Blog Tour: Review of Apollo to the Moon by Teasel Muir-Harmony

Author: Teasel Muir-Harmony
Publisher: National Geographic
Date of publication: October 2018

A celebration of the 50th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo missions to the moon, this narrative uses 50 key artifacts from the Smithsonian archives to tell the story of the groundbreaking space exploration program.

Bold photographs, fascinating graphics, and engaging stories commemorate the 20th century’s most important space endeavor: NASA’s Apollo program to reach the moon. From the lunar rover and an emergency oxygen mask to space food and moon rocks, it’s a carefully curated array of objects–complete with intriguing back stories and profiles of key participants.

This book showcases the historic space exploration program that landed humans on the moon, advanced the world’s capabilities for space travel, and revolutionized our sense of humanity’s place in the universe. Each historic accomplishment is symbolized by a different object, from a Russian stamp honoring Yuri Gagarin and plastic astronaut action figures to the Apollo 11 command module, piloted by Michael Collins as Armstrong and Aldrin made the first moonwalk, together with the monumental art inspired by these moon missions. Throughout, Apollo to the Moon also tells the story of people who made the journey possible: the heroic astronauts as well as their supporters, including President John F. Kennedy, newsman Walter Cronkite, and NASA scientists such as Margaret Hamilton.

Apollo to the Moon is a unique look at the history of the NASA Apollo missions that ultimately led to The United States sending the first man to the moon.  I will admit to not reading this book cover to cover.  However, it's not really a book that is meant to be read like that.  It's more of a book to be browsed and savored.  There is a lot to take in, so on my first pass through the book, I browsed the pictures and stopped to read the corresponding passages of the objects that looked interesting to me.  

This book is filled with beautiful photos related to 50 artifacts left over from  NASA's Apollo program.  The author's hope is that by seeing the artifacts, the reader will be able to get more of a sense of what it was like to be there.  One of the most interesting objects that I found was the Data Acquisition Camera from Apollo 11.  It recorded the descent onto the moon as well as the key moments outside of the Eagle. What I loved about this is that it was meant to stay on the moon.  Only the film from the camera was supposed to make the trip back home.  Instead, Neil Armstrong smuggled it back to earth in a bag he nicknamed the "McDivitt purse".  It was found in a closet by Armstrong's wife after he died.  How cool is that?  That is just one of the little tidbits you will find among the pages of this volume. I definitely recommend this one to anyone really, but especially those who are into anything NASA.