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Author
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Topic: Ambassadors from Earth (Jay Gallentine)
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Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 06-03-2009 11:20 AM
   
Thanks for the update Jay! We're looking forward to hold the finished product.  |
DChudwin
Member Posts: 1096
From: Lincolnshire IL USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 06-06-2009 04:49 PM
The book is up on Amazon , with a picture of the cover jacket! It is available for pre-order now, with a discounted price of $23.07. |
Jay Gallentine
Member Posts: 287
From: Shorewood, MN, USA
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 06-17-2009 09:39 PM
Today I finished reviewing the page proofs, then sent everything back to the publisher.It's surely been a busy three weeks, but I was beyond excited to see the nearly finished book laid out as it will appear in print. After finishing, I sheathed my red pen with the thought that this is probably the last time I'll touch the thing. If this project has done anything, it's instilled in me a very great feeling of respect for those who do the work of unmanned space exploration. What a fascinating bunch of people. I hope you will enjoy getting to know them as much as I did. I am now planning a party. A big party. |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1634
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 06-18-2009 08:08 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Jay Gallentine:
If this project has done anything, it's instilled in me a very great feeling of respect for those who do the work of unmanned space exploration. What a fascinating bunch of people. I hope you will enjoy getting to know them as much as I did.
Jay, what an excellent point. We all get excited about human exploration, with good reason, but there is much to be learned about the people behind the unmanned satellites. I can't wait to read your book!
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Jay Gallentine
Member Posts: 287
From: Shorewood, MN, USA
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 07-20-2009 08:19 PM
Happy to report that the index has been received, reviewed, and is now back in the hands of the publisher. With that, I've been informed that I have completed my editorial duties. Gosh.Hope all are well on this anniversary of one small step. |
Jay Gallentine
Member Posts: 287
From: Shorewood, MN, USA
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 08-14-2009 03:56 PM
I just noticed that the University of Nebraska Press has posted a PDF excerpt from the book. You can follow the link to read the Table of Contents plus the entire first chapter!At the mentioned web page, click the link called "Read an Excerpt (pdf)". |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2031
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 08-14-2009 09:46 PM
And believe me, the rest of the book is just as terrific. Having been through the drafts, I can't wait to read Jay's masterpiece again, but this time in its final manifestation. |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 08-15-2009 04:52 AM
Together with Paolo Ulivi's series on "The Robotic Exploration of the Solar System", certainly a book we've been waiting for since "Far Travellers - The Exploring Machines" came out in 1985... |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3118
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-15-2009 09:36 AM
One of the most fascinating and enjoyable books about planetary exploration was Bruce Murray's "Journey Into Space" which provided a great deal of "behind the scenes" information about JPL's missions to the Moon, Mars, Venus, Mercury, Jupiter, Saturn and Uranus. But there was a sense of melancholy and loss at the end of the book because Dr Murray finished it 2 years after Challenger when the space programme was still recovering, and at that time it had been a full 10 years since NASA had launched any planetary probes. I look forward to reading Jay's take on the earlier "golden age" and the later renaissance of planetary exploration.Jay - did you get to interview Dr. Murray for your book? |
Jay Gallentine
Member Posts: 287
From: Shorewood, MN, USA
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 08-15-2009 03:20 PM
Thanks for your comments.I agree that Bruce Murray has written some great material! He's a fascinating personality. Unfortunately no, I was not able to interview him for the book. Dr. Murray seems to be enjoying his retirement. A longtime JPL associate of his even contacted Dr. Murray on my behalf, asking him to be involved, and Dr. Murray politely declined. That said, there isn't any shortage whatsoever of behind-the-scenes-at-JPL stuff in "Ambassadors". Hope you'll agree! |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 08-18-2009 02:55 AM
Approximate release date seems to be November 1, 2009. |
Jay Gallentine
Member Posts: 287
From: Shorewood, MN, USA
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 08-18-2009 09:47 PM
What I've been told is that the press run is currently underway, and shipments are due to be received in supply warehouses some time in September. November 1 is truly "approximate". This fall is basically one huge delivery window that has me holding my breath.In other news, I was pleased to see that today on Amazon USA, the book broke into 122,000th place, where it usually hovers around 1,200,000th place. It was #97 in the category which included space history. I'll take it! |
Jay Gallentine
Member Posts: 287
From: Shorewood, MN, USA
