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Author
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Topic: How Apollo Flew to the Moon (W. David Woods)
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cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 05-05-2007 04:07 AM
   
How Apollo Flew to the Moon
by W. David Woods Out of the technological battlefield of World War II came a team of gifted German engineers and designers who developed the vengeance weapon, the V-2, which evolved into the peaceful, powerful Saturn V rocket to take men to the Moon. David Woods tells the exciting story, starting from America's post war astronautical research facilities, that used the V-2 for the development of the robust, resilient and reliable Saturn V launcher. He describes the initial launches through manned orbital spaceflights, comprehensively detailing each step, including computer configuration, the role of ground control, trajectory planning, lunar orbiting, separation of the lander, walking and working on the Moon, retrieval of the lunar astronauts and returning to Earth in this massive technical accomplishment. - Paperback: 300 pages
- Publisher: Praxis; 1 edition (October 2007)
- ISBN-10: 0387716750
- ISBN-13: 978-0387716756
Found this upcoming book (not a great cover); I'm puzzled. Is this meant to be a companion to The Apollo Journals? I'm asking because David Woods (the same person?) is the co-author of the Apollo Flight Journal, companion of the Apollo Lunar Surface Journal. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 05-05-2007 09:16 AM
According to David Harland: This is a book by David Woods, editor of the Apollo Flight Journal. It explains how the manner in which Apollo flew to the moon. It isn't about a given mission, but uses anecdotes from different missions to illustrate points of interest along the way. |
wdw
Member Posts: 58
From: Scotland
Registered: May 2007
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posted 05-12-2007 04:38 PM
quote:
Originally posted by cspg:
Found this upcoming book (not a great cover);
Sorry the cover missed its mark. It was inspired by pulp SF covers from decades ago. For me, Apollo was like seeing science fiction come true.David Harland's summing up is much nearer the mark than the dreadful writeup Amazon used. My intention with the book was to bring together what I had learned when compiling the Apollo Flight Journal. It specifically covers only the flight portions of the missions. Similar to the film "For All Mankind" it is like a virtual flight, going through all the stages of the journey. |
davidcwagner
Member Posts: 798
From: Albuquerque, New Mexico
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 05-12-2007 11:27 PM
How does one get an copy autographed by the author? |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 05-13-2007 03:38 AM
quote:
Originally posted by wdw:
Sorry the cover missed its mark. It was inspired by pulp SF covers from decades ago. For me, Apollo was like seeing science fiction come true.
David, welcome aboard! Thanks for the info. And if the cover isn't good, what truly matters is its contents, right? |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 06-20-2007 10:08 AM
Release Date: October 1, 2007.Here's the Springer (US) web page with the table of contents. |
Gilbert
Member Posts: 1328
From: Carrollton, GA USA
Registered: Jan 2003
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posted 06-20-2007 02:53 PM
Personally, I like the cover, but I'm a big fan of SF pulps. |
wdw
Member Posts: 58
From: Scotland
Registered: May 2007
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posted 01-29-2008 05:00 PM
I hope it is appropriate to let folk know that my book, 'How Apollo Flew to the Moon' is starting to become available through the normal outlets.It is my attempt to bring the knowledge I gained while compiling the 'Apollo Flight Journal' into a narrative. The book is intended to be thorough and comprehensive while at the same time, amenable to be read by the general reader. David R. Scott, commander Apollo 15, has provided a Foreword to the book. The first two chapters bring the less familiar reader up to speed with Apollo's achievements. There is an introduction to the Apollo programme and a brief history of all its flights. For the next twelve chapters, I trace through every stage of Apollo's journeys to the Moon, from launch to recovery, describing the technology, techniques and procedures that were required on each mission to get three humans to our nearest celestial neighbour, and get two of them to its surface. The book avoids discussion of surface crews' exploration. It includes a glossary and over 150 photos and illustrations plus 16 colour plates. Though I deal with prosaic matters such as shaving and personal hygiene, particular emphasis is given to the manoeuvres involved with lunar orbit insertion, powered descent and the complexities of rendezvous and docking. Much use is made of the crews' dialogue as I dip into specific missions to demonstrate how things worked, and sometimes how they failed. My hope is to both strengthen my explanations and to inject the human element into the text to hopefully avoid making it too dry. I like to think that this is the book I wish I had when my interest in Apollo was reawakened in the mid-nineties. Constructive nitpicks are welcomed. I commend this book to the forum. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 01-30-2008 12:32 AM
David, my copy is in the mail somewhere...And your book should normally appear in NASA's History Office February 08 quarterly newsletter!  |
Spoon
Member Posts: 143
From: Cumbria, UK
Registered: May 2006
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posted 01-30-2008 07:08 AM
