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Author
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Topic: Spaceshots and Snapshots (Bisney, Pickering)
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Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46965
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 10-28-2014 12:47 AM
   
Spaceshots and Snapshots of Projects Mercury and Gemini: A Rare Photographic History by John Bisney and JL Pickering The race to space between the United States and the Soviet Union captured the popular imagination. On April 12, 1961, the USSR launched cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin on a one-orbit flight, making him the first human in space. Three weeks later, American astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. flew 116 miles above Earth before splashing down in the Bahamas. Over the next twenty years astronauts emerged as national heroes.This book tells the story of the people and events of Projects Mercury and Gemini with hundreds of unpublished and rare photographs — both color and black-and-white. Unlike other publications, which illustrate the space race with well-known and easily accessible images, this history draws from the authors' private library of over one hundred thousand (and growing) high-quality photos of the early U.S. manned-space program. Collected over a lifetime from public and private sources — including NASA archives, fellow collectors, retired NASA and news photographers, and auction houses — the images document American space missions of the Cold War era more comprehensively than ever before. Devoting a chapter to each flight, the authors also include detailed descriptions, providing new insight into one of America's greatest triumphs.  |
Lasv3
Member Posts: 450
From: Bratislava, Slovakia
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted 10-28-2014 01:06 AM
Fantastic! I'm really looking forward to hold this publication in my hands, the authors' names promise a very special result. |
Lou Chinal
Member Posts: 1371
From: Staten Island, NY
Registered: Jun 2007
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posted 10-28-2014 01:02 PM
John and J.L. - I'm looking forward to this. |
Joel Katzowitz
Member Posts: 840
From: Marietta GA USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 10-28-2014 04:22 PM
That's very exciting news, I'm really looking forward to snagging a copy.Will the book cover any of the Mercury and/or Gemini unmanned missions? |
Lasv3
Member Posts: 450
From: Bratislava, Slovakia
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted 10-30-2014 12:36 AM
Who is the astronaut on the cover? I would say it is not Gene Cernan neither Dick Gordon, then who of the three remaining possibilities? |
ColinBurgess
Member Posts: 2104
From: Sydney, Australia
Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 10-30-2014 01:40 AM
I believe that's Buzz Aldrin on Gemini XII. |
astro-nut
Member Posts: 1018
From: Washington, IL
Registered: Jan 2006
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posted 11-01-2014 04:00 PM
This is one that I am looking forward to!! Can't wait. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4386
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 11-01-2014 04:26 PM
If the cover is anything to go by this book will be a belter. That is a great image that I have not seen previously. And yes, it's Buzz. |
carmelo
Member Posts: 1067
From: Messina, Sicilia, Italia
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 04-04-2015 07:05 PM
How is this book? Seems interesting, but pictures are really "rare"? Opinions? |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46965
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 04-04-2015 07:08 PM
As noted, the book won't be released until June. But from what I understand, a number of the photos in this book are from a retired private photographer's archive, such that they have yet to be widely seen. |
carmelo
Member Posts: 1067
From: Messina, Sicilia, Italia
Registered: Jun 2004
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posted 04-05-2015 03:14 PM
Wow! Very interesting! |
Go4Launch
Member Posts: 562
From: Seminole, Fla.
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 04-05-2015 05:51 PM
Carmelo, it was certainly our goal to use as many rare, unusual, or never-before-seen images as possible, so we hope you will like it. — John quote:
Originally posted by Joel Katzowitz:
Will the book cover any of the Mercury and/or Gemini unmanned missions?
