posted August 15, 2010 10:06 AM               

For the most part the text is finished. Currently he and the publisher are working on inserting the photos into the text, attaching appropriate captions to the photos and formatting the product.

I've read the book several times in an editing type mode and the book is a very good autobiography. It covers his full professional life not just the NASA years and I think stands very strong with many of the others out there.

Bill has totally pulled out the stops on getting good photos and graphics into the book. Some are photos many have seen but many are new ones from his days in the Air Force and his Thunderbird tour.

The way the photos are added in the text and not in a single photo section really adds to the story since they come up at the appropriate time. There are a lot of photos but not so many that they become distracting or make the book an illustrated version.

This is a preliminary of the front cover of Bill's book. The final version may change.

posted August 16, 2010 02:52 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by capoetc:
Is it true that the book is going to be limited to 1000 copies, or is that just the first printing?

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I do not believe there are any current plans of limiting the book to only 1,000 copies. Communications I've had with Col. Pogue about his book suggest he does want a future wider publication. He did want to get something special out there mostly so his large and extended family can have his story in a first hand account. He has done all the writing himself and is a gifted writer with a strong since of history and good humor. I believe there is still a hunt for a general publisher once the product is final.

posted December 13, 2010 07:34 PM               

Don Boggs of Boggs Space Books will have a period of time where he will be the exclusive seller of the 1,000 signed and numbered copies. Those of you who know Don's business know many of his signed new releases come with no to very little additional cost. This book promises to be the same.

Currently Bill is not working with a general publisher. He hopes to have one sometime in 2011. His long time agent (Barbara Bova) for his other books died of cancer in September of 2009 and also his wife Jean to a long term illness in December of 2009. The personal setbacks ended the not yet finalized deals in the works at the time.

To finish the writing and editing stage of the project he decided to first release this private edition, all hand signed with one of his Skylab flown pens and ink so his expanding and extended family can have his story and we collectSPACE followers will have a chance to grab our own personal copy.

Below is an extended text of a blurb Walt Boyne has written for Bill's book. What will end up on the book cover will be greatly cut down due to space but Bill said he would like me to share the full text with you. Alan Bean, Ed Buckbee, Michael Collins and of course Ed Gibson and Jerry Carr of Skylab 4, SLM-3 have also weighed in for this special printing. I will share any additional text as I can.

It is not enough that Bill Pogue is a superb pilot, combat veteran, scientist, teacher and record-setting astronaut -- he is also a master story teller. His autobiography "But for the Grace of God" is one of the two best memoirs ever written by an astronaut, and should be required reading for every pilot or astronaut aspirant.

In his book, Pogue packages his adventure filled life into easy-to-read inspiring tales that move swiftly from page to page, and are filled with his reverence for his family, God, nature and mankind. Whether engaging the enemy in combat, flying metal-bending aerobatics with the Thunderbirds, or setting all records for distance and endurance in the wonderful Skylab -- a true space station of its time -- Pogue speaks clearly with a compelling authority but a modest tone.

This is a keeper, a book that all parents should provide their children as a guide to how good life can be when it is lived to its fullest.

Walter J. Boyne
Author/Historian,
Former Director, National Air & Space Museum
Enshrinee, National Aviation Hall of Fame

posted December 21, 2010 10:18 AM               

Very nice praise coming from the man often considered to have penned the best astronaut memoir.

Bill Pogue has had an amazing career: Oklahoma farm boy, Korean war fighter pilot, elite Thunderbird slot and wingman, mathematical whiz, eighty-four days of science as a Skylab astronaut, and much more. Competently and directly, he guides the reader through a half-century of technological advance, always in the forefront, but modestly so. A super read, a gem of a book.

Mike Collins, Command Module Pilot, Apollo 11

posted December 21, 2010 05:48 PM               

Numbered and signed edition (limited to only 1,000 copies) and signed with a Fisher Pen Flown on Skylab! Pre-order by email.

For decades, Bill Pogue has been an unsung hero in the astronaut corps. Korea war aviator, test pilot, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds solo and slot pilot, Air Force Academy Professor, Apollo 7, 11 and 14 support crew member, Skylab IV pilot, Boeing Space Station Freedom consultant and more, Pogue has seen it all and escaped death on several occasions.

Now his story is told in an extensive account of a unique life and in a unusually modest fashion. Many never told before behind the scenes stories.

Soar with Eagles Publishing | Rogers, AR | 2011 | 1st edition limited to 1,000 signed copies | SB | illustrated w/diagrams and photos | Signed with Fisher pen part #SEB12100051-208, Serial #1259 flown on the U.S. Skylab space station from May 14, 1973 to February 8, 1974 for 110 million miles in space during 4,100 orbits by author Bill Pogue, 6x9 inches, 334pp

posted December 22, 2010 01:15 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by gliderpilotuk:
Is it still paperback only or will there be a preferable h/b signed edition?

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A HB would be more desirable but Bill is interested in keeping this printing to the lowest cost he can while retaining a high quality. Seeing the price structure on this it is doubtful he will do anything other than recover his out of pocket costs. His primary interest is getting something written in his words on his life experiences for his family. I've read the text several times at different stages of editing and I think the book is extremely well written and holds strong reader interest. Easily one of the better written space memoirs and I believe I've read them all so far.

Although the final price isn't set yet all of the prices I've heard are quite low. I think it will be an excellent chance to pick up an excellent M.G.A. autobiography at an extremely good price.

posted January 07, 2011 01:13 PM               

$29.95 plus shipping, available exclusively from Boggs Space Books. You can’t even get one directly from Bill Pogue at this point. Boggs Space Books is the go to location to secure your personal copy.

