posted 10-09-2018 08:44 AM               

"That's one small step for (a) man, one giant leap for mankind," were the words spoken by astronaut Neil Armstrong as he stepped off the Apollo 11. This was the first and most famous manned mission to land on the Moon. As a 19-year-old college journalist, author David Chudwin covered the launch from Florida in July 1969. Chudwin was the only journalist with official NASA press credentials representing the college press and had extraordinary access to the astronauts, rocket scientists, launch pads, rockets, and control centers.

2019 will be the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 ― a time to look back to celebrate that mission, and forward to our future in space. Divided into three parts, this book provides: the author's account of covering the first landing on the Moon in 1969; lessons learned from the Apollo program and their relevance to future space activities; and our future in space including new rockets, space stations, and trips back to the Moon and to Mars.

• Paperback: 256 pages
  
• LID Publishing (April 2, 2019)
  
• ISBN-10: 0999187120
  
• ISBN-13: 978-0999187128

posted 12-28-2018 06:43 AM               

During the 50th anniversary celebration in 2019 of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing, millions of people all around the world will remember where they werand what they were doing when the Eagle landed on the Sea of Tranquility with astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on board. But this book's author, David Chudwin, was actually there, as a teenager, with his camera and a notepad, as a bonafide member of the press when the mission blasted off from Cape Kennedy on 16 July 1969. The photos Chudwin took as a teenage space reporter are compelling, but it is the story of how his experience with Apollo 11 changed his life that is so profound and marvelous.

— James R. Hansen, Neil Armstrong biographer, author of First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong, and co-producer of the film of the same name

Seeing Apollo 11's launch through the memories of a wide-eyed teenage outsider is remarkable: a homegrown reminiscence from someone fortunate to be a witness to humankind's greatest engineering triumph.

— Francis French, space historian and Director of Education, San Diego Air and Space Museum

History is a subject best understood after viewing it through multiple lenses. How wonderful to have this new perspective from David Chudwin, who has crafted a vivid memoir about covering the Apollo 11 moon flight as a young journalist. His sharp recall of details frames the events in a rich tapestry of historical context. David's ambition and 'don't give up' work ethic are an inspiring call to action for all types of young explorers to pursue their interests and follow their dreams.

— Jay Gallentine, award-winning space historian and author of Ambassadors from Earth: Pioneering Explorations with Unmanned Spacecraft

posted 12-29-2018 11:17 PM               

The launch of a Saturn V is the most amazing thing you would ever see. It was the largest and most powerful rocket ever conceived by man. What a thrill to be part of that great program and fly to the Moon! David has captured much of the excitement and emotional highs those launches included. You will like this book and the photos taken by a very dedicated and proficient photographer.

― Al Worden, astronaut, Apollo 15 Command Module Pilot

While in the astronaut training ‘pipeline’ for an Apollo mission, I served as CAPCOM and Lunar Module Checkout astronaut on Support Crews for Apollos 9, 10, and 13. In fact, I was the CAPCOM who answered that fateful call from Apollo 13, ‘Houston, we have a problem!’ Follow the riveting stories from those exciting and historic days of the Apollo program in this book by Dr. David Chudwin, my fellow graduate from the University of Michigan.

― Jack Lousma, astronaut, Apollo 13 CAPCOM, Skylab 2 Pilot and STS-3 Commander

posted 02-16-2019 01:39 PM               

At the start of 16 July 1969, just after midnight, I boarded the Apollo 11 Capsule to go through a several-hundred-item ‘switch list’ to assure the ship was ready for crew ingress. I was very excited to be a part of this historic mission leading to our first landing on the Moon. David's book gives one a great perspective of the excitement and experience of someone outside the Apollo Program!

― Fred Haise, astronaut, Apollo 11 Backup and Apollo 13 Lunar Module Pilot

I was very honored to be the Apollo 11 CAPCOM during the first landing on the Moon. This was a very tense time, especially the last minute before the landing. "I Was a Teenage Space Reporter: From Apollo 11 to Our Future in Space" takes the reader into every part of the Apollo Program, just as if you are there! It is a must read.

― Charles Duke, astronaut, Apollo 11 Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM) and Apollo 16 Moonwalker

posted 03-01-2019 11:59 AM               

Included so far:

• April 6 Book Launch Party, Cape Canaveral (contact me for details)
  
• April 18 Carroll College, Waukesha WI
  
• April 27 Armstrong Museum, Wapakoneta OH
  
• August 7 Spacefest X, Tucson AZ

posted 05-03-2019 11:37 AM               

The first one is my April 3 appearance on "The Weekly Space Hangout":

The second is my talk at the Neil Armstrong Air & Space Museum on April 27 to the Space Hipsters' Spring Field Trip:

posted 05-18-2019 06:25 PM               

• June 15-- Barnes & Noble, Mellody Farms, Vernon Hills IL 2-4 p.m.
  
