Genesis (Cl,4 Walls 8 Windows)

I write this review on December 21, 2008, which is the exact 40th anniversary of the historic flight of Apollo 8. Complaints about this book promoting American triumphalism are the exact opposite of what this book is actually about. It was the Soviets who were first with Sputnik, first with Gagarin in space, and first in many other ways. They spared no efforts to convince the world that their successes were proofs of the overall superiority of Communism to capitalism. The US simply responded with her own eventual successes--along with a propaganda counterpunch. Nor is Zimmerman trying to promote religion. When citing the readings from GENESIS, he leaves the existence of God an open question. (p. XII). What he does object to, however, is the rejection of the spiritual magnificence of the universe according to the Soviet system of thinking. Zimmerman suggests that the famous "Earthrise" photo from Apollo 8 triggered the environmental movement. However, his graph shows that the exponential increase in laws protecting the environment actually began in 1964 (p. 275), which was four years before this historic flight. This book intersperses events on Apollo 8 with other events in the 1960's. There are also "flashbacks" to earlier events and earlier space flights. Interestingly, Susan Borman reportedly had serious doubts about the Apollo 8 crew coming home alive, and her doubts about NASA first erupted after the tragic and easily-avoidable launch-pad fire of Apollo 1. The book often puts things in perspective. This includes the power and speed of the rockets, and the distance covered in space in the few minutes that the astronauts were observing and photographing the Earth. So, forty years have passed since my 14 year-old space-nut self had thrilled in this flight. Unbelievable!

In Genesis: The Story of Apollo 8: The First Manned Flight to Another World by Robert Zimmerman, the reader comes to understand the comprehensive and far ranging significance, importance, value, and necessity of space exploration, development, and travel. Space is many things to many people, ranging from a government program, to excitement and adventure, to scientific exploration, to business opportunities and more. In Genesis, Zimmerman shows us how Apollo 8 paved the way for all humanity to learn from its history and begin the process of moving off Earth.The author accurately reports on the significance of the timing and the Cold War influences of Apollo 8 . While most space history books reporting on Apollo 8 do so factually and accurately, Zimmerman goes much deeper. He correctly identifies Apollo 8's broad ranging impact on our space program, society, and our nation's history. Zimmerman properly reports on the historical nature of the flight and the Christmas reading/message of the Apollo 8 crew . Zimmerman also recognizes the power represented by the actions of the Apollo crew that Christmas eve in 1968. That subtle power has contributed to our humanity, national space program, and our movement towards becoming a space-faring society. While some may be uncomfortable with Zimmerman's multi-dimensional and historical assessment of Apollo 8, I find his approach to this unique historical event in all history to be compelling! Reading Genesis has certainly enabled me to connect our place in space with our worldliness and spirituality. I see no reason to separate this historical event from these personal relationships and our future. This is an excellent book which I strongly recommend.

I happened to pick up this book after reading a biography of Christa MacAuliffe, which was the first book I've ever read on the space program. After completing it, I was very interested in reading more. I found Mr. Zimmerman's book to be an excellent choice for a reader like myself, who loves to read non-fiction, but was not looking for a scientific textbook. The author described the space mission in detail, while weaving in world and national events, as well as the personal backgrounds and family lives of the three astronauts. His description of the feelings of the wives prior to and during the flight was especially realistic for me, as I could imagine exactly how they felt during those long and lonely hours while their husbands were far away and and out of touch. Having it all happen during the holiday season made it even more significant for those that were left behind. Although I was a young adult in 1968, my memories are vague. I'm sure I followed the flight of Apollo 8 at the time, but memories of these space missions have all run together over the years. I was deeply saddened by the recent tragedy of the Columbia Space Shuttle. However, after reading Mr. Zimmerman's book, I was well aware of the dangers and the risks involved in training for and carrying out space travel, and how much effort goes into a successful mission, especially one with the historic implications of Apollo 8. This book was very well written, and educational as well as enjoyable to read. The photographs and captions were an excellent illustration of what the astronauts actually saw on their incredible journey beyond our earth. Hard to believe they traveled so far, but the book makes it all so vivid and realistic. I now have a clear understanding of the significance of Apollo 8 to all future missions to the moon.

This book was written for the student of history by a student of history. If you have read other accounts of the Apollo program but longed for more detail about this specific flight, you will love this book. Mr. Zimmerman does an excellent job of putting Apollo 8 in its historical context.

The book Genesis is one of the best books I've ever read. It tells the story of the mission Apollo 8 while icluding details about the history of the space program and the cold war without taking away from the story's plot. I especually like the fact that some of the chapter titles were actually quotes from people in the story. Over all, it was a great and well written book.