Soar with Eagles | Rogers, AR | 2011 | 1st edition limited to 1,000 SIGNED copies | SB | illustrated w/diagrams and photos | New | SIGNED with Fisher pen part # SEB12100051-208, Serial # 1259 FLOWN on the U.S. Skylab space station from May 14, 1973 to February 8, 1974 for 110 million miles in space during 4,100 orbits by author Bill Pogue, 6x9 inches, 334pp

posted January 08, 2011 03:25 AM               

"God" is the largest word on the cover. Is this a religious book?

posted January 09, 2011 04:55 PM               

I think the real question is, does Bill Pogue have a religious agenda in writing his book?

We've read the book.

The conclusion from our review of the book is that he does not.

posted January 10, 2011 12:00 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by OLDIE:
It's strange how the word "God" upsets some people.

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It's not so much the word "God" but rather the possible agenda behind it. Apparently that's not the case with Pogue's book and I will buy a copy. Religion can easily turn into a walk through a mine field- even more so as of late. And I wouldn't want to read any book whose author would claim that his beliefs are better than somebody else's. It's a slippery slope.

posted January 10, 2011 02:49 AM               

Absolutely! When I am interested in someone's life I want to know what makes them tick even if I do not personally believe in the same things. My question was not rooted in intolerance.

posted January 10, 2011 01:27 PM               

Col. Pogue’s book is not a religious text, nor does it have any religious slant or agenda.

The title of Bill’s book is in reference to his mother. She and all of her children have deep religious beliefs. She prayed for all of her children daily from their births to the end of her life. Col. Pogue believes that prayer could be one of the reasons he is still alive today. He confronted seemingly certain death several times in his career as a combat pilot and several other times during his career. Even his birth was a little touchy. In his introduction he talks about his mother and their beliefs briefly. I’ve read the text several times in an editing mode and don’t recall if religion is brought up throughout the book. Other than getting his first job at a church in Sand Springs, Oklahoma and him mentioning some volunteer work her currently does at a local church I don’t believe religion or church is mentioned. It doesn’t preach anywhere, not even in the introduction where the topic is brushed lightly. It simply explains one facet of a thousand faceted extraordinary person. It does help explain partly why Bill Pogue is such a kind and decent person. He does believe in things bigger than self.

posted January 12, 2011 07:54 AM               

Pogue is the only astronaut I've actually met. He was the Astronaut Encounter speaker when I visited KSC in December 2002. He gave an exciting and witty presentation, and was especially concerned about reaching out to the youngsters in the rather sparse audience. He enjoyed shaking hands and saying hello afterwards. No autographs though, since those were reserved for the paying guests at the subsequent astronaut luncheon.

posted January 14, 2011 03:17 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by AJ:
Evelyn Husband wrote a very moving book called "High Calling" about her life with her husband Rick and the tragedy that claimed his life.

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Thank you AJ for the heads up regarding "High Calling". I seem to remember it being out there but forgot about it.

I will get that title back on my search list. I would like to know more about her story as the wife of one of our "Fallen Astronauts" to borrow a phrase from Colin Burgess.

Don Lind’s book "Mormon Astronaut" is heavy on religion in the first couple of short chapters which talk mostly about the Mormon Church. After that it is a very good well told story about a dedicated and inspiring life. I recommend the book to anyone who isn’t offended by seeing the word/name/title God in print. I’ve read Lind's book a couple of times and never once thought I need to check out the Mormon Church.

I even mailed my copy to Don and Kathleen Lind asking them to sign it for me. Both did and they even returned it with a short nice note and a copy of the Book of Mormon. I'm still not offended nor have I become a Mormon.

posted January 19, 2011 11:58 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by AJ:
Seriously? Someone wouldn't buy a book about a subject they're interested in because it might be about religion?

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posted January 19, 2011 01:14 PM               

My copy of the book arrived today and I've already begun reading it. So far, it's excellent and there are some delightful photos throughout the book.

posted January 19, 2011 08:30 PM               

1. This was the largest pre-order and first week follow-up of any signed book we have carried. Hansen's First Man was #2 in initial popularity.

2. Since this is a numbered edition, there may be interest in knowing that Bill reserved the first 50 copies for family and close friends.

posted January 21, 2011 02:50 AM            

quote:

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Originally posted by ColinBurgess:
I'm must admit I'm rather bemused by some of the posts regarding the title and content of Bill's book. So how many of the detractors own and have read "To Rule the Night" (biblical quotation) by Jim Irwin?

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I am one of your "detractors", despite having previously confirmed that I will be buying the book. I also own Irwin's "To Rule The Night" (and for that matter Mary Irwin's "The Moon is Not Enough", and Don/Kathleen Lind's "Mormon Astronaut").

I also recognised and understood, at the time of purchasing each of these books, how they would be pitched given the openly held views of the authors. There was never any doubt about it in those instance, and they were and are very interesting, in their own ways.

I believe the original point on this topic, to which I responded, was to get an idea about whether this book would be an account of Pogue's career as an astronaut, or a more philosophical work about his belief systems, or maybe both. While I don't "detract" from philosophical/ religious books by any stretch, I merely wanted an informed basis upon which to make a purchasing decision. That is, I want to read about Pogue's time as an astronaut. I did not necessarily want a philosophical book in this instance.

posted January 21, 2011 08:02 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by MCroft04:
Can I assume that the ink was also flown?

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