American Moonshot

John F. Kennedy and the Great Space Race

By: Douglas Brinkley

Narrated by: Stephen Graybill

A 2020 Audie Awards winner - history/biography

As the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing approaches, the award-winning historian and perennial New York Times best-selling author takes a fresh look at the space program, President John F. Kennedy’s inspiring challenge, and America’s race to the moon.

“We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organize and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win.” (President John F. Kennedy)

On May 25, 1961, JFK made an astonishing announcement: his goal of putting a man on the moon by the end of the decade. In this engrossing, fast-paced epic, Douglas Brinkley returns to the 1960s to recreate one of the most exciting and ambitious achievements in the history of humankind. American Moonshot brings together the extraordinary political, cultural, and scientific factors that fueled the birth and development of NASA and the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo projects, which shot the US to victory in the space race against the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War.

Drawing on new primary source material and major interviews with many of the surviving figures who were key to America’s success, Brinkley brings this fascinating history to life as never before. American Moonshot is a portrait of the brilliant men and women who made this giant leap possible, the technology that enabled us to propel men beyond earth’s orbit to the moon and return them safely, and the geopolitical tensions that spurred Kennedy to commit himself fully to this audacious dream. Brinkley’s ensemble cast of New Frontier characters include rocketeer Wernher von Braun, astronaut John Glenn, and space booster Lyndon Johnson.

A vivid and enthralling chronicle of one of the most thrilling, hopeful, and turbulent eras in the nation’s history, American Moonshot is an homage to scientific ingenuity, human curiosity, and the boundless American spirit.

©2019 Douglas Brinkley (P)2019 HarperCollins Publishers

brought back memories.

really enjoyed this book. I was a teenager doing the race to the moon. remembered all the space race events. the political backstory in this book gave me a different insight. highly recommend this book to those interested in the Kennedy years.

Superb in both entertainment and substance!

An excellent weaving together of two seminal storylines from this country’s history, and most ably voiced. A treat!

Doug Brinkley is a master- American Moonshot is a must

Brinkley, noted historian and political commentator tells the complete story of the United States race to the moon. Beginning at the end of WWIl he weaves an extraordinary story of this unlikely success.

Great story!

Even to those of us who were there at the time, this is a truly amazing story of how the moonshot was actually planned and executed. To hear the backstory was really interesting! When you think of all the modern technology that was begun during the space race and why, you can’t help but thank Kennedy and Johnson for pushing so hard for our space program.

Informative telling of the moonshot from the perspective of JFK and his administration.

A great view of the United States moon mission from the point of view of President John F Kennedy and his administration.

Great story, well written

Loved, didn't want it to end. A story of real heros that we need in this day and age.

Listening to moonshot history!

Awesome listen. I didn't know there was such resistance to getting the job done! Great job!

A Story Larger than it's Science

While the technical challenge was obviously daunting the real story is about the vision of a president and a commitment of a nation capital to the single goal. I was a child in the time of the Apollo missions and even as an engineer in my professional life I still hung on every word of this story what a marvelous time in the achievement of mankind.

Excellent account of the origins of the space race

Douglas Brinkley gives an excellent account of John F Kennedy's propelling this nation to put a man on the moon. It details taking all the German scientists and technology to the United States and the horrible way they were received. This book shows a fascinating side to the president. His inspiration galvanized our ability to come out from behind and successfully explore the moon.

Captivating true story

A reminder of the importance of having bold dreams but also the challenges of political realities. Amazing story of US history.