Joel, we focus only on the manned missions. |
mach3valkyrie
Member Posts: 729
From: Albany, Oregon
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 04-05-2015 11:05 PM
I've got a copy pre ordered. Looking forward to it. |
J.L
Member Posts: 688
From: Bloomington, Illinois, USA
Registered: May 2005
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posted 05-04-2015 05:56 PM
A nice plug for the upcoming release of "Spaceshots and Snapshots." |
J.L
Member Posts: 688
From: Bloomington, Illinois, USA
Registered: May 2005
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posted 05-18-2015 12:13 PM
Another nice article for upcoming release of "Spaceshots and Snapshots". |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1216
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 05-18-2015 02:58 PM
Fantastic articles! Well done, J.L. Have my book pre-ordered! Can't wait to get it! |
jjknap
Member Posts: 281
From: Bourbonnais, IL USA
Registered: Apr 2011
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posted 05-26-2015 05:57 PM
Amazon just shipped mine  |
Joel Katzowitz
Member Posts: 840
From: Marietta GA USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 05-27-2015 08:58 AM
I just placed my order. I think I'll go outside now and wait by my mailbox.Are there plans for a digital version? |
mercsim
Member Posts: 239
From: Phoenix, AZ
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 05-27-2015 09:10 AM
Mine showed up. The first thing I noticed is the paper is very thick, which should help stand up to the use/abuse I expect to give it There are some familiar photos but lots I had never seen. Each photo is captioned quite well which really puts you in the period. I'm very pleased and feel its worth the money. |
jjknap
Member Posts: 281
From: Bourbonnais, IL USA
Registered: Apr 2011
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posted 05-28-2015 06:34 PM
Received my copy. Beautiful book with beautiful pictures throughout! Appreciate the captions for each photo. Also, I love the mission by mission format. |
Silent Sea
Member Posts: 36
From:
Registered: Mar 2015
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posted 05-29-2015 02:07 PM
I just got mine and started looking through it. I'm so glad that these pictures are being shared with us! Pleased to see the care taken with captions. |
Joel Katzowitz
Member Posts: 840
From: Marietta GA USA
Registered: Dec 1999
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posted 05-31-2015 03:58 PM
My copy arrived today. I've only given it a cursory glance but I'm very happy with what I saw. Being a space history enthusiast and a photographer makes this a can't miss for me. I also really like the assorted access badges illustrated along with the photos.Nice work guys. |
rjurek349
Member Posts: 1216
From: Northwest Indiana
Registered: Jan 2002
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posted 05-31-2015 05:55 PM
I love Sunday Amazon deliveries... and just got my copy today, too. What a beautiful book! I have only flipped through it so far, but am blown away by the depth and quality of the photos... and love the additions of vintage artifacts, like press passes and others to highlight the various missions. Can't wait to dive into the book with gusto! |
Robert Pearlman
Editor Posts: 46965
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 06-10-2015 03:29 PM
I had the pleasure to sit down with JL and John recently at the Kennedy Space Center to talk about "Spaceshots and Snapshots." New photo book presents rare 'snapshots' from NASA's early 'spaceshots'J.L. Pickering usually doesn't take kindly to books claiming "never before seen" NASA photographs. A space historian and one half of the team behind the new title, "Spaceshots and Snapshots of Projects Mercury and Gemini: A Rare Photographic History," now available from University of New Mexico Press, he has almost assuredly already seen the photos. In fact, it's not uncommon to find him calling out the false descriptions. "When we would go into any bookstore, we would naturally check out the space books," John Bisney, Pickering's co-author, said about the catalyst that led to their new book, which presents some of the truly seldom reproduced shots from NASA's first piloted space programs. "We'd pull them out, look through them, and it would always be like, 'Seen that, seen that, seen that...'" |
mercsim
Member Posts: 239
From: Phoenix, AZ
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 06-10-2015 10:23 PM
The Freedom 7 version of the Spacecraft Films DVD has a hundred or so 'rare' photos submitted by JL. I think its worth the buy just for that! Of course its an excellent complement to the new book. |
Ken Havekotte
Member Posts: 3293
From: Merritt Island, Florida, Brevard
Registered: Mar 2001
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posted 06-11-2015 03:39 AM
