Destination Moon (Smithsonian)

The Apollo space program was the largest technological undertaking of all time, and let to the greatest adventure of the 20^th century. Born of the cold war, it was moved forward by the passion of 100,000 workers and $20 billion over ten years.

Over that time, 12 courageous individuals stepped out onto the lunar surface and thus changed the history of humankind, changing us into a space-faring civilization.

And then, it was gone. Three years, 9 missions, six men on the surface of the moon. They explored, they experimented, and they came home.

Here in one volume are the transcripted voices of the partipants, with expert commentary and retrospective reminiscences, explained and put into context. From the triumphs of Neil Armstrong to Buzz Aldrin, to the near disaster of Apollo 13 ("Houston, we've got a problem"), it's all here -- the science, the adventure, the glory, the letdown. One of the great stories of humankind's reaching for the stars.