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 08-18-2009 09:56 PM
Holy Cow, folks - I just noticed that Amazon has expanded their web page for "Ambassadors", to include the Table of Contents, First Chapter, and what looks to be the complete index.I am positively gobsmacked. This stuff will give you a great taste of what-all's there! |
dss65
Member Posts: 1156
From: Sandpoint, ID, USA
Registered: Mar 2003
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posted 08-20-2009 10:17 PM
"Gobsmacked?" Jeez, Jay, I'm a displaced Midwesterner (and proud to be one), but that's a new one to me!I'm REALLY looking forward to your book. I have a hunch I'll be gobsmacked. |
spacehiker
Member Posts: 386
From: London, UK
Registered: Aug 2009
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posted 08-21-2009 04:37 AM
Jay, sounds a fascinating read and I'll definitely be in line to buy a copy. Can you confirm whether you are doing any signings and if so who are the possible retailers for signed copies? |
Jay Gallentine
Member Posts: 287
From: Shorewood, MN, USA
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 08-21-2009 09:51 PM
Thanks so much for your post and your interest in the book. It validates five years of effort.I have been working on a roster of events, and London is not out of the question! Also, the publisher has a UK distributor and it's just a matter of some coordination to get signed copies over to the UK and in to book stores. Either way - if you would like a signed copy, I will come up with a way to get you one. It's a complete honor to be asked! I will try to keep the cS folks updated on the goings-on. To be sure, this is an exciting time for the project! |
astroborg
Member Posts: 200
From: Woodbridge, VA, USA
Registered: Nov 2000
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posted 09-03-2009 02:12 PM
I just got this email yesterday: Now available from the University of Nebraska Press: Ambassadors from Earth: Pioneering Explorations with Unmanned Spacecraft by Jay Gallentine |
Jay Gallentine
Member Posts: 287
From: Shorewood, MN, USA
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 09-03-2009 03:39 PM
I've just confirmed that the book has been received in the publisher's warehouse and that orders are starting to be flagged for shipment.Thanks, astroborg, for checking in! And many thanks to all who have supported this project. |
Jay Gallentine
Member Posts: 287
From: Shorewood, MN, USA
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 09-04-2009 09:25 PM
The caller ID said "Wife". I answered my phone."Guess what's here?!" began the incredibly attractive voice. I was in the middle of solving a customer's itchy computer problem, tied up in knots with that and twenty minutes by car from an unbelievably anticipated package. "Any chance you can run it over?" I asked. "No problem," she said. It'd cost me points, but that's what points are for. Not long after, our silky blue Honda Odyssey minivan rolled up the alleyway behind my building. That's not a replica mind you; it's a REAL Honda Odyssey. A window slid down. A package emerged: six inches by nine, wrapped in brown paper. Perfectly incognito. "Thanks!" I told her. "I'll let you know how it goes!" After returning inside, I began collecting fellow employees. “You guys got a second?” I asked everyone, walking from room to room. It’s not a big company and sixty seconds later half a dozen people were ringing our kitchen counter. “Can we make this quick?” my boss wanted to know. “Okay sure,” I told him, “but please understand. I have been keeping a secret, for five years. And today? I get to tell you what it is.” That got his attention. “I know that visuals speak louder than words,” I continued, “so I’ll stop talking and let the visuals do that.” The package was offered to my boss. He unwrapped it, stared at the thing for a moment, and then said, “Holy crap!” Everyone leaned over to peek, and said the same thing at pretty much the same time: “You wrote a book?!” It’s he-e-re! |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 09-04-2009 11:37 PM
Nice story, Jay.  And congratulations! I'm looking forward to reading your book. |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1634
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 09-05-2009 03:49 AM
Jay, the enthusiam you've shown on this post will definitely increase the reading pleasure of your book! Very much looking forward to another great installment to the Outward Odyssey series! |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 09-05-2009 04:39 AM
Congratulations Jay on a job very well done! |
Jay Chladek
Member Posts: 2272
From: Bellevue, NE, USA
Registered: Aug 2007
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posted 09-06-2009 02:40 AM
Well, I shall have to get you to autograph a copy for me if you come back to Omaha again this December.Congratulations man. I hope you enjoy the fruits of your labors! |
BMacKinnon
Member Posts: 230
From: Waterford, MI. USA
Registered: Jul 2007
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posted 09-06-2009 09:13 AM
Jay, I just ordered my copy from UofN Press. I can't wait to read it! This is an awesome book series and every one so far has been an interesting and informative read. Now I just need to know how I can get my copy signed by you! |
Jay Gallentine
Member Posts: 287
From: Shorewood, MN, USA
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 09-07-2009 07:52 PM
Well everybody, I can't tell you how utterly touched I am by all these kind comments. Sure hope you're still kind after reading the thing! quote:
Originally posted by BMacKinnon:
Now I just need to know how I can get my copy signed by you!
