-2008 01:37 AM
Alan, thank you so much for becoming part of this incredible journey that Francis and I began about five years ago, and for your kind words of praise for the book at Amazon. I know we both continue to be quite astounded that so many wonderful people have given their time and energy to recognise our efforts in words and reviews, and I can assure you it is sincerely appreciated. To badly paraphrase Jack Nicholson, you make us want to be better writers. |
ASCAN1984
Member Posts: 1050
From: County Down, Nothern Ireland
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 09-07-2008 03:16 PM
I have been trying to find video reviews of this book online in places such as YouTube and I have unfortunately had no luck. Does anyone know where I could see one? |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2125
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 10-07-2008 03:58 PM
I'm delighted to announce that "Into That Silent Sea" will shortly be released in quality paperback format by Bison Books, a subsidiary of the University of Nebraska Press. At our suggestion, this time the book will include an index. No release date is known at this time, nor is it known if other books in the Outward Odyssey series will follow suit. |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2125
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 10-07-2008 04:47 PM
I've just been advised that the paperback version release won't occur until the Fall next year, so keep buying up those hardcover copies for the time being, folks! |
Lou Chinal
Member Posts: 1371
From: Staten Island, NY
Registered: Jun 2007
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posted 10-07-2008 05:42 PM
Glad to hear that it's going paperback! |
cspg
Member Posts: 6312
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 10-07-2008 11:41 PM
quote:
Originally posted by ColinBurgess:
At our suggestion, this time the book will include an index.
And I have been heard. Am I not cool or what? (See March 12, 2007 post). |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3273
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 10-08-2008 12:07 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Colin Burgess:
I'm delighted to announce that "Into That Silent Sea" will shortly be released in quality paperback format by Bison Books
And I have had to explain to Colin that in this country a bison is the animal commonly known as the buffalo... as apparently in Australia "a bison is what ya wash yer 'ands in...crikey!"  |
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