Story of Apollo 11 (Cornerstones of Freedom)

The moon landings by the Apollo astronauts will always be one of the greatest technical feats ever performed by humans. It was also a time of great unity among humans. Nearly one-fourth of all people either watched or listened to the landing on television or radio. It was a spectacular event, the first time that humans ever walked on the surface of another world. This book is a brief, yet reasonably thorough synopsis of the American space program that led to the moon landings. It begins with the stirring words by President Kennedy, "I believe this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to the Earth." Not mere words, but a challenge to do what many thought impossible within the time frame. All American students should be exposed to the thrill of achievement that was the American space program in the 1960's. It was a time of great national pride, a common beacon that all Americans could look at and be proud of. Written at the level of the late elementary school student, this book is an excellent description of those wondrous times and achievements.