Feel free to e-mail me and I'm happy to make arrangements for a signed copy. What an honor to be asked!And Jay, I'll drop you a line separately regarding the holiday plans. |
TrueNorth
Member Posts: 161
From: Bathurst, NB, Canada
Registered: Jun 2003
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posted 09-08-2009 05:53 AM
Congrats from your friends in eastern Canada! Way to go! We still remember the 2004 JPL tour when it was obvious "something was up".Looking forward to reading your book. Any plans for an appearance at the Cosmosphere? Looking for an excuse to get down to Kansas. What a tremendously satisfying accomplishment this must be! |
Jay Gallentine
Member Posts: 287
From: Shorewood, MN, USA
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 09-09-2009 10:27 PM
Hello John and Mark, great to hear from you!What TrueNorth refers to is the 2004 Sims/Hankow show, which took place about a week after I'd submitted my proposal for what became "Ambassadors". Nolan and Steve were kind enough to arrange a JPL tour, and I faced a tricky issue: I wanted to make a few contacts out there, but the book wasn't a done deal - it was only a proposal, and one of several for the unmanned probes volume. So I tried to sort of catch the JPL tour guides in an alone moment and say, "I might be doing this book, and I'd love to speak with some JPL people about it." John and Mark were on the tour, and apparently noticed my behavior! I have indeed been in contact with the Cosmosphere and I'll keep you posted on any developments there. Sure hope you like the book! |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 09-10-2009 11:36 AM
My copy arrived in the mail last night. Wonderful, after all of your years of work, to hold a copy at long last. Flicking through, it looks great, and I am enjoying reimmersing myself in your witty prose. To bring such humor to the subject makes me eager to read it.In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if this was the best book in the series. |
STEVE SMITH
unregistered
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posted 09-10-2009 01:22 PM
I remember that 2004 JPL tour so fondly. Kathy and I always say we get two things for our trips. We get to see the thing we wanted to see and thoroughly enjoy it. But always overshadowing that is the great people we meet and the long term relationships. Such was this with John and Mark (keep an eye on this name for future public service). We visited them on Canada Day 7/1/07 in their great hometown of Bathhurst, NB. Mark's wife Louise is outstanding; good health to all of you!And of course Jay, Don, and Andy (da, da, da, da, da-wipe out Comrade). We had a nice visit with Andy when the Early Space Gallery opened at Cosmosphere. I have a snapshot on the wall of him in his jaunty cap hugging the rocket exhaust cone of the Capitalist Pig Titan Rocket. Hope to see all of you at Cosmosphere in the near future. Anybody reading this is welcome to stay at our house 40 miles away while you visit. Might even show you some "stuff" Wish my autographed slide rule would turn up. I just ordered Jay's book and can't wait to read it and get it autographed. And can't wait to met his wife from all he has said about her. |
Jay Gallentine
Member Posts: 287
From: Shorewood, MN, USA
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 09-10-2009 09:32 PM
Francis, you are the first person who's reported in that their copy has landed. I think you got yours before my mom, even.I've run into many people who aren't convinced that space probes have any sort of appeal. I figured that if I could keep the material light, it'd only be more readable. So thanks for the validation there, Francis. And to say that Ambassadors might be best is high praise indeed. To Mr. Smith, sincere thanks for ordering the book and I look forward to the next time I see you and Kathy. I trust your slide rule will return no worse for the wear. I'll take you up on your offer for lodging when I come to the Cosmosphere! Thanks again for all the comments, everyone. I'm a bit overwhelmed by the responses. |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1634
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 09-11-2009 02:36 PM
I just ordered my copy from University of Nebraska Press. I even received an email from UNP with a code for a 25% discount. What a deal! |
Jay Gallentine
Member Posts: 287
From: Shorewood, MN, USA
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 09-11-2009 05:31 PM
Many thanks for ordering, and thanks also for mentioning the discount. I was not aware they were offering that!I surely hope you like the read! |
bruce
Member Posts: 916
From: Fort Mill, SC, USA
Registered: Aug 2000
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posted 09-11-2009 09:32 PM
I received my copy today and it looks delicious! I can't wait to dive in this weekend! |
Jay Gallentine
Member Posts: 287
From: Shorewood, MN, USA
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 09-12-2009 02:37 PM
Bruce, thanks for checking in to say that your copy has landed, and many sincere thanks for your interest in this book. Words can't express what that means.I trust you'll let us all know what you think of it! |
FFrench
Member Posts: 3161
From: San Diego
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 09-14-2009 01:26 AM
quote:
Originally posted by Jay Gallentine:
Francis, you are the first person who's reported in that their copy has landed. I think you got yours before my mom, even.
Ah, but I didn't mention which planet the copy had landed on... 
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Jay Gallentine
Member Posts: 287
From: Shorewood, MN, USA
Registered: Sep 2004
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posted 09-14-2009 08:34 PM
Francis, I'm truly speechless at that one.Curiously, I notice that the book's entry-descent-landing profile (the "EDL") managed to land it dee-rectly on top of all those Martian fossils NASA keeps trying to cover up. Coincidence? |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 09-15-2009 01:45 AM
Well it certainly looks like a "massive" book. Still waiting for EDL on the other side of the planet... Amazon might start shipping soon I guess! |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 09-15-2009 01:48 AM
Went from shipping in 7-11 days to 4-6 weeks and today it's "in stock" (Amazon). |
Philip
Member Posts: 5952
From: Brussels, Belgium
Registered: Jan 2001
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posted 09-15-2009 10:59 AM
That's on Amazon.com, for European readers (Amazon.co.uk) it's still: This title has not yet been released. You may pre-order it now and we will deliver it to you when it arrives. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 09-18-2009 11:58 PM
My copy shipped yesterday! Sorry, Philip.  |
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