• July 15-- U.S. Space and Rocket Center bookstore, Huntsville AL
  
• August 8 & 9-- Spacefest X, Tucson AZ
  
• September 27-- The Michigan Daily Alumni Weekend, Ann Arbor MI (TBD)

posted 06-19-2019 11:32 PM               

1. The Space Show with Dr. David Livingston (posted June 11).
   
2. Dreamers2Makers with Mike Dawson (posted June 13)
   
3. Space3D with Eleanor O'Rangers and Tom Hill: Part 1 | Part 2 (posted June 3 and June 19)

posted 06-23-2019 03:32 PM               

• 15 Jul — Huntsville AL, U.S. Space and Rocket Center store, 1 p.m.- 3 p.m.

• 20 July — Vernon Hills IL, Barbara's Book Store at Hawthorn Mall, 2-4 p.m.

• 20 July — Glen Ellyn IL, College of DuPage Apollo 11 50th Anniversary celebration, 5:30-8:30 p.m.

• 8 August — Tucson AZ Spacefest X. Lecture, noon. Book signings August 9, 10:45 a.m., and August 10, 1:15 p.m.

posted 08-02-2019 08:46 AM               

• OPTION A: If you already have a copy and want it autographed, send it via "Media Mail" along with $5 for return postage and packing to me (P.O. Box 878, Lincolnshire IL 60069). If you want it returned by Priority Mail, send an additional $5 (checks, PayPal, or money orders only, no credit cards). There is no autograph fee.

• OPTION B: If you want to purchase an autographed book, send $20 to me at the above address, indicate to whom you want it inscribed, and I will return it to you by "Media Mail" (add $5 if you want Priority Mail).

posted 10-07-2019 05:09 AM               

• "The Unexplained" with Howard Hughes (UK)
  
• "Top of Mind with Julie Rose" (BYU Radio)
  
• "Cosmic Perspective Radio" with Andy Poniros (WPKN Radio)

posted 12-17-2019 03:07 PM               

David met Foster while David was on a Space Center Houston Level 9 tour of Johnson Space Center. David later sent him an inscribed copy of the book.

posted 02-13-2020 06:53 AM               

5.0 out of 5 stars - A Great Read From Someone Who Was There
February 10, 2020

When I was young, I was desperately interested in the Apollo program. I begged and pleaded my father to take me a Saturn V launch--any launch--but it was not to be. David Chudwin took matters into his own hands and went to the launch of Apollo 11 as a journalist--and what a story he has to tell. If you want a first-hand look into the experience, this is your book. It's not something that will come our way again.

5.0 out of 5 stars - For those born too late and wish they could have been there, this is the book to read!
October 23, 2019

I was born too late to have gotten to see the Apollo program in person. I constantly wish I could travel back in time. Then this book came along. It's awesome! Finally I can picture being there, alongside David.

5.0 out of 5 stars - Great Eyewitnesses to History
April 22, 2019

Love this book. David was in the right place to see history, and now was the right time for him to pull his wonderful memories together for everyone to enjoy. It's a great read and David takes everyone along on the space journey of a lifetime. Most of us watched the Apollo 11 launch on television. David was living the dream on the Florida spacecoast in 1969.

5.0 out of 5 stars - Up Close and Personal with Apollo 11
June 19, 2019

David Chudwin had an experience that many would envy. As a college journalist, he managed to score press credentials to attend the launch of our first crewed mission to the moon, Apollo 11. This book brings you there with him, when he stood a mere 2,000 feet from the Saturn V rocket poised on its pad and, later, when he feels the heat from the rocket as it is fired from the pad at lift-off. But it's more than an "I was there" account; he puts the landing in historical context and shares the discussions he's enjoyed with the Apollo astronauts since then. I urge you to enjoy this journey!

5.0 out of 5 stars - 5 stars from a fellow spaceflight journalist
May 13, 2019

(Excerpt) Most importantly, Chudwin has written a fresh and unique perspective on what it means to be a young person watching the beginning of the space age - a necessary achievement. He contributes to the concept of spaceflight as a cultural institution.

His writing immerses the reader in each of these historically memorable moments, giving them a relatable connection to what happened 50 years ago. This is cemented by the inclusion of primary sources like scans of the original press documents, handwritten notes, typewriter rolls, and original photographs. To be clear: this is not a history with a lengthy bibliography - it's a factual personal story from the past. A historical memoir…

If you are new to spaceflight, it's a perfect introduction to the history and value of the field. If you are involved in journalism, especially if you are under 35, it's a keen insight into professionalism and dedication to your coverage. Ultimately, "I Was a Teenage Space Reporter" is a pertinent contribution to the Apollo narrative.