David, I received my copy of your book last week.Currently I am about two thirds of the way way through, and would just like to pass on my congratulations as it does "exactly what it says on the tin!" I am familiar with most of the topics covered (in part due to your online work with the Flight Journal), but never have I found them all together in one volume, or explained in such an easy to grasp manner. The drawings are very instructive and help explain topics such as inertial and orbital rate attitude, for example, as well as staples such as powered descent and direct or short rendezvous. The technique of telling the story of a "typical" lunar mission by interweaving tales from all the Apollo sorties, including problems unique to a particular mission and how they were solved (such as the Apollo 15 docking tunnel incident) is very successful and serves the purpose successfully. The many photographs also help illustrate what is happening at each mission segment for those unfamiliar with the technology involved. To echo your own sentiments,I wish I had owned a copy of this book when I began to educate myself about the Apollo programme, over 30 years ago... Your undoubted enthusiasm for and unparalleled knowledge of the subject translates extremely well and will be appreciated by all who visit collectSPACE. Your work has finally done justice to a topic so often brushed over or simply neglected, and I hope it reaches the wider audience it deserves! Highly recommended! |
wdw
Member Posts: 58
From: Scotland
Registered: May 2007
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posted 02-05-2008 04:16 PM
Thanks for your very positive assessment of the book. Your comments are very much appreciated.Re. earlier comments about the cover, I was pleased when I got a copy in my hands and saw how it really got the eye. It is much punchier than I expected. I just hope it gets folk opening the book. |
kneecaps
New Member Posts:
From:
Registered:
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posted 03-02-2008 04:07 PM
David, I had not heard of your book until I came across this thread. I ordered it at once! The journals are a fab read so I'm compelled to order the book. Can't wait to read it! |
wdw
Member Posts: 58
From: Scotland
Registered: May 2007
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posted 03-29-2008 10:59 AM
In view of this forum being based around collectors, is there much interest in folk wanting signed copies of 'How Apollo Flew to the Moon'? I'd be happy to supply some as the book seems to be getting a good reception among the Apollo community. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 03-29-2008 11:10 AM
David, as promised your book did appear in the latest issue of NASA's History Office newsletter (Feb.08). |
wdw
Member Posts: 58
From: Scotland
Registered: May 2007
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posted 03-29-2008 11:42 AM
Thanks for letting me know about that. It's great to see it there. The text used is the old one written by someone at Springer based on a very early synopsis and they give too much emphasis to a short historical section at the start of the book. It has then found it's way into every online site.Hopefully, as time goes on, that text will be replaced by better copy, perhaps along the lines of what I've put up in the book's website at hafttm.com |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1634
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 03-29-2008 07:43 PM
I'm about 3/4 way through the book and am enjoying it very much. Great job of the right level of technical detail so the reader doesn't get lost or go to sleep, and adding a personal touch by adding quotes and comments from the astronauts. Very enjoyable read! |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 03-29-2008 11:49 PM
quote:
Originally posted by wdw:
Hopefully, as time goes on, that text will be replaced by better copy, perhaps along the lines of what I've put up in the book's website at hafttm.com
Had I been aware of the website, I would have submitted another text description of your book (which I thought was not good, to say the least). And your Jan. 29 post came too late as I had a Jan. 4 deadline. Sorry about that. |
wdw
Member Posts: 58
From: Scotland
Registered: May 2007
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posted 04-06-2008 11:46 AM
No worries. I guess I was really bemoaning the fact that the original blurb has become ubiquitous. quote:
Originally posted by MCroft04:
Very enjoyable read!
Thank you very much for your good words. I was given the freedom to write the book that suited me, and perhaps as a result, it also suits many others who are equally interested in the technical as well as human story of how Apollo got to the Moon. |
Larry McGlynn
Member Posts: 1255
From: Boston, MA
Registered: Jul 2003
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posted 04-06-2008 11:55 AM
It is one of the best books about the technical side of the Apollo missions that I have read. |
freshspot
unregistered
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posted 04-07-2008 04:13 AM
I concur with Larry's assessment. The book is terrific. It explains so many things about an Apollo flight that I wanted to know but didn't know where to turn for details. Congratulations David.
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MCroft04
Member Posts: 1634
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 04-07-2008 06:18 AM
quote:
Originally posted by wdw:
In view of this forum being based around collectors, is there much interest in folk wanting signed copies of 'How Apollo Flew to the Moon'? I'd be happy to supply some as the book seems to be getting a good reception among the Apollo community.
If our paths ever cross (Nov 7-9?) I would definitely appreciate an autograph in my copy. This is a great book that I'm sure I will use over and over to pound some of these complex concepts into my meager gray matter.
