Fifty-five years ago, in July of 1969, the entire world watched in awe as Neil Armstrong became the first human to set foot on the Moon, declaring his mission "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind." It was a massive achievement, one that took years of work from thousands of individuals to make happen, inspired by President John F. Kennedy's 1961 challenge to land a man on the Moon and safely return him to Earth before the end of the decade.
This event was a turning point in the history of space exploration and made a huge cultural impact across the globe. Celebrate the anniversary with these fascinating audiobooks about the Space Race, the Moon landing, the present and future of space travel, and the science of the Moon.
One Small Step is a collection of four BBC documentaries about the Moon that makes a great listen for anyone interested in the past, present, and future of Moon exploration. In part one, listeners hear firsthand what it was like to be aboard Apollo 11 from Buzz Aldrin, Neil Armstrong, and more. Part two tracks the history of Moon landings from 1969 to today. Part three takes a step back to consider what it is about the Moon that has fascinated us for centuries. And part four looks at what might be ahead in space exploration. If you appreciate the BBC's thorough reporting and entertaining presentation style, don't miss this audiobook.
Have you ever wondered what it was like to be an astronaut aboard those early Apollo missions to the Moon? How much work it took to prepare? The fear of takeoff and the thrill of seeing the Moon up close? You'll learn all that and more in astronaut Michael Collins's 1974 memoir, Carrying the Fire. Collins's writing—especially with David Colacci's narration—is warm, funny, and accessible, inviting listeners aboard his journeys as an experimental test pilot and his missions on the Gemini 10 and Apollo 11. Short of hopping aboard a spaceship, this is the closest many of us can get to experiencing Moon landings in person.
Despite his very public career successes, Neil Armstrong kept his personal life and much of his work private. So it was a huge deal when he agreed to his first (and only) official biography by sitting for more than 50 hours of interviews with history professor James R. Hansen. In First Man, you'll hear Armstrong's real story beyond his "giant leap for mankind," from his family background to his time as a Navy aviator to his first adventures in space. Actor Jeremy Bobb brings drama and heart to this story of one man's small step and the giant leap he took for all mankind.
In 2016, author Margot Lee Shetterly introduced the world to brilliant but forgotten women in history in her bestselling book Hidden Figures. That same year, the story reached an even larger audience through the film adaptation starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe. The book tells the story of Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan, Mary Jackson, and Christine Darden, four Black women mathematicians whose underappreciated work made the Moon landing—and many other advancements in space travel—possible. Hear the story for yourself in the powerful audiobook narrated by actor Robin Miles.
Imagine sitting down for a cup of coffee with two of history’s most iconic astronauts, chatting with legendary alum from the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions about their adventures. That's what listening to Moon Shot, a trailblazing account from astronauts Alan Shepard and Deke Slayton, feels like. Originally published in 1994 for the 25th anniversary of the first Moon landing, this essential blend of science writing and memoir recalls the early years of Moon exploration, from Sputnik to the earliest moonwalks. Narrator Christopher Grove warmly invites listeners into Shepard and Slayton's unforgettable story.
John C. Houbolt was a midlevel engineer at NASA when John F. Kennedy challenged the organization to find a way to reach the Moon. As the top NASA executives and researchers focused on building one spacecraft that could reach the Moon, land, and then return home, Houbolt saw another way: Lunar Orbit Rendezvous. The LOR proposal involved sending two spacecraft—a larger primary craft that would orbit the Moon while a smaller one landed and explored the surface. Houbolt's bosses practically laughed in his face, but he persisted, arguing that it was the only way to accomplish their goal. Ultimately, Houbolt was right, and it was his insistence that made the Moon landing possible. In the Audible Original The Man Who Knew the Way to the Moon, journalist Todd Zwillich shares Houbolt's story alongside interviews and historical recordings to show just how crucial LOR was to the Apollo program missions.
The Moon landing was clearly an enormous accomplishment for the astronauts and engineers who made it possible, but it was also a perspective-shifting event for those who watched from Earth. For All Humankind is a global folk history of how the Moon landing impacted people across the world. Planetary scientist Tanya Harrison and space geographer Danny Bednar interviewed space enthusiasts from outside the US to find out if the Moon landing really was a step for all humankind, not just Americans. Narrated by Stephen Bowlby, it's a one-of-a-kind audiobook that will change how you think about the Space Race.
One of the many challenges of sending humans to the Moon was deciding what they would wear. Engineers worked tirelessly to design spacesuits that would be functional and protective for moonwalks, but the company that ultimately designed a working suit was Playtex, known for selling women's undergarments. In this audiobook written by Nicholas de Monchaux and narrated by Bronson Pinchot, you'll hear about the search for the right design, the 21 layers of fabric used, and the seamstresses who set aside their work on bras and girdles to create custom suits for the Apollo missions.
Humans have been fascinated by the Moon since long before we found a way to visit. Science journalist Rebecca Boyle reveals how the Moon has shaped our planet and traces the history of human development by our interest in the Moon, from ancient hunting and agriculture to Mesopotamian religions to the Space Race to some of our most recent discoveries about the Moon. Narrated by actress Rebecca Lowman, this is an engaging and informative must-listen for anyone fascinated by our magnificent Moon.
Maggie Aderin-Pocock is a space scientist and a presenter of the BBC's The Sky at Night, and her enthusiasm about the Moon is infectious. In The Book of the Moon, Aderin-Pocock converts listeners into fellow "Lunatics" with her captivating musings on the history, science, and cultural influence of the Moon, from ancient observations and Moon landings to poetry and science fiction inspired by what she calls our "closest neighbor." This is a great listen for curious kids and adults alike, narrated delightfully by the author.
Similar to 1969, the Moon was the topic on everyone's lips in April 2024. But this time, it wasn't about technological advancement and humans rocketing into space. It was the solar eclipse, an astronomical event that has amazed humans since the dawn of our species. In In the Shadow of the Moon, astronomy and anthropology professor Anthony Aveni explains the science of eclipses and their cultural impact from ancient to modern times. LJ Ganser's enthralling narration of this multidisciplinary deep dive elevates this essential account to new heights.
