American Moonshot

"Brinkley's story is a gripping one.... Rice University scholar and an agile and prolific historian and biographer, Brinkley is well-situated to tell this story... Brinkley sees an important poignancy, and he renders it with real power." -- Boston Globe

"A highly engaging history not just for space-race enthusiasts, but also students of Cold War politics....Prolific historian Brinkley avers that his latest is a contribution to "U.S. presidential history (not space studies)." However, in his customarily thorough way, it's clear that he's mastered a great deal of the fact and lore surrounding the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo projects that landed American astronauts on the moon 50 years ago." -- Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

"At a time when national demoralization is so prevalent, Douglas Brinkley's American Moonshot could not be more timely. His reconstruction of JFK's bold commitment to space exploration and the heroic efforts of the men who made the "moonshot" a reality reminds us that America was and can be again a great principled nation that leads the world on to new frontiers." -- Robert Dallek, author of Franklin D. Roosevelt and An Unfinished Life: John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963

"An epic narrative: it is the sweeping story of how humankind's impetus for space exploration evolved from the early visionaries in Russia, Germany, and the United States at the dawn of the 20th century through the scientific and technological achievements--albeit associated human horrors--of two world wars....a particularly intimate and fascinating read." -- James R. Hansen, author of First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong

"Prepare to recall what it was like to be inspired and thrilled by American greatness. Doug Brinkley recounts, with deep research and exciting narrative, the bold spirit and faith in innovation that was embodied in Kennedy's decision to launch a mission to the moon. His vision restored a vitality to America, something we could use today." -- Walter Isaacson, author of Leonardo da Vinci

"The best new study of the American mission to space, rich in research and revelation." -- New York Times Book Review

"Compelling and comprehensive....With a mixture of granular detail from a gigantic body of works on the subject and analyses of Kennedy's decision-making and political savvy, American Moonshot transcends mere narrative to help the rest of us understand how America geared up for the astonishing feat of landing a man on the moon. With the approach of the 50th anniversary of Neil Armstrong's 'small step for man, ' Brinkley's focus on the all-important early days provides a valuable perspective." -- Washington Post

"In an age when so little seems possible, Douglas Brinkley has taken us back to a moment when everything did. In telling the riveting story of John Kennedy and the race to the Moon, Brinkley explores the complexities of politics, diplomacy, technology, and, perhaps most important, of human nature itself. This is a great book." -- Jon Meacham, author of The Soul of America: The Battle for Our Better Angels

"Douglas Brinkley is not only a scholar, he's a true storyteller. American Moonshot evokes and era, and brings to life the vivid personalities that accomplished one of the greatest feats in history." -- Lawrence Wright, author of God Save Texas: A Journey into the Soul of the Lone Star State

"American Moonshot is a thoroughly terrific work which should reach the widest possible audience. As a study in leadership, it is absolutely first rate. As history, it is inspiring and enthralling. And to cap it all, it is a completely riveting story about the Space Age. I love this book." -- Doris Kearns Goodwin, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning No Ordinary Time: Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt: The Home Front During World War II