Can't wait to see all the cool photos in the new book by J.L. and John, but where is the best place to order the books from? Would it be Amazon.com or perhaps the University of New Mexico Press? |
J.L
Member Posts: 688
From: Bloomington, Illinois, USA
Registered: May 2005
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posted 06-11-2015 09:20 AM
Ken, order through Amazon. You might also check your local Barnes & Noble. |
mach3valkyrie
Member Posts: 729
From: Albany, Oregon
Registered: Jul 2006
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posted 06-11-2015 10:19 AM
I got my copy and really enjoy all the spectacular uncommon photos. Top notch and well thought out. Great job guys! |
E2M Lem Man
Member Posts: 846
From: Los Angeles CA. USA
Registered: Jan 2005
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posted 06-14-2015 01:37 AM
J.L. and John, I just saw the book at B&N today. It is an incredible collection job and a wonderful read. My wife won't let me get it until Fathers day!!! We have a dog! LOL! |
J.L
Member Posts: 688
From: Bloomington, Illinois, USA
Registered: May 2005
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posted 06-18-2015 02:16 PM
For anyone interested on the east coast, John Bisney and I will be heading to Washington, D.C. next month for two days of "Spaceshots & Snapshots" book signings. First will be Friday, July 3 at Udvar-Hazy (by Dulles) from 12:00-5:00. Second will at the National Air and Space Museum downtown location on Sunday, July 5 from 12:00 to 5:00. Come and buy a book, or just stop to say hello. |
tlifan2
Member Posts: 53
From: Palm Coast, Florida
Registered: Feb 2014
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posted 06-21-2015 08:42 AM
Just got the book for Father's Day. Outstanding! As noted, the photographs are amazing and so many are new to me, despite collecting books and magazines on the manned space program since 1968.When I eventually pare down my library, this book will be one I keep. Great work. |
Steven Kaplan
Member Posts: 153
From: New Jersey
Registered: Jul 2001
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posted 06-21-2015 09:26 AM
Received the book for my birthday, and it is great. That J.L and John found such wonderful, obscure photos is a testament to their passion. This is a “must have” for any serious space geek. |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3363
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 06-24-2015 05:38 PM
This book seems to be a good example of how real books and real photographs still have an important place in our increasingly digitized world. I await my copy with great interest. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6265
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 06-25-2015 08:19 AM
The book is indeed great and is a must-have.Any plans to have a space shuttle book that would cover orbiter construction and testing and the first flights (there are too many flights, I know)? |
Lasv3
Member Posts: 450
From: Bratislava, Slovakia
Registered: Apr 2009
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posted 06-25-2015 09:31 AM
I would strongly support this idea — the structural tests at MSFC, ALT flights, Enterprise tests on LP39A — there must be quantity of never seen photos besides that these parts of the Space Shuttle development are not very well covered, they are obviously shadowed by the rich orbital flights coverage. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6265
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 06-26-2015 07:32 AM
And the shuttle at SLC-6 Vandenberg! |
Blackarrow
Member Posts: 3363
From: Belfast, United Kingdom
Registered: Feb 2002
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posted 07-02-2015 04:20 PM
UK enthusiasts would be well advised to order this from Amazon.com rather than Amazon UK. There is a significant saving, even allowing for the postal charges. |
Go4Launch
Member Posts: 562
From: Seminole, Fla.
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 07-16-2015 03:13 PM
JL Pickering and I (John) will be at the US Space Walk of Fame Museum in Titusville this Friday and Saturday (July 17 and 18) to sign copies of Spaceshots and Snapshots. We would love to have you stop by and say hello! We will be there from noon to 4 pm each day. |
Rick Mulheirn
Member Posts: 4386
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 07-16-2015 03:23 PM
For what it's worth, I just ordered a copy from The Book Depository via Amazon.uk and price was virtually identical to the cheapest U.S. offering. |
tetrox
Member Posts: 142
From: London England
Registered: Jan 2008
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posted 07-25-2015 05:40 AM
I received my copy today from the Book Depository in the UK following Rick's "heads-up."A lovely book on quality paper, my only disappointment was that full page plates tended to be photographs that I have seen before and the smaller, those I haven't.
All round a great addition to the bookshelf. |
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