Author
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Topic: Entering Space: An Astronaut's Odyssey (Joseph Allen)
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AstroAutos Member Posts: 803 From: Co. Monaghan, Republic of Ireland Registered: Mar 2009
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posted 08-23-2013 10:44 AM
Just bought a copy of "Entering Space: An Astronaut's Odyssey" by Joseph Allen off Amazon - anyone have a copy and care to give your opinions?I understand 'Little Joe' has a keen interest in photography and the book includes over 200 wonderful photographs (many taken by Dr. Allen himself.) |
Lasv3 Member Posts: 410 From: Bratislava, Slovakia Registered: Apr 2009
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posted 08-23-2013 11:28 AM
It´s a beautiful (mainly) photographic publication divided into chapters covering the launch phase, living and working in space, return from orbit, Earth views and planetary missions. Final chapter describes the 51-A Westar and Palapa satelites rescue mission.The book is printed on glossy paper, photos are simply great, you will enjoy it. |
ea757grrl Member Posts: 729 From: South Carolina Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 08-23-2013 11:40 AM
I remember when it came out, and it was one of the first really vivid photographic glimpses inside the active Shuttle program. I couldn't afford it at the time (I was young enough to still be getting an allowance from my parents each month) but I remember looking at it every time we were in a bookstore. If I recall correctly, in 1987 there was a tie-in calendar with images from the book. My parents gave me the calendar at Christmas and I absolutely loved it. I didn't get the book itself until 2004, but it's a wonderful time capsule from when the Shuttle program was new and the possibilities seemed endless. |
fredtrav Member Posts: 1673 From: Birmingham AL Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 08-23-2013 01:02 PM
I too have a copy. It is a great addition to a space library, or any library for that matter. The pictures are wonderful and vivid. The commentary is good, but the pictures are what the book is about. You won't regret buying it. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-23-2013 01:11 PM
quote: Originally posted by Lasv3: Final chapter describes the 51-A Westar and Palapa satelites rescue mission.
I believe that would be the softcover "enlarged" 1987 re-release. The original hardcover edition in 1984 preceded the mission. |
Blackarrow Member Posts: 3118 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-23-2013 01:30 PM
I have a hardback copy dated 1988 with the Westar/Palapa recovery (the book would have seemed premature if it HADN'T included Joe Allen's finest work).I got my copy almost by accident. It was the "book of the month" in a book club I had joined. I forget to look through the lists and I ended up being sent the "book of the month" as my default choice. A very happy accident. It's a really beautiful book. |
KenDavis Member Posts: 187 From: W.Sussex United Kingdom Registered: May 2003
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posted 08-23-2013 03:14 PM
It's a great book - but what I like most is Joe's preface. It is a wonderful piece of writing. |
Spoon Member Posts: 143 From: Cumbria, UK Registered: May 2006
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posted 08-24-2013 09:29 AM
I pestered my parent's for a copy after seeing Joe Allen talking about his career, and the book's publication, on the children's show Blue Peter back in '84.My Mam had to specially order a copy from WH Smiths, and I can remember being blown away by the images. I especially loved (and still do) the picture of Challenger rolling to the pad in the fog. Lovely book, still cherished today. |
garymilgrom Member Posts: 1966 From: Atlanta, GA Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 08-24-2013 09:41 AM
And the book is available used for $3.99 including US shipping at Amazon. |
fredtrav Member Posts: 1673 From: Birmingham AL Registered: Aug 2010
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posted 08-24-2013 11:52 AM
Also on Amazon is a softcover signed copy for $19.95 plus the shipping. |
Ronpur Member Posts: 1211 From: Brandon, Fl Registered: May 2012
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posted 08-24-2013 06:08 PM
One of my favorite books back in the early days of Shuttle. That book and the calender is what got me through the Challenger stand down. Staring at those pictures, dreaming of the day we would return to orbit. |
Blackarrow Member Posts: 3118 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 08-25-2013 03:38 PM
quote: Originally posted by Ronpur: That book and the calender is what got me through the Challenger stand down.
Is there any book getting you through the current hiatus? |
GoesTo11 Member Posts: 1309 From: Denver, CO Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 08-25-2013 04:07 PM
quote: Originally posted by Blackarrow: Is there any book getting you through the current hiatus?
Cold, my friend. Cold. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42981 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 08-25-2013 04:21 PM
I think Chris Cassidy and Karen Nyberg (and Mark Hopkins and Rick Mastracchio and Steve Swanson and Greg Wiseman and Butch Wilmore and Terry Virts and Scott Kelly and Kjell Lindgren, and I could go on...) would suggest that if you are in need something to read, read their on-orbit journals through 2016 and beyond. |
GoesTo11 Member Posts: 1309 From: Denver, CO Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 09-05-2013 10:02 PM
I was inspired by this thread to buy a paperback "expanded" edition for a few bucks from an Amazon vendor.I still remember unwrapping my original hardcover copy, along with The Space Shuttle Operator's Manual, on Christmas morning '84 or '85. This was when we were at Edwards AFB and I'd seen STS-5, 6, 7, and 9 land. I literally carried that book around with me for weeks. It's still a beautifully illustrated book, and as a previous poster said, a time capsule of what we though was possible then. I still have my original copy (though in storage with much of my library), but leafing through the one I got over the weekend triggered a lot of fond memories. |