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wdw
Member Posts: 58
From: Scotland
Registered: May 2007
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posted 04-08-2008 03:50 AM
Thanks guys. I appreciate your good words.MCroft04, with you being the USA and me in Scotland, there's not much chance of our paths crossing. Nevertheless, if folk can pay the appropriate postage, I would be happy to sign copies. Over the coming year, I may be around the IAC congress late September/Early October in Glasgow, and I am giving a talk for the Astronomical Society of Glasgow on December 18, near the 40th anniversary of Apollo 8. |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 04-08-2008 04:53 PM
I bought the book thanks to this forum. Can't wait to get it.Thanks to all! |
wdw
Member Posts: 58
From: Scotland
Registered: May 2007
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posted 09-11-2008 04:45 AM
Readers might be interested to know two items relating to 'How Apollo Flew to the Moon'.First, I am attending the IAC2008 event in Glasgow, UK, at the end of September. Springer will have a stand there and I am slated to be signing books for them on Tuesday, 30 September at around 11am. Also, I set up a website to support the book. The main purpose of this site is to allow a degree of feedback for readers. I have a 'points arising' page and in there are various issues that readers have raised via an email address. I welcome feedback and hope that if the book gets a reprint or second edition, I can implement it. |
garymilgrom
Member Posts: 1966
From: Atlanta, GA
Registered: Feb 2007
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posted 09-11-2008 08:36 AM
All: I have over 100 space books with a bias toward Gemini and Apollo. This is one of the best books I've ever read. If you are a technical person and you want to understand some of the fine points of these flights, you must read this book. It is not a dry textbook, it is interesting, fascinating reading. Other space enthusiasts who received this as a gift from me were also very impressed with the book. I recommend it very highly. |
paul.i.w
Member Posts: 65
From: UK
Registered: Feb 2006
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posted 09-12-2008 02:40 AM
I'd agree - the book is really fascinating and informative. There is so much here that is explained that I have always wondered about! Can't recommend it enough. |
MCroft04
Member Posts: 1634
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 09-12-2008 08:20 AM
I'll throw in my support for the book as well. Very enjoyable with lots of info; I use it as a resource regularly. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 10-02-2010 09:31 AM
A second edition is planned for February 2011: How Apollo Flew to the Moon |
JPSastro
Member Posts: 170
From: Tucson, Arizona
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 10-02-2010 01:15 PM
Will the 2nd edition just be a reprint of the original or will it have any new info added that was missed from the first? Usually 2nd editions will have new cover art and new introductions and nothing new factually. Anyone know? |
hermit
Member Posts: 186
From: Scotland
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted 10-02-2010 02:32 PM
quote:
Originally posted by JPSastro:
Will the 2nd edition just be a reprint of the original or will it have any new info added that was missed from the first?
I understand that it has a new cover, an improved form of the existing text, new sections dealing with the lunar surface aspects of Apollo, and larger and more colourful illustrations. |
JPSastro
Member Posts: 170
From: Tucson, Arizona
Registered: Jan 2009
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posted 10-02-2010 04:12 PM
Thanks for the info. I have the 1st edition and indeed it is an excellent work. Looking forward to the updated volume. |
wdw
Member Posts: 58
From: Scotland
Registered: May 2007
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posted 10-17-2010 03:11 PM
My intention is that the second edition will build on lessons learned from the first - including very helpful feedback from readers. There are additional technical tales and, most importantly, I've added the equivalent of a large chapter on the surface portions of the mission where I look at the issues around living and working on the Moon as well as the equipment used.There are to be many more colour pictures and generally more illustrations throughout. |
arjuna
unregistered
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posted 04-24-2011 07:37 PM
Is there a release date set for the 2nd edition? |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 04-25-2011 01:07 AM
Amazon.com cancelled my order for lack of availability from their supplier... |
wdw
Member Posts: 58
From: Scotland
Registered: May 2007
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posted 05-03-2011 01:22 PM
The current situation with the second edition of 'How Apollo Flew to the Moon' is that a (lengthy) index has just been completed and should be my last task before final publication. I cannot say how quickly things will move from here but I imagine it won't be too long before the book appears.David |
hermit
Member Posts: 186
From: Scotland
Registered: Jun 2009
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posted 05-03-2011 05:50 PM
quote:
Originally posted by wdw:
I imagine it won't be too long before the book appears.
I would estimate October or November... |
Pat Gleeson
Member Posts: 44
From: Limerick, Ireland
Registered: Aug 2009
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posted 05-04-2011 02:09 PM
I look forward to that I missed out last time around. |
cspg
Member Posts: 6210
From: Geneva, Switzerland
Registered: May 2006
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posted 06-25-2011 01:40 AM
quote:
Originally posted by arjuna:
Is there a release date set for the 2nd edition?
September 28, 2011 (Europe release) according to Springer's web site. |
wdw
Member Posts: 58
From: Scotland
Registered: May 2007
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posted 07-09-2011 05:29 PM
I've been keeping an eye on Springer's website for How Apollo Flew to the Moon and was delighted to see that they have reduced the intended UK price of the new edition to £24.99. I guess (and hope) that when this passes through to Amazon UK, they will honour any pre-orders at this price. |
wdw
Member Posts: 58
From: Scotland
Registered: May 2007
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posted 08-23-2011 05:05 AM
The release date for the 'New and Expanded Edition of How Apollo Flew to the Moon' seems to have moved up a bit. Amazon in the US are saying that it will be in stock on 25 August.In preparation for its release, I've revamped the book's website. |
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