Wernher Von Braun: Crusader for Space, a Biographical Memoir

This is the kind of biographies that are a delight to read. As the writer said in the beginning, their focus was on writing a book about the person Von Braun, who he was. Other editions dwell on rocket science in more detail, and even more have picture collections of the many years that spanned Von Braun's work, from Peenemunde until the man on the moon. Both authors have been privileged to know Von Braun and have been working with him for many years. Probably this is the reason why this will remain the definitive biography, since Von Braun passed away in 1977 and so will his generation sooner or later. Not always is the story chronological, since the authors choose a more loose approach, as to make the story and the person come out better. They succeeded. This book is full of interesting details, not only about the works of Von Braun, but also about the history and times in the war until the space age and finally, a sensitive account on his last years that could only have come from writers who were close to him. Of course it is also crammed with interesting quotes from all involved. All in all, it is a well-succeeded attempt to create an interesting and trustworthy (and not too long) account of who the man was. This book has many parallels to the Heisenberg's Uncertainty story, both men well ahead of their time, probably doing the right thing to continue their work anyway, since otherwise their refusal would have meant no stopping of the war machine, although others of us might think a Ghandi-style refusal of developing anything for a country under dictatorship would have been a better option. The authors keep it as neutrally as possible so it is for the reader, after absorbing the facts, to think what he wants of it all. No doubt, as the reader progresses in the book and becomes aware of how the sky has been the limit in the 20th century almost only because of this man, it will become clear that the world has been a more interesting place with Von Braun in it. Highly recommended!

This wonderful book, that takes in account the says of a lot of people that really lived and worked with Dr. von Braun shows what a great person he was. His contribution to the space effort is clearly shown here. The companion book (the illustrated Memoir) shows a lot of pictures of his life. If somebody want to know how the space was won, MUST read this book.

This book by Dr. Ernst Stuhlinger & Fredrick Ordway provides the reader with a good insight into Dr. Wehner Von Braun and the space program. My father had the pleasure of working closely with Dr. Von Braun in promoting Madison County Alabama where much of the actual development and testing of the rocket engines occurred. He always said the Dr. Von Braun was a man who got things done and was one of the best salesmen for Madison County and N.A.S.A. that has ever lived. A excellent book on Dr. Von Braun and his team of german rocket scientists.